Fremantle veteran Laura Pugh reveals how switch from backline general to forward line focal point came eventuated

A forgotten Dockers forward has been revealed as one of the unlikely sources of inspiration behind Fremantle’s best AFLW score under coach Lisa Webb. ELIZA REILLY finds out more.

It started as a joke.

However, a positional switch from defence to attack quickly became a reality for Dockers veteran Laura Pugh.

The 30-year-old has been a pillar down back for Fremantle since making her AFLW debut back in 2019. Pugh’s level head and clear direction in defence have earned her the nickname ‘The General’ and she finished in the top five of the Dockers’ best and fairest count last season.

But then a flippant conversation with Fremantle coach Lisa Webb during pre-season altered the direction of Pugh’s AFLW career.

The Dockers were chasing more height in attack. The addition of Gabby Newton during the trade period was the first step. But Fremantle wanted to ease the pressure and focus on focal point Aine Tighe.

Laura Pugh’s move from defence to attack has sparked Fremantle. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“I would joke to her a little bit during pre-season about wanting to go and kick some goals because I thought it would be fun,” Pugh said. “Then we started to practice it a bit and it worked.

“It’s been really refreshing to learn a new role. I also get a bit of time off playing on Aine at training which I always have to do when I’m playing back.

“I could play both (positions) but at the moment, I’m committed to staying up forward. It just depends on what the team needs.”

Pugh conceded that it was tough to leave the backline behind. But it’s also a testament to how far the Dockers backline has come that they no longer rely on her.

Emma O’Driscoll was selected in the All-Australian team last season. Madi Scanlon is continuing to grow in confidence after an injury-interrupted start to her career. Jae Flynn plays like a veteran despite being in just her second season. The Dockers also picked up Collingwood defender Ash Brazill during the trade period.

“It was pretty sad,” Pugh said of her departure. “I’ve played there since I started, got all of my opportunities down there, and was able to develop as a player.

“The girls are amazing though and I have full trust in them to play like they did on the weekend. You just know what they’re going to produce every week.

“We value each other’s roles and if everyone brings their strengths, we’ll be successful.”

Laura Pugh tries to stop Essendon’s Sophie Van De Heuvel. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Pugh kicked one goal from nine disposals in her forward line debut. But she’s found it hard to forget her defensive roots.

“It’s always good to get on the end of it but playing in the backline, you know how hard they’ve worked to bring the ball up or stop the goals,” she said. “Now I’m on the other end of it.

“There’s different scenarios where I’m like ‘Oh, what should I be doing now?’ But I just love playing off instinct. Initiating those running patterns instead of following someone around has been quite nice.

“Down back, I’d always get the golden fist out. But up forward, we’ve done a lot of learning and training on our marking. We’ve had Josh Corbett down who’s been helping us with our forward line craft which has been great.”

Josh Corbett (right) has been working with Freo’s AFLW forwards. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Pugh is just one pillar of a firing forward line that kicked 10.4 (64) against Essendon en route to a 43-point win. Not only was it Fremantle’s biggest win under Webb, but it was also the highest score the Dockers have kicked since she took over as coach.

“We were talking after the game and we looked at the scoreboard and saw that we’d kicked 10 goals and we didn’t realise that,” Pugh said. “In previous seasons, our own score has been quite low so this year we want to kick goals and that mid-forward connection has been of high importance.”

Originally published as Fremantle veteran Laura Pugh reveals how switch from backline general to forward line focal point came eventuated