Kellie Gibson will make her Freo debut when the team take on Carlton at Fremantle Oval this Saturday, 17 March.

Gibson was one of Adelaide’s two marquee players in 2017 and was instrumental as the Crows won the inaugural AFL Women’s premiership, but has yet to pull on the purple this season due to a hip-flexor injury.

AFLW manager Wade Spilcker credited Gibson’s training and preparation as the reason behind her return to football this season and said it would be a special moment for the Freo forward.

“We targeted Kellie in the off-season as she is someone that brings an enormous amount of talent and work-rate to the team,” Spilcker said. 

“She has worked really hard this season in order to give herself the best opportunity to play.

“I know she is excited and can’t wait to pull on the purple jumper this weekend.”

Gibson is one of two changes to the team preparing to take on the Blues this Saturday, with Ashley Sharp also named to play.

Stacey Barr and Jade de Melo have been omitted from the team that lost to Adelaide in Darwin last Friday night.

Fremantle will take on Carlton this Saturday 17 March at Fremantle Oval at 2.05pm.