As far as school excursions go, Comet Bay College's visit to the Fremantle Dockers facility last Thursday was as good as it gets.

Freo have enjoyed a long-standing association with Comet Bay since 2007, and in 2018, their female program expanded to be able to hold stand-alone female classes and field their own teams.

Inaugural Fremantle fairest and best winner Dana Hooker ran the group through a training session, gave a presentation about life in the AFLW and hosted an extensive Q&A. 

The group then watched from the sidelines as Freo’s AFLW team trained and hit the gym. 

Hooker said she made the Comet Bay session mirror that of the AFLW session later that evening.

“I modelled it as a step down of the drills we do so they could try it and then see it in action,” Hooker said.

“It gave them a taste of AFLW life and gave them an idea about the workload, the schedule and commitment involved. 

“It was a really fun afternoon, the girls brought really good energy. They were so excited to meet us and see how we train.”

Hooker said she could tell the group took a lot from the gym session. 

“It’s broadened their horizon and shows what it takes to get there but also how rewarding it is,” Hooker said.

“In the gym, we lift to get better at football. I think for these girls, they hadn’t seen females working to that intensity level, doing circuit drills and seeing us push each other through.

“I don’t think they would have seen females in that elite light before. Just the intensity and the way we went about our business but also how we had fun with it and enjoyed the workload as well.” 

Comet Bay Phys Ed teacher Sam Mainwaring was glowing in his assessment of the afternoon.

“It was an invaluable experience for the students and the feedback we have received from them was overwhelming, they loved it!” Mainwaring said.

“They couldn’t wait to try out the activities they had learned in our session and to replicate what they saw the women’s players doing.

“I think my favourite part was seeing the students watch the women’s team perform their strength and conditioning component of training up close. 

“For a lot of the students, it was their first time watching women’s athletes at the elite level. I know it has definitely inspired a lot of our girls to start dreaming a bit bigger.

“I’d say Freo have just recruited 33 new Fremantle AFLW supporters and, hopefully, one day some players.”