Fremantle’s Mikayla Hyde has had her first taste of finals footy and is ready for more.  

The young gun put up a spectacular performance during Saturday’s qualifying finals clash against North Melbourne, kicking two goals to go along with 12 disposals and six score involvements.

“I’m pretty proud, one of them was a 50 metre free kick, but all that other stuff came from the hard work off our backs transitioning to our midfield to our forwards,” Hyde said.

“That was my first final with the girls, we put together some great footy today. 

“I’m just absolutely stoked, I can’t wait.” 

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Hyde said she is looking forward to the next challenge, a preliminary final against the top-of-the-table Crows, believing that the ability to push aside any nerves could hold Fremantle in good stead for the remainder of the finals series.  

There’s reason to argue that any pre-game jitters could have been foiled by a spell of karaoke the night before the final.

“We were super relaxed because we were super focused and ready to go,” Hyde said.  

“Some karaoke (the night before) I think set the mood. Everyone was really switched on and ready to go, knowing we had a job to do.

“I knew I had a role to play which was made pretty clear in our forward line, so I was comfortable, but pretty nervous and also excited.”  

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The return of key defender Janelle Cuthbertson couldn’t have been timed any better, after missing the past eight games due to a fractured jaw.  

Hyde said it was great to have the calibre of an All-Australian like Cuthbertson return to Fremantle’s defensive group.

“She’s actually my locker buddy, so it’s good to have her back next to me pre-game too,” Hyde said. 

“She’s solid back there, we definitely missed her, but glad to have her back.”  

Midfielder Gabby O’Sullivan also produced a strong performance proving her AFLW experience could play a vital role throughout the finals.

“She’s [Gabby] electric, she hunts the footy and the run we have from her through the midfield is so worthy,” Hyde said.