An inspiring speech from Fremantle AFLW coach Trent Cooper at three-quarter-time about debutant Kiara Bowers spurred on Fremantle’s come-from-behind four-point win over Melbourne at Casey Fields on Sunday.

Fremantle gave away a 20-point lead as the Demons piled on five goals and kept Freo goalless, trailing the home side by 14 points going into the final quarter.

Versatile forward Ebony Antonio had ‘goose-bumps’ at the three-quarter time huddle as Cooper spoke about the incredible effort midfielder Bowers had gone through to get to this moment.

“I think if you were in the room yourself it would have given you goose bumps, it definitely did for me,” Antonio said.

“Trent was just speaking about ‘Turbo’ and what she’s been through and what a character she is and it really lifted us girls to perform.

Lucky for us it worked and we got away with the win.”

Bowers was instrumental in the final quarter as well, calmly slotting her first goal and minutes later landing a match saving tackle in Melbourne’s front half, which set up an Ashley Sharp goal down the field.

 

Antonio was impressed by Bowers as the 27-year-old finished with 13 possessions, 12 tackles and a goal.

“Her nickname is ‘Turbo’ and you saw why she’s called that, she’s just a work horse,” the forward said.

“I don’t know how many tackles she had today but she laid some good ones and there will definitely be some sore Melbourne girls tomorrow.”

Bowers was selected as a marquee player back in July 2016 ahead of the inaugural AFLW season but injured her knee playing in a final for her local footy side Coastal Titans and has missed the past two seasons.

Following the win the speedy midfielder was emotional as family and friends congratulated her on the boundary line.

Sunday’s win came as a milestone for the club and Antonio says the group will travel back to Perth in high spirits.

“One of our first goals was to get our first win away, which we’ve done, and we ticked that off,” she said.

“We’ll go into round two petty positive but at the same time we’ll keep cool headed and work hard this week at training.”