Fremantle vice-captain Ange Stannett says Sunday’s Pride Round clash with Collingwood can inspire the entire community.
Freo players are embracing the round – decorating a wall at their Cockburn headquarters with pride messages, while their training ground is also sporting rainbow colours across the wing and 50m arcs.
“When I first started here, it was cool that I felt seen and heard but for me as a player, it’s about providing that feeling to the wider community as well,” Stannett said.
Senior Coach Trent Cooper agrees Pride Round is only growing in importance.
“Since I’ve been educated more it’s not just about the players here – it’s about the wider community,” Cooper said.
“A lot of young people may be going through similar things to what some of our players did – for them to look up and know they can get through the other side – with the support of those around them – it’s really important and it’s great the AFLW can be at the forefront of that.”
Fremantle have just 20 players available for selection on Sunday after being hard hit by injury.
Cooper confirming one of eight WAFLW ‘train-on’ players will be called up for a tough clash with the fourth-placed Magpies.
“With injuries, it means other players get opportunities,” Cooper said.
Cooper is also embracing the challenge of a finals contender after back-to-back losses to last year’s Grand Finalists Melbourne and Adelaide.
“It’s been really good to play those sides. We’ve been a top four side and that’s where we want to get back to as quickly as possible so it’s great to have those challenges," Cooper said.
PRIDE ROUND READY 🌈
— Fremantle Dockers AFLW (@freodockersAFLW) October 13, 2022
Watch as we transform our training oval ahead of #AFLWPride Round 🫶 #foreverfreo pic.twitter.com/yaiUMiadhL
Cooper confirmed veteran Gabby O’Sullivan is likely to miss the remaining three rounds of the season after dislocating her shoulder against Adelaide.
All Australian winger/forward Ebony Antonio also remains on the sidelines with her comeback from a pre-season knee injury on hold.
“Ebony just didn’t feel confident after training on Wednesday,” Cooper said.
“We don’t want to put anyone who doesn’t feel confident out there - particularly at this stage of the season.
“We have missed her run and carry, so hopefully we see her before the end of the season.”
