Fremantle’s hopes of a second win of the AFLW season have received a major boost, with Ebony Antonio to make her long-awaited return to football against the Swans in Sydney.
The classy playmaker and 2018 All Australian has been sidelined since damaging her right knee during pre-season.
Diligent with her recovery over the past two months, it will be a double celebration for the 30-year-old who plays her 50th AFLW game at Henson Park in Marrickville.
Antonio is the third Fremantle Docker to the milestone after Hayley Miller and Gabby O’Sullivan have previously reached the mark.
“The highlights video that the team watched last night is enough to get anyone up and about,” Senior Coach Trent Cooper said.
“It just reminded us of what we’ve been missing with Ebony being out of the side.
“So a bit of extra motivation, but probably there’s no more motivation needed than to win a game at this stage of the year.”
Young forward Makaela Tuhakaraina is another welcome inclusion after shoulder surgery and illness kept her sidelined for the first eight rounds of the season.
“Makaela’s one of the most popular members of the team,” said Cooper.
“She provides great energy, great bounce offensively – but also defensively in the forward line she’s a great tackler.
“We’ve really missed her. She’s done it really tough this year, but it’s a good reward for her dedication to her rehab that she can get out on the park on Saturday.”
Defender Madizen Wilkins, who debuted against Collingwood last weekend comes out of the side along with Tara Stribley.
Cooper says his team is looking forward to their first clash against the expansion club at Marrickville’s Henson Park.
“It looks like a really picturesque ground, so we’re looking forward to the challenge of playing there,” said Cooper.
“It’s definitely a smaller ground, so we’ll have to adjust to that.
“Sydney have some really good top end young talent and they’re suited by the oval and the conditions.
“They played extremely well last week and were very unlucky to lose to Essendon. They kicked seven goals so we’ll have to be on our game to challenge them.”
Bouncedown for the clash is at 12.10pm WST and will be broadcast live on 7Mate and Fox Footy, while also streamed live on Kayo and the official AFL Women's app.
FREMANTLE TEAM
IN: Ebony Antonio, Makaela Tuhakaraina
OUT: Tara Stribley, Madizen Wilkins
Defenders: Emma O'Driscoll, Ange Stannett, Laura Pugh, Jess Low, Sarah Verrier
Midfielders: Phil Seth, Hayley Miller, Airlie Runnalls
Forwards: Roxy Roux, Amy Franklin, Megan Kauffman, Amy Mulholland, Aine Tighe
Followers: Mim Strom, Kiara Bowers, Dana East
Interchange: Makaela Tuhakaraina, Ebony Antonio, Mikayla Hyde, Bianca Webb, Nikki Gore
Emergencies: Tara Stribley, Jessica Roper, Mackenzie Webb
