The women’s game curtain raiser between the Fremantle Dockers and West Coast Eagles will add yet another chapter to the famed rivalry between the two clubs on Saturday.
Fremantle captain Renee Forth told media on Wednesday that although the opportunity to be part of the inaugural women’s derby clash was amazing, the goal would remain the same.
“Getting the tick next to the Dockers (name) would be great,” Forth laughed.
Forth said it would be important for her Freo teammates not to be daunted by the big stage of Domain Stadium.
“A lot of players will be out there, and haven’t been out on a big game before,” she said.
“We want to make sure they’re focused on their game and not to worry about what’s going on around them.”
Saturday will mark the first time that both Fremantle and West Coast will field a women’s side against each other, and the magnitude of the opportunity wasn’t lost on Forth.
“It’s a big honour and something I couldn’t have dreamt of,” she said.
“There are so many people out there than don’t know anything about female footy so we’ll be out there showing them what we’ve got.”
Showing the football world what the women can do involves attacking the ball with the same vigour and tenacity as their male counterparts, according to Forth.
“Obviously our bodies aren’t as big as the guys, so we’re not going to hit as loud but we still hit just as hard.”
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Fremantle head coach Pat Litherland echoed the sentiments of his captain, and championed the work ethic and approach that the teams have taken in preparation for the game.
“Their competitive spirit is just as good if not better than the men,” Litherland said.
“It’s an incredible situation to see these women fighting for the footy, winning contests and using the ball well.
Litherland said while the goal will always be to win the game, he also saw the first women’s derby as a key point in the development of women’s football in WA.
“A coach always wants to win but the philosophy of this weekend is all about developing players, growing the game, and making it a great spectacle for the people that come to the game on Saturday.”
Those lucky enough to be at the big game are encouraged to get to the game early to support your Freo women's team in the inaugural women's derby. Entry to Domain Stadium will be available from 2:30pm through gate eight and gate 19.
The Fremantle Dockers will be providing up to the minute coverage of the game on the @freodockers twitter account and the clash will be broadcast live on Fox Footy at 3.05pm, just press the red button.
