Fremantle have brought top-up player Mikayla Western into the team that will face Melbourne this afternoon at Optus Stadium with Kara Antonio, Ebony Antonio and Emma O’Driscoll all ruled out under the AFL’s Health and Safety Protocols.
Originally named as emergencies, Ann McMahon and Maggie MacLachlan have come into the team, with MacLachlan to make her AFLW debut.
MacLachlan was added to Fremantle’s list following the 2020 NAB AFLW Draft but did not break through for a debut in her first year at the Club.
She has instead pushed her case with her WAFLW club Subiaco, where she has impressed as a skilful intercept defender.
As Fremantle have just 20 available players for the match, they have received permission from the AFL to bring Western into the team.
The sister of Fremantle AFL player Joel, Western plays for Claremont in the WAFLW and will start on the interchange. The forward is familiar to Fremantle players after taking part in the Club’s intraclub match over the summer. She will wear the number 37 for the game.
Bouncedown for the clash is at 4pm, with the game broadcast live on the Seven Network, Fox Footy and also streamed live on Kayo and the official AFL Women’s app.
