Small forward Noa McNaughton says Fremantle are ready for the challenge against Geelong after the teenager’s break-out game in the side’s last-gasp 11-point win over St Kilda.
The 19-year old, who hasn’t missed a game since her Round 3 debut, slotted two goals and had six score involvements, but credited her teammates with the win.
“All the girls really put their heads down and worked extremely hard in the last quarter, and it was really exciting to see,” McNaughton said.
“Westy (Indi West) putting her body on the line was incredible. She's a player that does that week in, week out.
“We never drop our heads. We believe through the four quarters anything can happen. We've got some super-talented players in the team who can just make it happen like that.”
McNaughton, a pre-season signing after Áine Tighe was moved to the inactive list, is just happy to be mixing it with some of the best forwards in the competition including Fremantle’s off-season recruit and former Demon, Eden Zanker.
“She’s an extremely great player. Some of her marks are insane, and if she's not marking it there, I know that I'm there at her feet. I love watching her play and she's just a genuinely great forward player,” McNaughton said.
“I think my game was just off the back of some awesome inside 50s and some pretty awesome performances. I was glad to be on the end of those, but I also felt like it was a great team moment to just get so much momentum.”
McNaughton has kicked seven goals in eight games, with her two against St Kilda the second time she’s kicked multiple goals in a game this AFLW season. The teenager crediting Fremantle forwards coach, Max Duffy, with her improvement.
“He’s awesome. I've learnt so much being here at Freo and I feel like I've just grown so much as a player, and that's under Maxy’s guidance,” McNaughton said.
It’s no secret the crumbing forward enjoys the craft of celebrating a goal.
“I feel like they (the celebrations) come to me in the moment,” McNaughton said.
“I feel like it's awesome to celebrate all the small things, that was something we were wanting to do as forwards going in. Celebrating and lifting the vibe.”
After moving back into the top eight, Fremantle now switch focus to the challenge of playing the second-placed Cats in Geelong on Saturday.
“We all know that Geelong is a great side, but we're really excited for the opportunity. I feel like off the back of today, we are well and truly ready for them,” McNaughton said.
