Draftee Sarah Verrier will wear the no.5 at Fremantle

Fremantle have gone for versatility with their first selection of the 2020 NAB AFL Women’s National Draft, selecting Sarah Verrier with their first-round pick at no.14. 

The Peel Thunder premiership player has predominantly played at half-back or as an inside midfielder in the WAFLW and also featured on a wing in the Thunder’s grand final win against Subiaco in September. 

Touted as having a strong football IQ, Verrier is expected to add high-level skill and a penetrating kick to a Fremantle squad that went undefeated in 2020. 

Fremantle senior coach Trent Cooper said Verrier was a tough player who could easily make the transition to AFLW level.

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'This was a big dream for me' | Sarah Verrier

We catch up with Sarah Verrier after selecting her with our first-round pick in the 2020 NAB AFL Women's National Draft.

“We’re very excited to get Sarah on our list,” Cooper said.

“She played as an under ager in the State 18s when I coached WA a couple of years ago and she’s shown her potential all the way through. 

“She moves well, with excellent skills and she has a really high footy IQ as well. 

“We’re really pleased that we’ve been able to secure Sarah at no.14.”

Verrier has been a part of the Peel Thunder generation that has dominated the U18 Rogers Cup competition with five flags between 2014 and 2019 and are now succeeding at WAFLW level with their maiden premiership in 2020.

“Sarah played in their Rogers Cup premierships all the way through and then played a couple weeks ago in their WAFLW Premiership side,” Cooper said.

“We just need to build her up physically with a bit of size and conditioning, but we expect her to be a very good long-term player for the Fremantle Football Club. 

“She’s a really calm and composed character and won’t be ruffled by the big stage.”

In 2019, Verrier performed strongly for Western Australia at the 2019 AFLW U/19 Championships at just 17 years of age.

Verrier also has a South Fremantle connection with her two brothers Steven and Brendan playing for the Bulldogs. 

New teammate and Freo ruck Mim Strom also has two brothers at South Freo with Noah and Zac Strom both taking part in the Bulldogs WAFL Grand Final win against Claremont on Sunday. 

“She’s grown up with two brothers playing footy and her brother Steven played in the WAFL Grand Final at the weekend,” Cooper said.

“She’s had two brothers play at South Fremantle and that formula worked pretty well for us with Mim Strom, so we’re happy to go down that path again.”