Former Perth Lynx basketballer Brianna Moyes and former Perth Glory soccer player Angelique Stannett will fill Fremantle’s two rookie spots for season 2019 of the AFL Women’s season.

Both players were identified through the club’s annual Rookie Talent Search program and signed contracts with Fremantle on Tuesday afternoon.

This year, clubs have the ability to sign up to two players who have not played football in three years (prior to 1 May this year) or have not been involved in a high-performance AFLW program.

Twenty-seven-year-old Moyes said that basketball had previously always taken precedent, but she felt the timing was now right to try her hand at AFL.

“I’ve always loved footy and taken a keen interest and it wasn’t until this year that it became an option for me,” Moyes said.

“I used to kick the footy around in the back yard with my dad – he built wooden posts and painted them white.

“And now (to be on an AFLW list) it is just a dream come true.

“I can’t believe it.”

It seems Fremantle is the perfect club for Moyes, too, with the former WNBL player currently spending her days working as a wharfie.

“I work on the Fremantle docks as a stevedore, driving the trucks under the cranes and I also work on the ships,” Moyes said.

Fremantle AFLW Manager Darryn Fry said Moyes would bring a real tenacity to the side.

“Brianna showed us through the process she isn’t intimidated by anything. So she will come into the program and will acquit herself really well.”

Angelique Stannett has also been a great find for Freo, with the 21-year-old involved at the highest level in WA soccer.

“I started playing team sports when I was six and it’s basically been soccer for the past 15 years now until this year when I turned my sights to AFL,” Stannett said.

“I’m super excited and I’m so grateful to Freo for giving me an opportunity. And I’m really ready to get stuck into it.”

With strong leadership qualities Stannett brings more than just a flair for footy.

“Ange at only 21 is the captain of her State league soccer team which is an amazing achievement at such a young age,” Fry said.

“To be acknowledged as a leader at such a young age is just incredible.”

Fry said the girls would be ready to go come pre-season kicking off at the start of November.

“They meet the expectations already from a fitness and conditioning perspective so the foundations are there which is really handy,” Fry said.

“For them, now it is a matter of chipping away at some individual skill development so that when they come to day one of pre-season they are ready to go.”

Fremantle will finalise its list for 2019 on Tuesday 23 October when the NAB AFL Women’s Draft is held in Melbourne.