New Fremantle rookie recruit Lisa Webb’s incredible rise to the AFLW ranks could be attributed to an extremely supportive environment, but it's also clear the former elite runner has done everything in her power to make the most of her opportunities.
Webb says she’s been fortunate to be surrounded by an influential support group, from her teammates at WAWFL club Coastal Titans to her husband Marc, the senior development coach of Fremantle’s men’s team.
She also leaned on her father, an athletics coach, and co-worker from the physical education department at Newman College in two-time Adelaide premiership player, Matt Connell.
Even her two and a half year old football obsessed son, Ollie, has been crucial to initiating family outings to the park, where a footy has always made an appearance.
Webb’s journey to becoming a Freo Docker started just one year ago. After being surrounded by football for most of her life and coaching the game at Newman College, the 33-year-old is kicking herself for not taking up the game earlier.
“I’ve been coaching the girls and boys football at Newman College for about nine years,” Webb said.
“I love it and would use any excuse to get involved in the drills with Marc or at school. Obviously, with Marc playing at Subi for 10 years, I didn’t miss a game for most of those years, so I’ve been really passionate about football.
“I just don’t know why I didn’t play it!”
Webb’s meteoric rise could be attributed to an impressive work ethic and skill set developed from her time as a heptathlete, as well as her inquisitive nature to learning everything she can about football.
A silver medallist at a national level in the U20 division, Webb developed a range of abilities perfect for her eventual switch to football - mastering Heptathlon’s seven events; 200m, 800m, 100m hurdles, high jump, long jump, shot put and javelin.
Despite enjoying her time in athletics, Webb said she’s been drawn to the team environment football provides.
“I’ve been doing athletics since I was young, I loved it,” Webb said.
“Once I started playing football though, with the team sport and team environment, it’s great to go to training with a group of girls who are passionate and know what they want to do.”
With her husband being an expert of analysing tapes from both Fremantle and Peel Thunder games, Lisa admitted to slipping some Coastal Titans tapes his way to get his expert advice.
“Marc's super excited. He’s been really supportive of me, he always has been,” Webb said.
“Whether it’s my training sessions or watching footy on the weekend, where I’d pause foxtel and ask him a couple of questions about what happened – he’s been really good.
“The poor guy, he’s also been having to do a lot of Peel and Freo tapes and I’d tap hin on the shoulder and give him a few Coastal Titans tapes!
“I’d edit them myself to make it a bit easier on him. He’s been a great sounding board. You don’t realise how often questions pop up, so he does cop a lot of them from me.”
Talking just hours after finding out the news of her selection, Webb said she was bombarded with texts, particularly from her Coastal Titans teammates - many of whom will train and potentially play alongside her at Freo.
“The texts have been coming through,” Webb said.
“I couldn’t ask for a more supportive bunch of girls down at Titans. (Fremantle assistant coach and former Titans senior coach) Martine Pearman’s been fantastic too.
“They’re so supportive. Hayley Miller, Hooks (Dana Hooker), Turbo (Kiara Bowers)…they’ve been unbelievable in helping me with my development.
“Even after training when they could have easily gone home, they’ll help me with a couple of extra things if I need to. They’re just fantastic as I get to see what elite footballers do. It’s great to have that around the club.”
