Not even an airline ticket to Hawaii is enough to stop new Fremantle Docker Madizen Wilkins from making her long-awaited AFLW debut against Collingwood.
After training with Fremantle since the start of the pre-season, the 21-year-old has been called into the team for Sunday afternoon’s Pride Round clash with the Magpies.
Teammates couldn’t hide their excitement when Senior Coach Trent Cooper shared the news ahead of Round 8.
“When I asked Madizen if she wanted to play - or go on holidays as she had already planned - I couldn’t even finish my sentence before she answered,” said Cooper.
“She said she’s happy to put that on the backburner to grab the opportunity, so that shows just how keen she is.”
Wilkins has played three WAFLW seasons with Subiaco since moving to WA from Queensland.
Cooper says the Club has been watching her development and she played a pre-season game against Richmond in Mandurah ahead of this AFLW season.
“She had a really solid year for Subiaco where she settled at half back after playing multiple positions in previous seasons,” said Cooper.
“She’s strong at the ball, has depth in her kick and is really competitive.
“She had an opportunity to play with us against Richmond in our pre-season game down at Peel and she’s been really keen to learn in every training session.”
Cooper indicated that Wilkins would be used in defence against Collingwood.
“She’ll help give our regular defenders an opportunity for a rest at different stages and we have great confidence she can go out and play on a variety of players,” said Cooper.
