At times she's had to pinch herself, but Taylah Angel knows she's about to start her NAB AFL Women's career on Saturday against the Western Bulldogs, and she hopes to take everything in.
Angel was named on Thursday as one of six on the bench for game at VU Whitten Oval, but with unlimited interchanges in the women’s game, the midfielder is expected to get plenty of game-time against the heavily favoured Bulldogs side.
“I’m really excited, the group are really excited and we just want to get out there and play. It’s going to be a good game,” Angel said.
“Everyone will be up and about, and we can’t wait to take the field on Saturday night.
“It’s been a long journey to come to this point, and we’ve worked really hard as a group. We’re just all excited about it.”
The team is due to board a flight to Melbourne on Friday morning, and knuckle down and prepare for Saturday night’s test upon their arrival.
“We’ll fly out, and I think we get to Melbourne around late afternoon,” Angel said.
“We’ll do a bit of an education session on how we want to go about things against the Bulldogs, and we’ll make sure we do the right preparation.”
“I think all the teams in the league are going to be a great test, but the girls are really well prepared this week, and we’ve got some amazing talent. We’ve all bonded together so we’ll put on a good show and work hard as a team."
The opening game will be the biggest moment for the side since the first training session together as a team. At the inaugural session, Angel was one of the most animated, and was captured on camera sharing a special moment with Fremantle captain Kara Donnellan.
“It’s been such a massive build up to where we are now,” Angel said.
“Just being down here for that first training session, you really did have to pinch yourself to realise that this was happening.
“I honestly don’t know if I was saying anything (to Kara), but the smile and just one another grabbing each other says what we were thinking and how we felt at the time."
An excited Taylah Angel grabs the shoulders of Kara Donnellan at Fremantle's first AFLW training session (Pic: Phil Barnes)
Angel is hopeful of a big crowd for Saturday’s game as the hype builds around the league, even if most of the fans will be supporting the opposition.
“I think it’ll be great to see a lot of people down there, just for the support of women’s football,” Angel said.
“I don’t think the crowd will bother me too much, when you’re playing you can shut it out, so it’ll be great to see a lot of people down there no matter who they’re supporting.”
And a big crowd in Melbourne sets the table for a big home opener for Fremantle in round two, against Brisbane on Sunday 12 February at Fremantle Oval.
“I can’t wait for round two,” Angel said.
“This ground will be really packed and, hopefully, we can bring them a win.”
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 7 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
