Fremantle are bracing for a cashed-up West Coast to raid their squad after a heartbreaking AFLW preliminary final defeat to Carlton at Ikon Park on the weekend.

The Dockers ended a brilliant season in disappointment with a 36-point loss to the Blues and must now prepare for the Eagles, who enter the competition next year, to recruit up to eight of their players under expansion rules.

“It’s a tough situation,” coach Trent Cooper said.

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“Other clubs have had to go through it in the eastern States and now it’s our turn. We knew this was happening. So one of our primary focus points was to make sure that we created an environment that the girls were happy with, enjoying and wanted to stay put.

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“There will be offers that financially will be better than what we can do because we just have to fit more in that salary cap and West Coast won’t have the existing players to have to worry about that as much.

“It will be a challenge but we think we’ve created an environment where the girls are really happy, they want to stay. But we do know that it’s possible that some will leave for financial reasons.”

Play Video Chloe Dalton kicks a ripper for Carlton in the AFLW prelim against Fremantle. The West Australian Video Chloe Dalton kicks a ripper for Carlton in the AFLW prelim against Fremantle.

Fremantle will conduct exit meetings this week and gauge their players’ intentions ahead of the sign and trade period from April 8-18.

It is understood the Dockers have already begun discussions to retain some of their key players, including Kiara Bowers.

Cooper said they would make use of two-year contracts now on offer.

He said they would look at trade and free agency if they had to but his preference was to keep the group he has.

“If we have to recruit, we’ve definitely got a hit list for that,” Cooper said. “But I’d be absolutely stoked if we could go in with what we had this year.”

Cooper admitted playing four consecutive must-win games might have finally taken its toll against Carlton.

Captain Kara Donnellan was a late withdrawal with knee soreness and star midfielder Dana Hooker played under duress with cartilage damage to her sternum and a corked quad.