Normally coaches dread a six-day break, but not this week according to senior coach Trent Cooper.
It’s because he expects his players to be more rested than they would be coming off a seven-day break back in Perth with the group embracing a full-time football environment while on their four-game interstate trip.
Fremantle ticked off the first box with a resounding 32-point win against GWS at VU Whitten Oval on Sunday and are now turning their sights to Richmond at the Swinburne Centre this Saturday.
Cooper highlighted the taxing work the likes of carpenter Kiara Bowers, policewoman Ann McMahon and electrician Ebony Antonio do in their day jobs.
“We’re quite excited about (this week), we said we’ve got a six-day break and normally that can be a negative, but it means that Kiara Bowers isn’t on a roof in 36 degrees, Ann McMahon is not chasing criminals around and Ebony Antonio is not doing her job which can be very taxing as well,” Cooper said.
“The six-day break is almost like an eight-day break because we can prepare properly for it, so we’re looking to that aspect of it.
“Obviously keeping safe is our number one concern at the moment, making sure we’ve got everyone to choose from but that will be our aim this week.”
McMahon impressed in her second AFLW game with a goal while setting up Hayley Miller for another.
Cooper had extra praise for the forward / midfielder, who was coming off nightshift work before flying out on Saturday, just 36 hours before the game.
“She finished her work at 7am Perth time Saturday morning, she did a night shift,” Cooper said.
“We tossed and turned whether we were actually going to play her, it was going to depend on how she handled the flight so we put her in business class, and she got some sleep, woke up today and probably because it was a later game, we said she would play.
“For her to do what she did, she’s a pretty resilient character so we know that was never in doubt.”
Cooper was also impressed with midfielder Dana East’s efforts in her second AFLW game, easily Fremantle’s best player in the opening half as Freo built a 25-point lead.
“I think at half time Hayley Miller might have had six and Kiara Bowers four possessions, but it was Dana East who led the way,” Cooper said.
“We love what she does and she jumps onto Kiara’s tail at every training session and just follows her around.
“Today we really needed her to step up, especially early, and she did. I’m not sure how many tackles she finished with (eight) but her pressure was great and she was really clean with her game as well.”
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