Fremantle’s Fairest and Best Presentation Dinner celebrated the players, coaches and staff’s contribution to the 2024 season, including first-timers at Freo, Gabby Newton and Aisling McCarthy.

Having joined the Fremantle family in last year’s trade period, both third place Gabby Newton and runner-up Fairest and Best Aisling McCarthy couldn’t be happier to have made the move to purple.

Reflecting on the season, McCarthy said she loved every minute, and credited the connection she built with Senior Coach Lisa Webb to be a deciding factor on the change.

“I’ve absolutely loved it and it’s a testament to the Club,” McCarthy said.

“Webby met me a few times, and I think it was the connection we built that I knew this may be the best place for me and I’m just really glad I made that decision to move across.”

Echoing the Fairest and Best winner Mim Strom, McCarthy said the group are confident in their individual roles, and always reverted back to the trademark, set out by the coaches and leadership group.

“I often just tried to play my game off the trademark,” McCarthy said.

 “I think it’s a real credit to Ange Stannett as captain, and Lisa and Heff as leaders of this Club, that they really tried to put an emphasis on trademark and I just went out each week and tried to play my game that way.”

McCarthy highlighted how welcomed her and her family felt by the Club, and said her family knew she was in safe hands, knowing she was a long way from Ireland.

“Freo has been a real destination Club for people like myself and people that play internationally, and my family can’t speak enough about how welcoming Freo were,” McCarthy said.

“For them to know how good of a Club and the good hands I’m in at the moment just makes them feel a bit more at ease being so far away.”

Making the move from Melbourne, Newton had similar feelings to McCarthy, and said Fremantle was home.

“To move away from my family and friends from home was a massive thing to do, and it was worth it for the people I’ve met at this Club who feel like home, and they’ve made my family feel welcome as well,” Newton said.

Newton praised her teammates on their consistent hard work, whether it’s off season, pre-season or in-season.

“I think when I moved over, I was just like ‘oh, this is a team I want to be part of,’ because the girls just work incredibly hard,” Newton said.

Newton reflected on the Elimination Final win against Essendon, and said it was a special win she won’t be forgetting anytime soon.

“Everybody played their role and to be part of a team like that, it just inspires you,” Newton said.

“That final in particular, I don’t think I’ll ever forget it, it was really special especially with that crowd at Fremantle Oval.

“To be part of a game like that is just really exciting as a player and it’s what you play AFLW for.”