When Lisa Webb found out she would make her NAB AFL Women’s debut against Collingwood on Saturday at Optus Stadium, she was in hospital helping to look after her two-year-old son, Ollie.
Three days after Ollie’s overnight stay in Princes Margaret Hospital, Webb was running out in front of a record crowd of 41,975 and went on to star in Freo’s 13-point win.
To top things off, she and her husband Marc - a development coach at Fremantle – had bought a house that morning.
With so much going on in her life, Webb wasn’t going to let the largest ever crowd to witness a women’s football match faze her.
“Weirdly enough, I was quite calm before the game,” Webb said
“I was just looking forward to enjoying the experience. I tried to get out there nice and early and have a look and absorb the atmosphere.”
On debut, Webb racked up 17 disposals and seven marks to help Fremantle’s midfield have the ascendency, alongside Dana Hooker, captain Kara Donnellan and Lara Filocamo.
The 33-year-old was quick to pay credit to her teammates, however Webb’s efforts were all the more impressive considering she only took up football in 2017 after converting from competitive running.
“I just tried to work and use a bit of my run and I’ll have to have a look at the tapes,” Webb said.
“The aim was to play my role and do what I could to help out the team. They’re unbelievable and I just knew that whatever I did they’d always have my back.
“They’re just fantastic and it gave me goosebumps when I ran out with those girls for sure.”
While Webb’s efforts would have her in the conversation for the best on ground, she said it would be hard to go past Hooker, who collected 20 disposals and kicked two goals.
“Hooker was amazing, kicking a couple,” Webb said.
“But it was everyone, from our backs to our forwards. It was amazing seeing a couple take big hits and just get back up.
“To be honest, it was an even spread, everyone played their role and I think that’s why we got up in the end.”
Webb says her jumper number selection was strategic to be able to spend more time with Hooker and the captain.
“Kara’s exceptional, I love that girl,” Webb said.
“She’s just unbelievable. She’s taken me under he wing. She’s no.15 and I may have picked that so I can be between Hook and ‘Juddy’ to absorb all the things that comes with experience and being gun midfielders.
“I think I picked a pretty good number in the end.”
Most importantly, her son was well again and able to enjoy the day out at Optus Stadium.
“Ollie’s been a bit crook this week so he was in hospital,” Webb said.
“He’s got a few issues with his ears and is having some pretty bad vertigo.
“It’s really good he’s out and, as you can tell, he’s totally fine at the moment.”
Webb said the message from senior coach Michelle Cowan was to celebrate the win before quickly turning focus to next Sunday’s clash with Melbourne at Fremantle Oval.
“She said switch on but enjoy today,” Webb said.
“Obviously it’s a really good day for the club. Next Sunday we playe Melbourne so we have to recover well, prepare well and go again.”
