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Getting the fundamentals right will be the focus for Fremantle’s AFLW team in season 2019.
Speaking at the club’s AFLW Season launch and Christmas Gala Ball AFLW senior coach Trent Cooper said his players had been working on sharpening their skills during pre-season.
“We had the lowest kicking efficient last year so we have gone hard on that and the girls are kicking really well, that’s been a main focus,” Cooper said.
“Picking the ball up cleanly off the ground sounds like something simple but is quite often overlooked, so we have also been working on that.
“If we can do those two things well it will hopefully translate into goals down the field.”
In his first year as AFLW senior coach Cooper said he is ‘loving’ being involved at the elite level and has appreciated the support shown since day one.
“The staff around me immediately helped in any way they could so I am absolutely loving it, the club has been so supportive,” Cooper said.
“The whole club in general and the general interest in the AFLW program has been huge and we are all looking forward to the season starting.”
Cooper also gave an insight into the factors his recruiting team assessed when selecting the 11 new players added to the list this year and had a strong message for Freo fans.
“We focused on character and we were fortunate to get some really good footballers.
“For me as a coach, just being able to get to know the new girls has been great, everyone is gelling really well.”
“Our first game is away in Melbourne, we haven’t won an away game yet so our goal is to change that very quickly.
“Then we’ll be back for our first home game against Brisbane. If you come down to Freo Oval you’ll be watching a brand of footy that’s pretty exciting and we’ll hopefully see some success in 2019.”