Fremantle have snapped up versatile forward/defender Maggie MacLachlan to finalise their list for the 2021 NAB AFL Women’s season.
The 18-year-old joins Fremantle after a spot was made available with recruit Jess Trend going on the inactive list.
MacLachlan shone for Subiaco in the WAFLW Grand Final kicking both of the Lions goals in their 15-point loss to Peel Thunder.
Senior coach Trent Cooper said MacLachlan boasted a strong mark with elite endurance.
“We’re really excited to get Maggie. She’s always had the ability to intercept mark and has really good foot skills. This year she took her game to another level playing league for Subiaco where she featured at both ends of the ground,” Cooper said.
“She’s a mid-sized player who will give us options at either end of the ground and has really improved her endurance quite remarkably this year. Her fitness is good enough to play AFLW in round one if needed.
“She has a bubbly personality and is really popular with our girls already. She was taught by Kara Antonio at SEDA and Hayley Miller is her favourite player so she gets to work with a couple of her idols as well.”
MacLachlan will also have the chance to continue to play under assistant coach Amy Lavell, who was her senior coach at Subiaco.
MacLachlan credited Lavell for the change in role that saw her go forward to great success in 2020.
“It was Amy’s idea that I would go forward but I was a bit hesitant. She told me she had a plan, so I just listened to her and ended up playing in the forward line as well as the back line and it worked well,” MacLachlan said.
“I’ve also played with Hayley and (fellow Subiaco players) Janelle Cuthbertson, Tiah Haynes and Ange Stannett, who I’m sure will help me settle in and push me. I can learn what to do and what not to do off them.”
After following Freo’s AFLW team closely in 2020, MacLachlan said she was motivated to help the team build from the disappointment of having their unbeaten season called off.
“I thought they would have won the premiership and I’m devastated they didn’t to be honest,” MacLachlan said.
“I’ve been watching them for a couple of years and they’ve only gotten better. They’ve worked hard and the season got cut short so I’m motivated to help them get there if I can in anyway.”
