Fremantle upset North Melbourne by 38 points to earn a spot in the AFLW preliminary finals against minor premiers Adelaide but must wait to learn when they will be play.
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The AFL is expected to announce a revised plan on Monday after the Saturday's second elimination final between Brisbane and Collingwood was postponed due to a COVID outbreak in the Magpies squad.
One scenario is the preliminary finals would be bumped back a week, which would mean top two sides Adelaide and Melbourne could have almost three weeks between games.
Alternatively the postponed game could be played midweek, which may offer the winner only a short lead-up to their preliminary final.
"It's a really difficult situation for the AFL because whatever they do, someone is going to be disadvantaged," said Fremantle coach Trent Cooper after his team's 11.3.69 to 4.7.31 triumph over the Kangaroos at Arden Street on Saturday.
"That's been 2022, things have happened to different sides. They have to look after Brisbane and Melbourne who earned the right to not play off too short a break.
"I said to the girls 'we'll prepare to play next Saturday at this stage and if that doesn't happen we'll adjust as everyone needs to do this year'."
Fremantle's win, only the second finals victory in their AFLW history, came despite losing the inside 50s (31-28).
Dockers captain Hayley Miller was outstanding with 21 possessions, six tackles and a crucial second-term goal, while she was also heavily involved in several scoring chains.
Kiara Bowers worked into the game with 21 touches and three tackles, with Cooper revealing the reigning AFLW best and fairest winner, who has missed games this season with a knee injury, was sore early.
"She was a bit stiff and sore. She wasn't really comfortable early but worked into the game and freed up beautifully," Cooper said.
"I think she had 16 (possessions) in the second half. We were a little bit worried about her this morning with a tight back, nothing to do with the knee, but she came through really well."
Cooper added that Sarah Wielstra would be "in doubt" for the Crows clash after failing to return following an ankle injury.
North coach Darren Crocker lamented his side's inability to capitalise on their inside 50s after their second straight elimination finals exit.
"that's been a little bit of an issue for us this year," Crocker said.
"That's one thing in reviewing the season we'll need to look closely at, how we get better bang for our buck going forward."
Australian Associated Press
