The AFL today confirmed Kara Donnellan and Kiara Bowers as Fremantle’s two marquee players in the new national women’s league.

“Both (Donnellan and Bowers) are exceptional midfield athletes,” said new Fremantle women’s team head coach, Michelle Cowan.

“Kara has played a bit in the backline and can go forward and Bowers is one of the most elite midfielders going around in the whole country.”

Donnellan’s life revolves around the football community. She works at Swan Districts Football Club as the justice and high performance manager, where she runs a number of programs in the Pilbara region for high performance training.

She also coaches a team in the WA Amateur Football League, whose players are all inmates at Wooroloo Prison. 

Donnellan played for Melbourne in the past three women’s exhibition games under Cowan.  

Bowers excited about ‘childhood dream’

Bowers, who plays for the Coastal Titans in the WA Women’s Amateur Football League, boasts an impressive football resume. Regarded as one of the best runners in the women’s competition, Bowers has won four WAWFL best and fairest awards, and has represented WA in the State team on five occasions.

She played under Cowan in both the 2015 State competition, as well as for Melbourne in the past three seasons of the women’s exhibition games.

“Their (Donnellan, Bowers) character and leadership is certainly something that was really important to us as a pillar for drafting our players,” said Cowan.

“Their leadership at their clubs both playing in the WA Women’s Football League as well as at State level is exceptional.

“(They’re an) exceptional talent, and looking forward to building the team around these two.

“We’re rapt with our two marquee appointments here today.”

In announcing the 16 marquee players, who will be the faces of the inaugural women’s teams - Adelaide, Brisbane, Carlton, Collingwood, Fremantle, GWS Giants, Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs - AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan said the players would become heroes of their clubs.

“These women are the first ever female players to be listed at AFL clubs and their future as elite football players starts today. They will carry the hopes of their clubs, of our league, and we hope their own legion of fans,” McLachlan said.

“We’ve seen them play and they are without doubt the best players our game has to offer. And importantly, off the field they demonstrate passion, determination and a hunger to inspire and encourage young Australian girls who love our game that anything is possible.”

The national women’s league draft is set for early October, while the official season begins in 2017.