Fremantle will have a debutant for the round three clash against Hawthorn, with midfielder Jae Flynn receiving the news she would be playing her first AFLW game on Saturday.
 
After a strong 2022 season as a train on with Fremantle, Flynn officially joined the club after averaging 15 disposals for East Fremantle in the WAFLW in 2022.
 
No.17 in the AFLW Supplementary Draft back in April, Flynn offers a great level of athleticism, and has been consistent in her performance in the 2023 NAB AFLW season thus far.
 
Flynn was surprised with the news alongside her teammates, after flicking through a series of PowerPoint slides, with an extra slide added at the end for the announcement.
 
“It was a complete surprise, I didn’t expect that my position would open up, but I’m super stoked that it did,” Flynn said.

Flynn’s family has a famous football history, with her grandad Wilson Onions playing 101 games for East Fremantle including being a part of their 1957 premiership, and is also an East Fremantle Hall of Fame inductee.
 
“My whole family are Fremantle supporters, so it’s a super proud moment, I’ll just take it all in as it goes,” Flynn said.
 
“I sent Mum a text, but I just said don’t call me because I knew she’d call me straight away, but I just said I’m in, and they’d be super stoked as well.”
 
Happy with her development so far, Flynn credits a lot to learning from her teammates.
 
“My game I feel like has developed a lot better being around the girls, obviously they’re at the next level, and it challenges you and your game,” Flynn said.
 
“I’ve had a few areas that I’ve been trying to work on a lot, and I reckon there’s been an improvement.”

Fremantle’s Senior Coach Lisa Webb said she is excited for what Flynn can bring to the team, after seeing an impressive effort from Flynn since she was selected in the 2023 AFLW Supplementary Draft.
 
“She’s been banging on the door for a number of weeks and we’re really excited,” Webb said.
 
“She’s done the hard work and I think the time’s right for her to come in.”
 
Webb said Flynn can excel in multiple roles as a wing or half back for Fremantle, and has experience playing all over the ground at the Sharks.
 
“She offers the flexibility to play across multiple roles, and her aggression in the contest has been something that we’ve been really proud of her development in,” Webb said.
 
“We’re excited for what she brings. She’s really athletic, has good hands in the contest and is strong above head.
 
“We’re looking forward to giving her the opportunity, but more importantly, to play the role that we know she can play for our team.”

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Match day information: Round 3 v Hawthorn