Philipa Seth will have a delayed start to the 2023 NAB AFLW Season after fracturing her hand in last weekend’s pre-season match simulation against West Coast.

The untimely injury adds to a run of bad luck for the dashing defender/winger who missed the entirety of Season 6 with a syndesmosis injury and was sidelined for the start of the 2021 season with a hamstring issue.

Both the syndesmosis and hamstring injuries were also sustained in pre-season fixtures against West Coast in the lead-up to round one.

She returned to play all 10 games in Season 7 which included an equal career-high 17-disposal performance in round 10 against Hawthorn.

AFLW Senior Physio Brett Fletcher provided an update on Seth in the Perth Radiological Clinic Injury Update as Fremantle head into a pre-season fixture with Collingwood this Saturday.

This Saturday's match v Pies will be open to the public and live streamed. Details here!

“Scans have revealed a fracture to one of the bones in her hand,” Fletcher said.

“We’re currently consulting with specialists to work out what her return to play will look like.

“At this stage we are optimistic that it won’t be too long.”

Defensive pair Laura Pugh (hand) and Emma O’Driscoll (leg laceration) are steadily progressing from injury and are both set to be available for selection in Freo’s round one fixture against West Coast on Sunday 3 September.

“Laura sustained an injury to her hand. She has got a small fracture there that is progressing nicely,” Fletcher said.

“She is on track to be available for round one, as is Emma.

“Emma suffered a laceration to her leg that is healing quite nicely, and she will be upping her training loads over the next few weeks.”

Ebony Antonio is also expected to be available for round one after rehabilitating a knee complaint for most of the pre-season, while recent signing Ariana Hetherington will miss this weekend’s clash with the Pies after sustaining a concussion.

“Epps has been working really hard in training, she has progressed now to full training and is on track to be available for round one,” Fletcher said.

“Unfortunately, Ariana suffered a concussion on Tuesday at training so she will now follow the concussion protocols. Hopefully, she won’t be sidelined for too long.”

INJURY LIST –
Laura Pugh (wrist) – 2 weeks
Emma O’Driscoll (leg laceration) – 2 weeks
Ebony Antonio (knee) – 2 weeks
Philipa Seth (hand) – TBC
Ariana Hetherington (concussion) - TBC