A trio of Fremantle players have been selected in the 2021 AFL Women's All Australian Squad ahead of Freo kicking off their finals campaign this Saturday against Melbourne at Casey Fields.
 
Earning squad selection for a third straight year, Kiara Bowers and Gemma Houghton have been joined by All-Australian newcomer Janelle Cuthbertson after an impressive season in Freo’s back half. 
 
A final team of 21 players including a captain and vice-captain, will be announced at the W Awards held on Tuesday 20 April.

Senior coach Trent Cooper said he was thrilled to have three high calibre players recognised with squad selection.
 
“We’re very excited to have three players in the All-Australian squad of 40,” Cooper said.
 
“Kiara Bowers is an obvious selection off the back of her outstanding season.
 
“There’s probably not much more that needs to be said about her!

“Janelle Cuthbertson has been outstanding this year and was given the opposition’s best forward every week.
 
“For her to play that role and still give us so much drive has been a phenomenal effort in just her second year in the AFLW.

“And Gemma Houghton has had another solid year…she has been All-Australian the last couple of years and it’s so great to see her get selected once again in 2021.”

Unsurprisingly, Kiara Bowers’ season carries an impressive stat line ranking #1 per game across the competition in: clearances, tackles, pressure acts and ground ball gets pre-clearance.
 
Houghton finished equal second atop the goal kickers list with 14 goals, while also ranking second in marks on lead and third in score involvements per game.
 
Cuthbertson was outstanding in defence, ranking equal first for contested intercept marks and fifth for intercept possessions per game amongst the competition’s defenders.
 
The All-Australian squad was selected by a panel of 10, including general manager of women’s football Nicole Livingstone, Fox Footy commentator Kelli Underwood and AFL.com.au’s Sarah Black.