Walyalup has confirmed its extended squad of 24 to take on North Melbourne in Round 3 of the NAB AFLW Season, this Sunday 31 August, headlined by the return of utility Tunisha Kikoak.
Kikoak has been named in the backline alongside Laura Pugh, Jess Low, Indi Strom and Emma O’Driscoll, after missing the side’s Round 2 game against Brisbane due to a concussion sustained in Round 1.
Defender Ash Brazill will miss Walyalup’s clash with North Melbourne this Sunday after the vice-captain suffered a groin injury during last Saturday’s game against the Brisbane Lions.
Senior Coach Lisa Webb spoke to media on Thursday morning and said the side has moved on from the Round 2 defeat to the Lions and is looking ahead to North Melbourne.
“North are a really good contested team as well. They were really impressive against Port Adelaide, but that’s a challenge we want,” Webb said.
“We’re never going to shy away from that, and we learnt some really important lessons from last week and (we’re) looking forward to putting out a really good outfit against North.
“We’re a really proud group – they’ve got so much fight and so much hunger and I can’t wait to see the response this week.”
Walyalup’s extended bench contains two potential debutants in Indi West and Holly Ifould, with West recently signed as a replacement player for Holly Egan last month, and Ifould in her second season at the Club.
Webb said she wants any player coming into the side to go back to the trademark and play their role.
“It’s an exciting opportunity for whoever comes in as well. (We want them to) play their role, (and) stick to the way we want to play,” Webb said.
Joining West and Ifould on the extended bench are Phil Seth, Georgie Brisbane, Gabby Biedenweg-Webster, Gabby O’Sullivan, Amy Mulholland and Jo Cregg, who could also come into the side if named in the final team on Friday.
Players from the AFL men’s squad will be at Fremantle Oval pre-game conducting a signing session to show their support and meet fans.
“The boys will be down, which will be great,” Webb said.
“They’re great supporters of us, we’re an all-in (Club), so there’ll be plenty of things we get to look forward to on field, but there’s a lot of things the Club are putting on off-field as well.”
The game will be broadcast live on Channel 7 and Fox Sports, and streamed live on Kayo, Binge and 7plus from 1pm WST.
Walyalup's final team will be announced at 3pm WST on Friday at fremantlefc.com.au.
