ALWAYS having a passion for Aussie rules football, West Australian Grace Freeman took every chance she got to have a kick on her family farm. Growing up with an interest in the code, she had limited opportunities to further pursue that interest, but when she reconnected with the sport, she never looked back.

“I lived on a farm and I kicked the footy with dad, just on the grass out the front,” Freeman said. “Then I was actually doing dancing for a little while and wanted to do footy. When we moved to Perth I started doing footy when I was like 10, 9. Then started playing with the boys for a couple of years, and then moved to the girls and started at East Freo.”

The talented forward rates her set shots and kicking accuracy, alongside her defensive pressure as some of the strengths in her game. Cracking in for seven games after playing 26 games over three seasons at Rogers Cup level, Freeman kicked 6.3 and averaged six disposals for the League Sharks.

“It (playing League) was really good, it was really good to just do it with all the girls especially because some of our older players, getting around them and their long journeys,” Freeman said of winning the 2023 WAFLW premiership. “Winning that flag was really good and having that journey from Rogers to League was a really good step up.”

Since progressing from local level to run out for the Sharks, Freeman said she enjoyed the “inclusive and welcoming” atmosphere at East Fremantle, and enjoyed playing alongside like-minded girls.

Looking ahead to this year, Freeman anticipates she will play in a similar forward role, but is not worried if she is thrown around into different areas of the ground.

“Even if I get pushed around a bit I’m not too fussed about that,” Freeman said. “See if I can get a bit better at other positions.”

The Essendon supporter looks up to Madi Prespakis, with her mum having the biggest influence on her individual career. As for this year, Freeman said she had set her sights on playing more League football and “fingers crossed get drafted”.

“I am looking to improve on my ball skills and just clean pickups and also improving my leadership skills,” Freeman said. “It’s something that I have a bit of a passion for. There’s many things I have to work on, just improving as a player.”