Fremantle’s AFLW players have returned for night one of pre-season with purpose, after the majority of the group clocked personal best runs in a 2km time trial on Thursday night.

Kiara Bowers was at her usual best, finishing first with yet another personal best run.

The endurance athlete finished ahead of Philipa Seth in second, followed by a tied finish for third between Ebony Antonio and Gabby O’Sullivan.

Bowers said that Fremantle’s AFLW high performance manager Kate Starre had set a target for the players to return even fitter than last season.

“A time trial obviously means that it’s the first night of pre-season, this is what we come here,” Bowers said.

“It’s good to get that done, and now we can get stuck in and kick the footballs.

“We set a target in the pre-season for everyone to come back fitter than we were the previous season.

“It obviously puts us in good stead for the season ahead, and I think a lot of girls if not most girls got a personal best tonight - we are ready to go.”

Bowers was impressed with the time trial performances of the young talent acquired in the recent NAB AFLW Draft, including the likes of Airlie Runnalls (seventh) and Jess Low (fifth).

Second-year player Maggie MacLachlan also recorded a personal best time after doing running sessions alongside Bowers through the off-season. 

“(Airlie and Jess) are quick and fast on the field, I’ve done a few trainings with them already and to see them run tonight, they were incredible,” Bowers said.

“We have a fit team here, and for those two to come in and inject that speed is exactly what we need - I’m really happy to have them onboard.

“I’ve done a couple of runs with Maggie because we both live near each other…I think she’s done a bit of running away from magpies recently, so that’s probably where she’s got her PB’s from!”