Fremantle’s AFLW senior coach Trent Cooper will rest 18-year-old talent Roxy Roux for this Sunday’s clash with the Western Bulldogs at VU Whitten Oval.

The move is part of a plan to look after Fremantle’s younger players and comes a week after fellow 18-year-old Bianca Webb missed Freo’s round five clash with Brisbane. 

Webb was rested for the one-point win over the Lions to freshen up after playing the previous three games against West Coast, Collingwood and St Kilda. 

With the addition of being a travel game, Cooper feels a break this weekend will give Roux a solid run into the back half of the season, as well as a potential finals campaign. 

“They had big workloads through the State 18s and WAFLW season last year, then went almost straight into an AFLW pre-season after that," Cooper said.

“Bianca Webb had a week off last week and may have another one this week.

“Roxy Roux will have this weekend’s game against the Bulldogs off to freshen up and make sure her body is right for the last part of the season.”

18-year-old ruck Mim Strom is also in the mix to be rested later in the season, however Cooper feels she is tracking well after the opening five rounds. 

“Mim Strom is another one that we may look at resting, but she didn’t play any WAFLW league until later on in the year,” Cooper said.

“At the moment she is coping really well, so at this stage she will keep playing.”

Cooper praised the addition of Roux to the Fremantle line-up this season and said the excitement machine had impressed early on in her AFLW career.

Taken with Fremantle’s first pick in last year’s AFLW draft, Cooper is certain that Roux will be a long-term player for the club.

“Roxy brings a level of excitement for both the fans and her teammates because she can do some amazing things,” Cooper said

“She’s so competitive and you can see that in the highlights of those huge marks in the derby and that run and chase against St Kilda. 

“Roxy gives us a lot; she can pinch hit in the ruck, and for an 18-year-old we have been really happy with what she has done so far. 

“We want to get the best out of Roxy not only for this year, but for the next 10 or 12 years.” 

With Roux set to miss the Bulldogs clash, the door opens for a number of players to step into Freo’s side, who remains the only undefeated team across the women’s competition. 

“We’ve got a few to choose from this week,” Cooper said. 

“Mia-Rae Clifford has obviously been an emergency – she had a run around in the Jan Cooper Cup game on the weekend and was good, so she’s an obvious one. 

“Sarah Garstone performed really well on the weekend in that game and we’ve also got Taylah Bresland up our sleeve who we know is a really good key defender.

“Matilda Sergeant is also getting close to putting her hand up for selection as well. 

“We’re really happy with the way the girls currently outside of the team are performing and carrying themselves.”