Fremantle trio Ann McMahon, Aine Tighe and Maggie MacLachlan have inked fresh contracts as the Club continues to lock away its playing list.
On the list for the past two seasons, McMahon and Tighe have had to overcome serious injury as they look to make their Fremantle debut in the upcoming AFLW season.
Senior coach Trent Cooper said the pair have displayed themselves professionally despite the adversity they have faced.
“Ann and Aine are very similar stories in that they have both had significant yet different injuries and haven’t been able to play over their two years at the Club,” Cooper said.
“Both of them have been absolutely exemplary with their work ethic and their abilities to overcome those injuries.
“We are hoping to see them both out on the park in season six of the AFLW.”
Cooper said he expects both McMahon and Tighe to be ready to go once pre-season commences in September.
“Ann has played some WAFLW this season and is now just working on building her body to be at its absolutely best,” Cooper said.
“She is training really well at the moment, and is really looking forward to the season ahead.
“Aine is recovering really well from her knee problems and we’re hoping to see her out on the track ready to go for night one of pre-season.”
McMahon said she is looking forward to stringing together an injury free pre-season.
“I’m just excited to have another year and another crack at it with a full pre-season under my belt,” McMahon said.
“I was probably a little bit slow to start (in the WAFLW), but as the games went on there were definite improvements, so I’m happy with how that is looking.
“(High performance manager) Kate Starre has looked after me with some programming and extra conditioning and strength sessions, so hopefully I’ll be fit and firing when the time comes.”
Tighe said she had worked hard throughout this current off-season period to give herself the best opportunity for the season ahead.
“We have a great bunch of girls here, so fingers crossed I can keep building ahead of a big season,” Tighe said.
“The off-season is where the hard work gets put in…I’ll keep getting the work done to give myself the best chance to be on the track.”
Cooper also praised McLachlan’s first year in the AFLW system, noting the challenge now is to try and break into the senior side.
“Maggie was picked up as a development prospect and she showed a lot at training in her first pre-season,” Cooper said.
“She kicks the ball as well as anyone in our team, so we’re just working with her to get her capable of playing at the next level.
“Maggie is one of the hardest workers in our side, and she is a really good character for team culture.
“She deserves her spot on the list, and we’ll be looking to see if she can break into the side in AFLW six.”
