Fremantle will put the depth of its list to the test while in travelling in Melbourne, with three major outs this week in Áine Tighe who is out of for the season (knee), utility Gabby O’Sullivan ruled out (one-match suspension) and defender Jae Flynn under concussion protocols.
Co-vice-captain Laura Pugh spoke to media on Wednesday morning before the squad departed for Victoria, where they will spend the next week playing two fixtures against St Kilda and Geelong.
Pugh praised her fellow co-vice-captain Áine Tighe for her selflessness and leadership shown in their week 4 clash with Melbourne, as Tighe suffered a knee injury in the opening minutes of the game.
“When we found out on Monday, we were all really devastated for her, but how she held herself on Saturday during the game is a true testament to who she is as a person. She was leading on the bench,” Pugh said.
With significant outs in this week’s match, Pugh said the side has players ready to step in and play their role, with the entire Fremantle squad travelling to Melbourne.
"We have a lot of girls who are ready to go,” Pugh said.
“I guess what we’ve talked about this week is we don’t need to replace Áine. Everyone’s on the list because they’ve got such unique strengths and they’ve been practising that all year.
“We hope they can come in and absolutely shine this weekend.”
Fremantle will play three sides in nine days, facing St Kilda on Friday, with a three-day break until their next match against Geelong, and a further four days until they line up with Hawthorn.
“The three games in about nine days will be challenging, but we’re up for it,” Pugh said.
“I think we always thrive in those challenges so we’re looking forward to getting away, having some time together and hopefully going really well.
“To be honest these next three games are going to be a really good challenge and we want to be able to execute our game plan against the top-tier teams.”
Having spent the first four matches of the 2024 NAB AFLW Season playing in both the forward and backline, Pugh expressed she was enjoying the challenge.
“(I am) getting thrown around a little bit, but it was a lot of fun on the weekend,” Pugh said.
“It’s a really great challenge - when I go forward, I’ve got Epps (Ebony Antonio) there leading the way and showing me what to do, and when I go back everyone’s yapping, so it’s a lot of fun.”
Fremantle’s week 5 team to play St Kilda at RSEA Park on Friday will be released on Thursday afternoon at 4.20pm WST.
