Fremantle have named their fifth AFLW debutant of Season 7 with 18-year-old Tara Stribley named in the side to take on the Western Bulldogs at Ikon Park on Friday night.
The news was broken ahead of the team’s Thursday flight to Melbourne, with Stribley elevated into the starting side after being named as an emergency against Geelong last weekend.
Touted for her speed and clean skills, Stribley will hope to make an immediate impact as Fremantle search for their first win of Season 7 in the NAB AFLW Competition.
The versatile small forward and winger slid in the draft rankings after injuries had an impact on her 2022 season with Swan Districts, where she averaged 12 disposals, two marks and three inside 50s per game for Swans in the WAFLW earlier this year.
Stribley said the announcement came as a shock, with her debut news revealed over the airport loudspeaker just moments before boarding the team flight.
Lost in conversation with Amy Franklin as the announcement was being made, Stribley was suddenly surrounded by her teammates eager to share in the good news.
“It’s a really big shock, I didn’t know it was coming at all,” Stribley said.
“Getting out there with the girls and playing at the top level will be really cool, it’ll be something I will remember forever. I’m over the moon and couldn’t be happier.
“They announced it over the speaker, I didn’t even hear what was going on!
“I just thought it was another flight announcement and didn’t hear much of it because I was mid-conversation with ‘Franky’ and then everyone just started getting around me.
“Someone started hopping on my back and started screaming…and I put two and two together.
“I don’t know what to think at the moment, I’m all over the place!”
Named as an emergency last week for last week’s clash with Geelong, Stribley said the experience was pivotal before taking the step up into the starting side on Friday night.
“It was a good experience to see how gameday worked last week, but a debut is something I have been wanting for a long time,” Stribley said.
“To get the call up, I can’t wait - and I’m so excited to run out tomorrow night.”
