Kara Donnellan will lead the Fremantle side in the inaugural AFLW season, after the midfielder was voted into the role by her teammates.
For the past three years, Donnellan has successfully spearheaded the Swan Districts side in the WAWFL, helping lead the Swans to two premierships in 2014 and 2016.
The vote was cast via an open ballot, as each player stood up front of their peers and allocated six votes as they saw fit.
Joining Donnellan are co-vice captains Kirby Bentley and Kiara Bowers, while Amy Lavell and Dana Hooker round out the leadership group.
Three players were also voted into an Emerging Leaders Group, consisting of Ebony Antonio, Hayley Miller and Tiah Haynes.
Women’s senior coach Michelle Cowan said she was delighted to have such a strong group of players to work with.
“It’s an incredible bunch of people to have leading the side,” Cowan said.
“To have Kara as our captain, right from the get go since signing on to the club she’s been exceptional in her leadership.
“She’s elite in everything she does for the club on and off the field, a great role model and someone’s that’s really going to embrace the captaincy.”
While the significance of the vote is still sinking in for Donnellan, she spoke confidently about taking on the role with just over three weeks remaining until the round one clash with the Western Bulldogs.
“I think it will take a few days for me to sit down and soak it all up,” Donnellan said.
“But I already know that it’s an absolute honour and privilege to captain the inaugural Fremantle women’s side.”
“There will be some added responsibilities, but I’m just going to continue to do what I’ve tried to do at Swan Districts which is lead by example with my actions and behaviours on and off the field.”
Donnellan spoke highly of her vice captains and leadership group.
“They’re some phenomenal leaders on and off the field, but even better people,” Donnellan said.
“That’s what we’re about at Freo, and Michelle (Cowan) has helped build a fantastic side of really good people and great characters.”
The presence of Kiara Bowers as co-vice captain was especially notable, given she was ruled out for the 2017 season with an ACL injury - but Donnellan said that her inclusion was a no-brainer.
“There were a lot of beautiful things that were said about ‘Turbo’ (Bowers) during the vote,” Donnellan said.
“She’s a born leader and an even better person. The way she’s remained so positive while going through a knee reconstruction has been inspiring.”
Bowers, who is slated to work as an assistant coach for the Coastal Titans in the 2017 WAWFL season, said she was excited to take on the unique role as an off-field vice captain.
“It feels amazing, especially considering that I wont be an on-field leader. For them to still think of me is pretty overwhelming,” Bowers said.
“I didn’t know at the time if I was eligible, so it was a huge surprise to see the other players stand up and say my name.”
“One way I’ve tried to contribute is to help the younger girls coming up, since I’ve been around for a while. So I put myself out there and I guess I was doing an alright job for them to vote for me.
“From here I’ll help out wherever needed and as much as I possibly can.”
