At some stage in the next 24 hours, Kara Antonio will sit down and let the whirlwind of a retirement week sink in.

The 30-year-old describing the days since she stood in front of teammates on Monday night and told them she was playing her last game as 'completely overwhelming.'

Surrounded by family and friends after a fairytale finish to her 47-game AFLW career, there were no tears from the champion midfielder turned forward, just pride in her place in Fremantle Football Club history.

Signed as a marquee player alongside Kiara Bowers at the end of 2016, Antonio was named captain in the competition’s historic inaugural season the following year – a leadership position she embraced for the first five AFLW seasons.

With a debilitating knee injury threatening her career in 2019, she moved into attack to help guide the Club’s forwards, but it was a damaged hamstring tendon in July that nearly ended her career.

Antonio fought back to lead the team onto Fremantle Oval against Hawthorn 15 weeks after hamstring surgery and countless times wondered if she’d ever play again.

“It hasn’t been easy at times with the injuries,” said Antonio.

“The first couple of years were pretty tough too, but hopefully I’ve been able to empower those around me – the next leaders and the next young group of players – to be the best that they can be and be driving the standards.

“I wear my heart on my sleeve. I’d never ask anyone to do anything I wasn’t willing to do so hopefully a small part of that legacy will stay in the carpets down at Fremantle.

“Just really grateful to spend so many of my football days here – the last seven years have been incredible.”

A qualified Level 3 coach, Antonio helped guide Fremantle’s forwards through Season 7 and is confident the squad has what it takes to bounce back into finals contention.

“I know the future’s in really good hands with Hayley Miller at the forefront, with (vice-captain) Ange Stannett there – with our young players coming through,” Antonio said.

“I can’t wait to see what the future holds for the group and the footy club.

“We’re a really proud group, so what’s happened this year hasn’t sat well with us to be honest.

“There’s still a lot of work to do in the off-season. I’ll still be down there probably running around with the girls and driving the standards, I won’t be able to help myself.”

A teacher at SEDA College, immediate plans are for valuable family time with a house full of visitors from Victoria – the home state Antonio left to begin her WA adventure a decade ago.

“I'm just really happy and honoured to have my family here,” Antonio said.

“They’re obviously all in Melbourne, they’ve been over there for a big part of my career as I moved over here by myself.

“To have them all over here for the final game is really special. To run out with my nieces and nephew – I couldn’t have scripted it better.

“They probably thought the game was about them which was quite funny and they loved being inside the changerooms after the game as well.”

Antonio kicked two goals to help Fremantle fight back from 17 points down in the third quarter against Hawthorn - snatching a thrilling five-point win, the third of a tough Season 7.

“The effort has never been questioned all year and it was outstanding today to see it from all players,” Antonio said.

“But we’ve got a lot of work to do in the off season – to get back to what we do best.

“We want to play finals, we want to win premierships – that’s why we’re here.

“We’ve got the group to do it and I’m looking forward to seeing what the future holds.

“I’m proud that I’ve played a very small part in the rich history this group will take forward for many years to come.”