Saturday won’t just be the day of Gabby Newton’s birth – it’ll be the day of her footy rebirth.
On the same afternoon she turns 23, Newton will feature in Fremantle colours for the first time, with the Dockers’ prized off-season recruit looking to mark the double celebration with a win.
Making the day even more special will be the former No.1 draft pick featuring in front of her family and friends against Essendon at Windy Hill, with the clash marking a return to her native Victoria having crossed from the Western Bulldogs.
Newton landed at the Dockers along with former Collingwood defender Ash Brazill as part of last December’s 11-club mega trade, having played 36 games across four seasons at the Dogs.
It was there she formed a bond with Fremantle’s head of AFLW Claire Heffernan and coach Lisa Webb, who at the time were working at the Victorian club.
When the chance for a fresh start at the Dockers came along, the opportunity for Newton to reunite with familiar faces was too good to pass up.
Webb confirmed Newton’s Dockers debut on Tuesday, saying she had high hopes for a big impact from the utility in the west.
“She’s put together a lot of work in preseason. We’ve obviously had many chats over the years, and she is someone that is not only a great footballer but a fantastic person and we’re delighted for her to be playing on her birthday in round one,” Webb said.
“It was a bit awkward if I didn’t pick her on her birthday her mum was gonna get right into me, so I thought I better play her round one.
“She’s done a mountain of work, and she’s a terrific player in person, and yet excited to see her run out this weekend.”
Fremantle have re-structured their leadership group for 2024 with Ange Stannett chosen to take over from former skipper Hayley Miller despite being ruled out for the season with an ACL injury.
Webb says Stannett will play a key role on game day as an extra coach and will be on the sideline to communicate messages to the group.
“She’ll be coaching from the bench, listening to some of the stuff that I sent through to her, and she’s got really strong leadership and connection with trademarks,” Webb said
“She’ll be reiterating with players anything that she sees and really reinforcing those values that we want to see on game day.”
Source Agencies
