I agree with Drubbing, whole heartedly.
Ok, before I forget or have other things overwhelm me, here's a few thoughts I have on our women's team this past season.
I was concerned that losing a gaggle of players to those twits up the road were going to really hurt the squad - especially That Player That Jordo Says is Ok. Instead, it seemed to galvanise the team. We lost two rucks but brought in Strom who stood up magnificently. We lost one of our best ball winner/distributors but Katie-Jayne Grieve exploded and Kara Antonio unbelievably stepped up another notch. No Hooker, no worries - we're actually better in the middle, I mean way better.
Hayley Miller had a fantastic season - fast, mobile and always in the thick of the action. Ebony Antonio as well - last year she looked a bit lost to me, this year she was right onto it, better than ever. Losing Steph Cain was always going to hurt - Bianca Webb came in and excelled. So too did Emma O'Driscoll, great positioning and a great set of hands that clunked many important balls (including a game saver). But you can't find a more promising newbie than Roxy Roux - she's the Buddy Franklin of our women's team.
Sabrina Duffy, what can you say - Hayden Ballantyne at his best, what a nose for goal and with a bag of skills and tricks that any player would envy (any gender). Her best year yet.
Gabby O'Sullivan was magnificent as well - attacks every contested ball hard, makes every contested marking contest a real contest and knows how to conjure up an escape toward goal like no other. Hell, even that checkside Ed Langdon kick off the right worked a treat for her this year.
Gemma Houghton has to be the most dangerous forward in the game - sure, maybe some better kicking toward goal would help, but her play on after taking a contested mark was fantastic. It takes a lot to get hold of her, impossible to tackle when in full flight. Best tatts in the league.
In the back I just thank the Lord almighty for Evie Gooch- without her we've got problems, with her the sky is the limit. As smart as they come, as tough as they come, there are few better long kicks in the league. Cuthbertson was excellent - where did she come from? - Stannett, Mascall and Pugh were superb as well.
There are many others - Stewart, Clifford, Sharp, Seth and Flood being notable standouts.
Sure, I'm an unashamedly staunch Kiara Bowers admirer, honestly who isn't? The best in the league, by a long long way. I hope she plays for the next decade, her football is game changing.
To Trent Cooper and the rest of the coaching team, well done - I've no idea how you managed to put (and hold) together a team like that. In all honesty I thought you would bomb out when you got appointed - for no reason, it just seemed more likely than not. But you're the best, you made women's footy in Fremantle the team even the most ardent naysayer has come to be proud of.
Once again, thank you all. Damn, that was a great season of footy.