Fremantle Dockers AFLW player profiles for 2017 season
IN many ways Fremantle is an unknown quantity but is widely tipped to be a strong force in the AFLW with a squad all hailing from WA. Take a look at the Dockers’ full list.
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IN many ways Fremantle is an unknown quantity but being widely tipped to be a strong force.
Coach Michelle Cowan has picked a squad of 29 players who all hail from WA.
Keep an eye out for talented midfield pair Kara Donnellan and Kiara Bowers who were both marquee signings.
Take a look at the Dockers’ full squad below:
COACH — Michelle Cowan
Has been coaching in men’s and women’s state and national teams since 2004. Most recently served as a player development coach at Melbourne from 2013-16 while also coaching the Demons’ women’s side in that time.
1. Ashley Sharp
Age: 19 Hgt: 171cm
Half-forward/wing
Versatile with speed to burn and a super kick. Looks up to fellow Dockers speedster Stephen Hill.
2. Kiara Bowers
Age: 25 Hgt: 164cm
Midfielder
Marquee star who had knee surgery in September and will be unavailable for the 2017 season. Fans will remember her from Melbourne exhibition games.
3. Brianna Green
Age: 20 Hgt: 161cm
Midfielder
Classy ballwinner who stood out for East Fremantle in the WAWFL last year. While still developing, has good football knowledge.
4. Lara Filocamo
Age: 26 Hgt: 161cm
Midfielder
Hard-working, diminutive midfielder who never gives in. Fast, has great appetite for contested possessions and reads the play exceptionally.
5. Tayla Bresland
Age: 20 Hgt: 172cm
Defender
Captained Peel Thunderbirds in the WAWFL last year. Strong and hard-hitting player who loves to take a hanger and loves the challenge of taking on the star forwards.
6. Tiah Haynes
Age: 23 Hgt: 167cm
Midfielder/half-back
Back in the fold and driven to succeed after having two knee reconstructions. Was the No. 1 draft pick in the 2014 women’s draft.
7. Amy Lavell
Age: 29 Hgt: 173cm
Forward
Returned to the WAWFL in 2016, ending the season as the league’s leading goalkicker with 51 majors in 15 games including a haul of 10 against Claremont.
8. Taryn Priestly
Age: 27 Hgt: 168cm
Midfielder
Comes from a basketball background and turned in a super debut WAWFL season in 2016. Has very clean skills and one to watch this year.
9. Taylah Angel
Age: 24 Hgt: 168cm
Midfielder
A no-nonsense ballgetter with explosive speed and a penetrating kick on the run. Works as a concreter.
10. Stacey Barr
Age: 24 Hgt: 171cm
Half-forward
Former state-level basketballer who can take a nice mark. Has worked hard on fitness and could be used across the ground.
11. Tarnica Golisano
Age: 20 Hgt: 171cm
Half-back
Rebounding defender who can also switch into the midfield. Has a great work ethic and is always hard at the ball.
12. Ebony Antonio
Age: 25 Hgt: 173cm
Defender
Won a WNBL title with the Bendigo Spirit and also turned out for West Coast Waves/Perth Lynx before making the switch from basketball. Class player taken as a priority selection by the Dockers.
13. Kira Phillips
Age: 21 Hgt: 174cm
Forward
A forward with untapped ability, she won the goalkicking at Peel Thunderbirds the past three season. Hard-hitting, athletic and watch out for the leap.
14. Akec Makur Chuot
Age: 24 Hgt: 178cm
Ruck/defender
Premiership player with Swan Districts. Born in South Sudan and spent 12 years living in a refugee camp in Kenya before arriving in Australia.
15. Kara Donnellan
Age: 24 Hgt: 164cm
Midfielder
The second Dockers marquee. Absolute star who carries the nickname “Juddy” due to skills that have been likened to two-time Brownlow medallist Chris Judd.
16. Demi Okely
Age: 19 Hgt: 163cm
Midfielder/forward
Small but hard-working inside player who relishes the contested ball situation. Has speed and endurance — a handy combination.
17. Dana Hooker
Age: 25 Hgt: 171cm
Midfielder
Has played for Melbourne and the Bulldogs in exhibition games before taking time away from the game to have her daughter, Alice. Former All-Australian who is one to watch.
18. Belinda Smith
Age: 21 Hgt: 165cm
Defender
Was an under-18 All-Australian and provides run from the backline. Studying physiotherapy at Curtin Uni.
19. Hayley Miller
Age: 20 Hgt: 171cm
Midfielder/defender
First Fremantle player taken outside marquees and priority signing, Miller played many exhibition games for Melbourne. On the cusp of the very top level.
20. Stephanie Cain
Age: 20 Hgt: 168cm
Midfielder/half-back
Progressive type who hails from a soccer background and should be suited to the 16-a-side game.
21. Emily Bonser
Age: 21 Hgt: 163cm
Midfielder/half-back
Will miss the entire season — had ACL surgery on both knees in December.
22. Gabby O’Sullivan
Age: 22 Hgt: 167cm
Midfielder
Played US college basketball from 2013-16 before returning home to play footy at her father John’s old club, East Fremantle. Shows real talent.
23. Kirby Bentley
Age: 30 Hgt: 172cm
Midfielder
Has fought back from an ACL injury and a leader at the club. Played football until she could no longer play with the boys and went on to play state-league netball.
24. Melissa Caulfield
Age: 28 Hgt: 167cm
Forward/midfielder
Highly decorated — has won multiple best-and-fairest awards at WAWFL level and is former All-Australia. Quick, agile and classy.
25. Kelly Clinch
Age: 33 Hgt: 180cm
Ruck/defender
Firefighter who loves to surf and who has premiership experience in WAWFL footy. Super-competitive and also a former state league netballer.
26. Beatrice Devlyn
Age: 18 Hgt: 178cm
Midfielder
Injury replacement player for Emily Bonser. WAWFL Youth Girls best-and-fairest the past three seasons, she’s been playing since she was six.
27. Gemma Houghton
Age: 23 Hgt: 179cm
Defender
A promising state-level basketballer who was a standout performer in athletic testing at the Dockers’ talent search. Look for her off half-back.
32. Kim Mickle
Age: 32 Hgt: 168cm
Forward
Fremantle’s super cross-sport recruit. Won gold in javelin at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and competed at the Rio Olympics. Great skills in the indigenous games, as YouTube attests.
33. Cassie Davidson
Age: 20 Hgt: 166cm
Midfielder/half-back
Helped push East Fremantle to the WAWFL grand final last year with her inside drive.
DOCKERS DRAW
Rd 1: v Western Bulldogs, February 4 (away)
Rd 2: v Brisbane Lions, February 12 (home, Fremantle Oval)
Rd 3: v GWS, February 18 (away)
Rd 4: v Adelaide, February 26 (home, Fremantle Oval)
Rd 5: v Collingwood, March 4 (home, Rushton Park)
Rd 6: v Carlton, March 10 (home, Domain Stadium)
Rd 7: v Melbourne, March 18 (away)
Originally published as Fremantle Dockers AFLW player profiles for 2017 season
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