Channel 7 have highlighted their five Freo players to watch as the NAB AFL Women’s competition kicks off this weekend.
Freo’s season commences against the Western Bulldogs on Saturday 4 February at VU Whitten Oval, with the clash expected to be a heavyweight battle between two of the league’s most favoured teams.
The game will be broadcast live nationally on Channel 7 and on Fox Footy, with bouncedown at 4:40pm (WST).
To see a full list of Fremantle’s AFLW players, click here.
According to Channel 7's Adrian Barich, here are the five Freo players to watch in the upcomming AFLW season.
Akec Chuot
Chuot will lead Fremantle in the ruck as one of the tallest players in the competition. In Fremantle’s scratch match against Adelaide in Darwin, Chuot was a standout at stoppages, helping feed Fremantle’s midfield while winning plenty of her own ball.
Kara Donnellan
Fremantle’s inaugural women’s captain, Kara Donnellan is expected to highlight the midfield as the team’s marquee player. Donnellan played for Melbourne under head coach Michelle Cowan in the exhibition matches from 2013 to 2016. For the past three years, Donnellan has successfully spearheaded the Swan Districts side in the WAWFL, leading the Swans to two premierships in 2014 and 2016.
Hayley Miller
Miller is a hard running midfielder/defender, taken with pick four in the inaugural AFLW National Draft. Miller has great ability with the potential to grow into one of the elite players in the competition.
Gemma Houghton
A standout-out in a talent search day, Houghton came to the club from basketball, without playing a game of football. It didn’t show in Fremantle’s scratch match against Adelaide, with the athletic Houghton one of the best on ground. Houghton is the sister of former Fremantle player Joel.
Kim Mickle
An Australian Olympian and Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist, Kim Mickle is a wildcard in the side. Mickle had an interrupted pre-season as she recovers from a shoulder injury sustained at the Rio Olympic Games, kicking four goals in a scratch match against a WA State Talent Academy side.
HOW TO WATCH FREMANTLE'S UPCOMING AFLW GAMES
Round 1. Western Bulldogs v Fremantle, 4:40pm (WST) Saturday 4 February at VU Whitten Oval
Broadcast live nationally Channel 7mate and Fox Footy
Round 2. Fremantle v Brisbane, 4:05pm (WST) Sunday 12 February (WST) at Fremantle Oval
With free entry, there's every reason to get down to Fremantle Oval to support Freo in their first game at home!
AFLW fixture and broadcast information
