Fremantle’s Round 1 season opener against Port Adelaide at Cockburn ARC Oval will be extra special for one member of the Freo family with Irish recruit Aoife Healy set to make her AFLW debut.
The defender joined Fremantle in May from Cork, Ireland as a rookie signing and Healy has been learning her new craft during a three-month pre-season ever since.
“It's been crazy. It's been such a move, and it's obviously so, so different to home. I just think it’s been great finding people over here that make me feel comfortable, and the Club has been so good in just finding space where I can just be myself," Healy said.
"It’s just really nice, and I just feel so at home and so comfortable here."
Healy found out she would be making her debut at an all of Club staff meeting where CEO Simon Garlick made the surprise announcement in front of more than a hundred people.
"I’ve been living with Gabby (O’Sullivan) since I moved over, and Klaus (the cat), of course. The three of us live over here now together and she's been really great. Gabby’s also been at Fremantle since the first season, so she's a really good person to live with because she knows the ins and outs of the club and the AFLW, so she's been great."
History will be made on Sunday when Fremantle run out onto their new home ground, Cockburn ARC Oval, to play for premiership points against Port Adelaide.
Healy hoping the Purple Army will be out in force to support the AFLW as the season gets underway.
“I'm expecting a lot of excitement and hopefully loads of Freo fans. But I'm just really excited to run out with the girls," Healy said.
Gates open for Sunday’s clash with Port Adelaide at Cockburn ARC Oval from 11:30am with the match to commence at 12:35pm
