Ariana Hetherington has earnt a place on Fremantle’s playing list for the 2023 NAB AFLW Season, after participating as a train-on over the last two months at the Club.
Hetherington will replace the list spot of Mikayla Morrison who has been ruled out for 2023 after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee during a pre-season training session.
This year, Hetherington completed her first season of WAFLW playing for South Fremantle and won the Club’s best and fairest award in a remarkable feat for her debut season.
The utility position player also finished inside the top 10 for the Dhara Kerr Medal at the 2023 WAFLW Awards last month.
The 179-centimetre Hetherington played primarily in the ruck for South, where she led the WAFLW competition in hitouts for 2023.
She also finished inside the top 10 across the league for clearances, ranked second for inside 50’s and had the fourth highest number of contested possessions.
With an ability to play across multiple key position roles, Hetherington has impressed with her dedication and versatility after training as one of Fremantle’s Futures Top Up Players since 1 June.
Hetherington said she couldn’t believe she had received the call up.
“I still feel like it’s not real at the moment, my body is still shaking and the nerves are trying to calm down but I’m excited,” Hetherington said.
“It’s been absolutely awesome (being part of Fremantle’s train-on program).
“As soon as we came in the girls opened their arms and welcomed all of us, all the train-ons, and they’ve just been so helpful.
“I’m loving the intensity at training, I feel like we can do drills but it’s at 120 per cent.
“It’s so awesome to be part of this culture.”
Mum please pick up 😩
— Fremantle Dockers (@freodockers) August 4, 2023
Our newest AFLW recruit Ariana Heatherington really tried her best to tell her Mum the good news... but wasn't having much luck 😂 #foreverfreo pic.twitter.com/SBAyT5xIuP
AFLW Senior Coach Lisa Webb said it was Hetherington's commitment and versatile nature that stood out.
"We loved her ability to be flexible in her role, her commitment and willingness to learn," Webb said.
"She is certainly a highly competitive person of great character that I think will compliment our list well."
Hetherington will wear jumper no.29, taking on the number left vacant by former player Janelle Cuthbertson.
