It was a sunny day for Fremantle’s first AFLW intraclub hitout for 2026, played on a pristine deck at Cockburn ARC Oval. Here’s what we learned...
'Turbo' at full throttle
Midfielder Kiara 'Turbo' Bowers will enter her eleventh season in the AFLW and it’s clear from the intraclub that ‘Turbo’ will once again have one mode only and that’s full power. She took on the match no differently to how she has approached every other game in her stellar career. The veteran booted the opening goal, chased down opponents, laid a trademark tackle and led the way exemplifying the high standard expected this season at Fremantle.
Vice-captain Gabby Newton praised the four-time Freo best and fairest and sounded a warning for AFLW Season 2026.
“Turbo just gets better year on year, she was incredible today, her work rate and skills with the footy have literally never been better.”
Give it to a Gabby, get among the goals
Gabby O’Sullivan was another senior player getting it done ahead of Round One in August. O’Sullivan not only booted a couple of goals, the 32-year old forward applied defensive pressure and laid some solid tackles.
“Their (O’Sullivan and Bowers) work rate was not only attacking, but defensively huge,” Newton said.
“There was one where Gabby O came off as a forward, nailed a tackle and got holding the ball for us. She does those things in training and in game and it’s very inspirational.”
Newton moved into the forward line for the second half. The All-Australian with a goal of her own and several score involvements working alongside Georgie Brisbane and Tilly Banfield.
Not just luck of the Irish
It’s been a big week for Freo's Irish players with Aisling McCarthy and Orlagh Lally selected to represent their homeland in the Australia v Ireland match on 1 August in Sydney. Both players showed why they would have been among the first selected for the representative side. McCarthy, the 2025 AFLW Fremantle Best and Fairest, was solid through the middle while Lally’s speed and agility on a wing made for exciting viewing. New recruit Aoife Healy had her first taste of an AFLW match and held her own, finding space and taking some key learnings.
Bell(a) of the ball
In the absence of Hayley Miller and Eden Zanker, Bella Smith started deep in the forward line for the first quarter and had four goals to halftime. The 24-year old played in the back half for the third term before moving into the ruck for the final quarter.
Fremantle's opening game for the 2026 AFLW Season will be Sunday 16 August against Port Adelaide at Cockburn ARC Oval. Ticketing information to follow soon!
