Inaugural Fremantle Docker Hayley Miller has spent most of her career as a midfielder in her previous nine AFLW seasons, adding speed, physicality and reliability into the mix.

However, the 81-gamer has always been able to impact on the scoreboard, booting important goals at the pointy end of games, and was previously Fremantle’s Leading Goalkicker in 2022.

The Club’s Round 1 clash with Port Adelaide saw Miller boot three majors as a forward, with two of those coming in the final minutes of the fourth quarter.

Miller spoke to media ahead of Fremantle’s first home fixture of the 2025 NAB AFLW Season against Brisbane and opened up about how working on her forward craft has given her a new love for the sport.

“I think previous years I've trained mostly as a mid, whereas this pre-season, I've been able to train a bit more as a forward,” Miller said.

“There's certainly a craft to it, and I watch football differently now.

“I think through the men's season, I was starting to watch the forwards and how they went about it.

“It’s been a challenge to learn a different way of playing footy, but I'm really enjoying the challenge.

The midfielder/forward praised Freo’s forward line, who continue to fine-tune their craft each week.

“When we’re making strides forward, and you can see where the improvement is coming each week, I think for me, as a leader it’s really pleasing and it’s really enjoyable to watch those girls flourish as well,” Miller said.

“I was able to get on the end of a few on the weekend, which was really pleasing, but it’s been so fun to work with our forwards group this year.

“I always used to be really jealous of the forwards when I was training as a mid – when they got to kick goals and they always looked like they were having a heap of fun down there, so to be in that mix, I’m having a lot of fun at training.”

Miller said she’s every possibility to play through the midfield or the forward line and will make the most of any opportunity.

“Wherever Webby wants me to play, I’m going to do that whether that’s through the midfield or up forward,” Miller said.

In lieu of Fremantle’s first home game of the season, Miller encouraged the Purple Army to get down to Fremantle Oval and show their support.

“It was an elimination final last time we were playing in front of home fans, and that was pretty special,” Miller said.

“To have Freo fans back down at Freo Oval, it's going to be fantastic – hopefully it's a really great day out.”