Fremantle’s Female Talent Academy was in full swing again on Tuesday night at Victor George Kailis Oval, with Gemma Houghton talking about the excitement building within the group.

The Talent Academy not only allows Fremantle’s AFLW players to continue to work together during the WAWFL season, but gives prospective unsigned players a chance to show off their talents and push for a list spot in October’s draft.

“I’m really enjoying the training at the moment and the group of girls that we have right now, it’s really exciting,” Houghton said.

“The intensity is a lot higher here, as we’re obviously still growing at the WAWFL level, but the group of girls we have here is really good.”

To avoid overworking the players due to their current training loads in the WAWFL, these sessions focus primarily on building skills and injury prevention exercises.

Houghton said the training loads will gradually increase as the WAWFL season winds up, with the grand final to be held on 26 August. 

“We’re slowly building into it at the training academy,” Houghton said.

“Our loads are being monitored but we’re putting 100 per cent in here and 100 per cent at the WAWFL.” 

Houghton has played every game bar round one for Swan Districts this season, kicking 13 goals from 12 games.

The 179cm half-forward is looking to help Swans push for the finals, with the reigning premiers sitting third behind ladder leaders East Fremantle and Peel Thunderbirds.

“It’s going well. I’m playing a lot more games this year and consecutive games, so I’m just really enjoying the change,” Houghton said.

“At the moment I’m playing half-forward. A couple times I’ve been thrown into the ruck but I’m happy to play wherever the ball is.

“We’re sitting third and finals are two games away. We’ve got East Fremantle this weekend at home, so it should be a really exciting game.”