
Fremantle Dockers draftee Holly Egan to miss 2025 AFLW season after scans reveal ACL injury
Egan was the Dockers' second pick in last year's draft, taken at No.34, with the Murray Bushrangers defender noted for her speed and athletic craft and has been trialled across half-back through the pre-season so far.
However, the 19-year-old will now spend her first year in the rehabilitation group, with Fremantle's head of AFLW Claire Heffernan saying the club would support her as best they could.
'Football can be a tough sport at times, especially with Holly being a draftee,' Heffernan said.
'She has already made a significant impact on the group, not only with her football ability but also the connections she has made with her teammates and staff since arriving here.
'We are naturally all devastated for Holly and will do everything we can to support her during her recovery from this injury, which she will attack with the same tenacity and determination she has shown since joining the team.'
Egan will be sent for surgery before a timeline for her return next season will be finalised.
The Docker is the sister of Richmond star Grace Egan, who she credited for helping her make her way onto an AFLW list.
'She's helped me so much and I think that's what got me over the line this year,' Holly said earlier this year.
'My drive to want to be drafted, I think that's come from her.'

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West Australian
8 hours ago
- West Australian
Fremantle Dockers to fly to South Australia the day before Port Adelaide clash amid change to routine
Fremantle have changed their travel routine for Saturday evening's game against Port Adelaide and decided to fly to South Australia on Friday to avoid an extra night away from home. The Dockers traditionally fly interstate two days before their games, arriving at their destination at night. The team then has meetings and a captain's run the day before the match and flies home straight after the game. But a 7.40pm start in South Australia means they need to stay overnight in Adelaide after the match. In an attempt to still spend only two nights away, the club has decided that their charter flight will leave Perth early on Friday and the squad will then hold the Captain's Run on the same day. Fremantle could face a similar scenario in the last game of the season with a strong possibility they will be scheduled to play against the Western Bulldogs in Victoria on the Sunday night. That match is looming as the last game of the round given it will have a massive impact on ladder positions. The Dockers stuck to their usual pre-game routine for a night game against St Kilda, got thrashed by 61 points and then lost at home the following week too after staying an extra night in Victoria. Fremantle have a six-day break before next week's home game against Brisbane and flying home on Sunday will also impact their preparation for that match. West Coast have flown interstate the day before night matches several times this season in an attempt to reduce their time away from home. Dockers defender Jordan Clark said some players had already decided to catch an earlier flight on Thursday so they could have their normal interstate routine, but he will be on the charter flight. 'I'm still travelling with the team. I prefer to stay an extra night in my own bed. I'm a bit of a home body,' he said. 'A few of the senior players have decided they want to go the night before. But whether it's landing late on a Thursday night or landing at 10 on a Friday morning, I don't think there's too much of a difference.'

Sydney Morning Herald
9 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘I think we should do it': AFLW captains push for Origin series in quest for more games, viewers
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The Age
9 hours ago
- The Age
‘I think we should do it': AFLW captains push for Origin series in quest for more games, viewers
Molloy wants more footy and more chances to put the game's elite players in the spotlight, and has long wanted the All-Australian side to play together each year. 'I'm lucky to have a couple of All-Australian blazers and I think to myself, God, I'd love to see this team play,' Molloy said. 'I don't know where we play or who we play against, but I always thought to myself that it would be intriguing. 'We've seen so many exciting formats in the men's game, we've seen Origin in the past [in AFLW] and I'd love it. I'd absolutely love it. 'Any way we can showcase talent and put them all together – I'd love to see it in any format.' Some captains also expressed interest in an Australia v Ireland series between AFLW and Gaelic football stars, given the influx of Irish talent. But whatever the format, it must be a good product. 'We need to make sure it is something people want to watch and really build it up,' Crows captain Sarah Allan said. The teams If State of Origin were to return, Molloy believed the teams should be decided based on where a player's club is located, not where they were raised. But there is still strong state allegiance from those who would don an Allies jumper. Collingwood skipper Ruby Schleicher was already picking her WA side mid-interview – Ebony Antonio and Emma Swanson were among her selections – and hatching a plan to claim Chelsea Randall from South Australia's clutches. 'It would be great to get the old gang back together of people we used to play against in the WAFL,' Schleicher said. 'There is that state pride, there is nothing like putting your own colours on. But whatever it looks like, I'll put my hand up.' Carlton captain Abbie McKay said she would jump at the chance to play for Victoria or Australia. 'It would be awesome,' McKay said. 'I played one year for Vic Metro [at under-18 level] and it would be an honour to do it again.' Queensland could also field a strong side considering Brisbane Lions are a perennial contender and the Gold Coast are producing a host of talented players. 'There is that much talent that Queensland could have our own team – I'd probably say Queensland, South Australia and Victoria could all give it a red-hot crack,' Hawthorn captain Emily Bates said. The standard The AFLW played a State of Origin game in September 2017, when a Debbie Lee-coached Victoria thumped the Allies by 97 points at Marvel Stadium. Daisy Pearce, Ellie Blackburn and Jasmine Garner were among the stars for the Vics. Schleicher was adamant such a result wouldn't be repeated. 'Hey, hey, hey, you are talking to a WA girl here – of course not,' Schleicher exclaimed. Bates was a part of the Allies team in 2017. 'We got absolutely pumped, so that wasn't a great memory,' she recalled. 'But I think it would be great for the game and showcase the best talent available, I'm keen to see it happen again.' Richmond captain Katie Brennan was also on that Allies side and said the talent is far better than in 2017. 'The talent from all the different states is extraordinary now,' Bates said. 'I'm a Queenslander, born and bred, and that talent pathway has gone from strength to strength. There would be more competitive balance out there and it would be an awesome sight to see.' Molloy was more pragmatic about the format. 'The under-18s is where we display our state talent. I would take a more holistic view and have the Allies playing Victoria as Victoria is like the footy capital,' she said. The timing The league's continued expansion is written into the CBA – with the current 18-team competition only playing for 12 rounds plus finals. While Origin would be a way to get more games in the calendar, the same issues that plague discussions of the return of the competition for the men's game would be problematic for the women. Playing a series on the eve of the season could see star players injured ahead of their club campaigns; playing at the end or in the off-season would interrupt their breaks. Playing representative football in the middle of the regular season – for example, making the game a showcase event on AFL grand final day or eve – is also likely to be unpopular with clubs. 'The only trouble [in 2017] was the injuries that came from the game, so that would be a risk. But I think we should do it,' Bates said. 'Timing is tricky. Girls often travel in the off-season and whatnot, I think the perfect time would be straight after the season when you still have your match fitness.' Molloy ruled out a mid-season Origin. 'I don't think fixturing it during the season is appropriate. We want to win the premiership, every team wants to win the premiership, so you don't want to take away from that journey.'