Fremantle has confirmed its final team of 21 to take on Port Adelaide in Round 1 of the 2025 NAB AFLW Season this Sunday 17 August, headlined by major returns, milestones and debutants.
The star-studded midfield line-up includes the two 50-gamers in Kiara Bowers and Gabby Newton, Meg Kauffman alongside Mim Strom in the ruck, with Jess Low and Orlagh Lally named on the wing.
Speaking to media on Thursday morning, Newton said she was honoured to run out for her milestone match alongside Bowers.
“It’s a big honour but the most exciting part of the date is to be pulling on the jumper alongside Turbo, who’s also playing her 50th,” Newton said.
“I’ve always looked up to Turbo as one of the pioneers of the game and just the way she goes about it watching from afar, just her work rate and her ferocious tackling was a big part of why I wanted to be her teammate.”
Bowers reflected on her time away from the game in 2024, while also mirroring Newton’s thoughts in sharing the milestone together.
“It’s cool – I didn’t know if I was going to make it, and last year I was thinking, do I come back or not?”
“I knew that my first game would be 50, so to actually come back and do it alongside Gab (is awesome).
“Someone asked me this year who I’m excited to play with and the (debutants) are pretty cool and all the new girls, but I was pretty keen to run alongside (Gabby) in the midfield for our 50th,” Bowers said.
Skipper Ange Stannett, named in the backline, will captain the side on-field for the first time in her career, also returning for her first home and away game since 2023.
Fremantle’s bench of five consists of Tunisha Kikoak, Aish McCarthy, Amy Mulholland, Sarah Verrier and Gabby Biedenweg-Webster.
Phil Seth, Jo Cregg and Holly Ifould have been named as the three emergencies for the clash.
Last year was Fremantle’s first time facing Port Adelaide, as the side came away with an eight-point win in a 5.7 (37) to 4.5 (29) victory in Round 3 at Alberton Oval.
Bouncedown on Sunday is at 3.40pm ACST / 2.10pm WST at Alberton Oval, Adelaide.
The game will be broadcast live on 7mate and Fox Sports, and streamed live on Kayo, Binge and 7plus from 2pm WST.
