As proud as Ange Stannett is to reach the 50-game milestone in the AFLW, the Fremantle vice captain is putting all her focus into celebrating the milestone with a win when Freo take on Hawthorn at Fremantle Oval.
Stannett will become the fourth Freo Docker to reach the mark on Saturday, joining Hayley Miller, Gabby O’Sullivan and Ebony Antonio.
Previously a player for Perth Glory in the W league, Stannett was picked up as a rookie in 2018.
After missing the first two AFLW seasons, she becomes the first Freo player to reach the milestone outside of Freo’s four remaining inaugural players in Miller (62 games), O’Sullivan (57 games), Antonio (53 games) and Bowers (44 games).
Stannett is proud to see the change that’s happened in the AFLW space as she commences her sixth season.
“There's a lot that's changed within the landscape of AFLW and particularly here at the Club,” Stannett said.
“The professionalism has come a really long way. Our program’s in a great place and we've got an exciting future coming up as well.
“There's been plenty of highs, plenty of lows over the last 50, but hopefully we've still got a few left in the bag as well.”
Stannett spoke of the importance of being able to celebrate the moment with her teammates with a victory.
“It's extremely special, I think what makes it so special is the people that you get to share it with,” Stannett said.
“As incredible as these moments are it's about the people that are around that make it so memorable, but the focus is on the team and what we need to do to get the win.
“It's an exciting round, we're back at home back in front of the home crowd as well, so we're looking forward to it.”
After five seasons as a defender, Stannett is finding her feet as a forward, ending a 48-game run without a goal with her first major against Collingwood at Victoria Park on Sunday.
“I've been a defender my entire life, even going back through soccer as well, it's a completely different mindset,” Stannett said.
“Early on in pre-season I was even standing on the wrong side of the mark, so I've come a long way since then.
“It's a learning curve and it's something that I'm going to work through for the rest of the season but so far I’m enjoying the challenge.”
