Fremantle have made two changes at the selection table for Saturday’s qualifying final clash with North Melbourne at Arden Street Oval.
Freo will welcome back All-Australian key defender Janelle Cuthbertson after a lengthy stint on the sidelines following a broken jaw, while versatile midfielder Bianca Webb will also return for her third game of 2022.
The pair come back into the side for Maggie MacLachlan and Jasmin Stewart, who have both been omitted.
Meanwhile, North Melbourne have named an unchanged line-up from their round ten side, see their team below.
The last time the two sides met resulted in a 10-point win to North Melbourne in a round five clash at North Hobart Oval, ending Freo’s unbeaten run to start this season.
Senior Coach Trent Cooper said it was great to welcome back the calibre of Cuthbertson and Webb for the important finals test.
“Having an All-Australian defender come back in is great, she has obviously been out for a long time but has been able to do a heap of running, so she is really physically fit,” Cooper said.
“She has also been able to do a lot of skill work, it has just been about the contact stuff over the last couple of weeks, but she is ready to go.
“Having ‘JC’ back in the side also gives us the options to play an Emma O’Driscoll or Aine Tighe type up forward if needed.
“Bianca Webb gives us another dimension too, and she is a player that can play across all three lines.”
Fremantle’s squad travelled to Melbourne on Thursday afternoon and will complete a captain’s run on Friday as part of Freo’s final preparations ahead of the final.
Cooper believed the feeling amongst the group was high, as Freo embark on their fourth consecutive AFLW finals series.
“It’s really good, training on Wednesday night was as good as it has been all year which was really pleasing,” Cooper said.
“We’re in Melbourne now and there is a relaxed but very focused vibe.
“Our final training session was at Victoria Park, which is where we did all our training when we were over here in the hub earlier this year, so it has got fond memories and we are looking forward to, hopefully, producing some similar results.”
Bouncedown for the clash is at 2.10pm AEDT (11:10am WST), with the game streamed live nationally on 7Mate and Fox Sports 503, as well as streamed live on Kayo and the official AFL Women’s app.
FREMANTLE TEAM
Defenders: Laura Pugh, Janelle Cuthbertson, Ange Stannett, Aine Tighe, Jess Low
Midfielders: Ebony Antonio, Kiara Bowers, Steph Cain
Forwards: Gemma Houghton, Roxy Roux, Gabby O’Sullivan, Kara Antonio, Emma O’Driscoll
Followers: Mim Strom, Hayley Miller, Sarah Verrier
Interchange: Bianca Webb, Airlie Runnalls, Dana East, Mikayla Hyde, Sarah Wielstra
Emergencies: Maggie MacLachlan, Amy Franklin
NORTH MELBOURNE TEAM
B: 31. Danielle Hardiman, 20. Jasmine Ferguson
HB: 36. Brooke Brown, 9. Emma Kearney, 8. Aileen Gilroy
C: 10. Kaitlyn Ashmore, 25. Jasmine Garner, 3. Bella Eddey
HF: 1. Sophie Abbatangelo, 43. Grace Campbell, 22. Ellie Gavalas
F: 60. Emma King, 16. Tahlia Randall
R: 26. Kim Rennie, 35. Jenna Bruton, 7. Ash Riddell
I/C: 17. Sarah Wright, 23. Mia King, 12. Nicole Bresnehan, 11. Daisy Bateman, 2. Daria Bannister
