AFLW
Bravery on display for Doctor and AFLW player Cregg

Fremantle forward Amy Mulholland has backed Joanne Cregg to have an impact in her debut AFLW season, with the winger one of the standouts in what has been a promising pre-season for the squad.
 
After impressive performances in Fremantle’s pre-season wins against West Coast and Collingwood, Cregg has put her hand up for a potential RAC Derby debut on 3 September when Freo get their season underway at Fremantle Oval.
 
Mulholland said Cregg’s athleticism and bravery would make her an asset on the outside.
 
“Joanne’s a very exciting player, she’s not afraid to put her head over the ball and she runs all day,” Mulholland said.
 
“She’s definitely impressed over the past couple of weeks now. She’s learnt the game plan and will always go out there and give it her all.
 
“She sets a very high standard for herself and she’s going to bring a lot this season, I think.”

05:04

'This year has been a huge change for me' | Amy Mulholland

Amy talks us through her pre-season and the excitement in the group leading up to Round 1

Mulholland and Cregg have had a similar pathway to the AFLW – the pair hail from Ireland with a Gaelic Football background, took up Australian Rules when they moved to Australia and were drafted to Fremantle from Subiaco a year apart.
 
A year ahead of Cregg in her AFLW development, Mulholland said she can only see upside in her future at Freo.
 
“I keep telling her and reassuring how differently I’m feeling this year versus last year. In your first year it is all a bit of a whirlwind,” Mulholland said.
 
“But how she’s playing, it’s her commitment to the role, her want to learn and be the best version of herself out there.”

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'Acknowledge these children when they're at their most vulnerable' | Jo Cregg

Listen to Joanne Cregg speak to the media during the Fremantle Dockers Bravery Awards.

Like most of their teammates, Mulholland and Cregg balance their AFLW careers with full time jobs.
 
An accountant by day, Mulholland is especially impressed with how Cregg handles the extra demands as a doctor at Perth Children’s Hospital.
 
“You have to give her credit where it’s due, she’s going to training from 12 hour shifts,” Mulholland said.
 
“She worked until 11pm on Friday night and then rocked up for the Collingwood practice game on Saturday morning and put in an amazing performance.
 
“It can be a nice break to focus on our passion in our work - but (Cregg) comes into footy and is ready to give everything, she’s going to do well.”

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