Two fresh faces will make their debut in blue and gold when West Coast takes on the Western Bulldogs at Leederville Oval on Saturday.
Classy defender Cassie Davidson and silky forward Emily McGuire have been brought into the starting 21 for the club’s second home game of the season.
The dynamic pair earned their spot in the line-up following several strong performances in the Jan Cooper Cup.
Davidson, who was a travelling emergency for last weekend’s clash with Greater Western Sydney, is among the squad’s most experienced campaigners having already played 14 AFLW games with Fremantle across seasons 2017 and 2018.
She won the second most intercept possessions of any Docker during those two seasons, while also ranking fourth for rebound 50s, equal fourth for marks, eighth for tackles and ninth for total disposals.
The 23-year-old is also renowned as a good user of the football, having recorded the 18th best kicking efficiency in the league across 2017 and 2018.
McGuire also has experience at the highest level having represented Fremantle three times in 2018.
A former NAB AFLW Rising Star nominee, McGuire spent most of the pre-season training as a defender but was recently thrown forward – where she played most of her junior football – and kicked three goals in a Jan Cooper Cup fixture last week.
The 21-year-old takes the place of Tarnee Tester, who was deemed unavailable for selection due to a foot injury.
Davidson comes into the team at the expense of utility Kate Orme, who was omitted from the side.
Star midfielder Dana Hooker has been named for the contest despite copping an errant boot to the face last Sunday.
Hooker was felled late in the final quarter at Blacktown International Sportspark when Giant Ingrid Nielsen plucked the ball from the ruck and tried to snap a goal. Unfortunately she missed the Sherrin and collected Hooker in the jaw.
West Coast takes on the Western Bulldogs from 4.10pm AWST at Leederville Oval on Saturday.
Entry to the game is free and fans are encouraged to take public transport to the venue, which has limited parking.
For those who can’t make it to the game, it will be broadcast live on Channel 7 Perth, Fox Footy and the official AFLW app.
