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Fremantle have timed their run well for the 2019 NAB AFL Women’s season, according to AFLW Manager Darryn Fry, with every available player taking part in some part of training on Monday night.
Only Brianna Green, who is on the long-term injury list, did not train (but is about to resume running), while ruck Alicia Janz completed modified programs.
Fremantle will train again on Wednesday night ahead of selection on Thursday for their season opener against Melbourne at Casey Fields on Sunday.
“On Monday, for the first time, we had 30 on the track which is a really good sign,” Fry said.
“We’re fit and healthy. The majority of the squad is available for round one, with Hayley Miller and Matilda Sergeant still to pass fitness tests.”
“Alicia, and Brianna obviously, are the only players who won’t be considered. Alicia is still completing her final phase of rehab coming back from a PCL from last year and is still getting back to full fitness.
“She’s now starting to jump into more and more training drills, so that will continue during the next couple of weeks.”
Fry said that Miller, who won the 2018 WAWFL Fairest and Best award, will need to get through Wednesday’s session to put herself forward for selection.
“Hayley is on her return from some calf tightness, so her program for the past week has been slightly modified,” Fry said.
“She was in full training last night, she pulled up really well and all things considered, if she trains fully and pulls up well after another solid session, she would certainly be considered for selection.
“Matilda’s got a little bit of awareness in her quad, so again, we’ve backed off her training over the past couple of sessions. She’s probably more in the unlikely category but we’ll give her every chance to prove her fitness.”
While excitement is building around the potential debut of Kiara Bowers, Fry is keeping expectations subdued after the star midfielder missed the opening two seasons due to injury.
“Kiara still has two training sessions to get through but she hasn’t missed a beat,” Fry said.
“She’s going really well, so I know the whole club is really behind her and really excited to see her potentially make her debut after missing the opening two seasons; that would be really special.”
Fry said it is important that Fremantle will have most of their team available heading into a testing round one clash.
“We’re feeling fit, feeling fresh and we’re in a really good position from a health perspective with the playing list,” Fry said.
“Melbourne are going to be certainly a formidable opponent. They have some really good talls, some strong on ballers who can run really well like as Karen Paxman.
“We’ll have to be right at the top of our game. Looking at the vision from their pre-season game against North Melbourne, they dominated a lot of the play, they just didn’t execute as well, so we’re expecting a really tough contest.”