Fremantle Dockers AFLW skipper Kara Antonio believes that the upcoming clash with the Adelaide Crows will be an opportunity for Freo to test themselves against the benchmark team of the competition.
 
Despite the Crows having won two out of the last three premierships, Antonio said that Freo are excited and ready to take on the challenge.
 
“I think they’ve shown what they’re capable of over the last few weeks so we’re really excited to test ourselves,” Antonio said.
 
“I would say they’re the premiership favourites as it currently stands with Erin Phillips back, Chelsea Randall back up forward and they’ve got some really good young kids coming through.
 
“It will definitely be a test for us but we’re ready to see how we go and what we’ve got.”

The AFL is yet to confirm what Fremantle’s movements will be following Sunday’s clash at Norwood Oval, but Antonio said the playing group were focused purely on round three for now and are keen to get away for the teams’ first travel trip of the year.
 
“We’ve had a few conversations as a group over the course of the week and obviously packed a bit extra because we don’t know what past this weekend looks like, but we’re just really focused on Sunday’s game,” Antonio said.
 
“This is our first travel game for the year and we’re really excited to get away and enjoy the company of each other.
 
“I suppose it is a little bit different than training at home, you only see each other three times a week and then on game day so it will be good, especially for the new players that have come into the group.
 
“Spending some time away with them will definitely galvanise the group and bring us closer together with what’s going on around us.”
 
Defender Evie Gooch will be unable to travel with the team this weekend due to her commitment with DFES in Perth.
 
Antonio said that the difficulties that come with being full-time employees while trying to play AFLW can be tough to manage in these circumstances but said that the playing group had the full support of the club.
 
“It is tough being full-time employees at other businesses and this being our part-time job but again, we’ve had some really good solid conversations as a group and as a footy club this week and the support for all of us has been massive so we’re really lucky.