Fremantle fought hard but ultimately fell short at David Greys Arena in Mandurah with a 17-point loss to Adelaide in a pre-season clash on Saturday.

The reigning premier Crows showed why they remain the team to beat in 2020, with their six-goal onslaught in the second quarter making the difference in a 8.4 (52) to 5.5 (35) win.

Outside of the disappointing second term, Fremantle won the other three quarters including an impressive effort in the fourth while kicking into the wind.

In what was a high-intensity clash, Fremantle were able to match Adelaide for significant periods of the game, however the difference was the Crows’ ability to make more of their opportunities and catch Freo on the counter.

Gemma Houghton (three goals), Gabby O’Sullivan and Ebony Antonio all hit the scoreboard, and the forward line will be further boosted by the likely return of Sabreena Duffy for round one against Geelong at Fremantle Oval in a fortnight.

Houghton helped give Freo the lead early with two goals in the opening term and she added a third in the final quarter with an impressive running effort to soccer the ball home.

The day was soured by a knee injury to ruck Aine Tighe, with the Irishwoman being sent for scans to determine the extent of the injury.

Despite having limited time on the track, and playing limited minutes this pre-season, captain Kara Antonio looked at her fierce best and led Freo in the middle before being rested for the second half.

Young ruck Mim Strom held her own and competed strongly in the middle following the Tighe injury, going up against Jess Foley, who was rated this week as one of the best rucks in the AFLW by Champion Data.

With Kara Antonio and Kiara Bowers on limited minutes, young midfielder Jasmin Stewart impressed and seems a likely debutant for round one.

Katie-Jayne Grieve also brought her trademark intensity and worked hard in the midfield.

O’Sullivan starred up front playing a hand in many of Freo’s goals and delivered one of her own in the final term.

Janelle Cuthbertson was again strong down back after an impressive showing in last week’s hitout against West Coast. The former tennis player has taken on a key defensive role and is proving to be a great find from Freo’s 2019 draft haul.

Freo have two weeks to build for their opening round clash against the Cats, played at Fremantle Oval on Sunday 9 February.

FREO 2.1 2.2 3.4 5.5 (35)

CROWS 1.1 7.3 7.3 8.4 (52)

GOALS: Houghton (3), E Antonio, O’Sullivan

BEST: Houghton, O’Sullivan, K Antonio, Strom, Cuthbertson, Stannett