AFTER a heartbreaking early end to her top-age season, returning over-ager Macy Fair is determined not to dwell on the past. An anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear on the eve of her 18th year put any future development on hold for a while, but after plenty of reflection and advice from others, the 2007-born Fair is ready to make up for lost time and pickup where she left off.
>> 2025 Q&A: Macy Fair
We spoke to Fair at the recent Western Australia Preseason Testing Day about her last 12 months, the recovery, a timeline to return to play, and the players she has drawn inspiration from.
Q: Macy, how’s preseason been?
MF: “Getting there slowly. Definitely building. It’s been a lot of just building up the running and all that kind of stuff again. Getting into the change of direction through rehab. Getting there slowly, for sure.”
Q: How did you find rehab over the last year? What were some of the challenges that you faced?
MF: “It was definitely tough. Obviously not being able to play, and having footy be a part of your routine for so long and then to change so suddenly was definitely different, so I think finding things that filled that space, super important. Then just losing the fitness side of it and having to gain it all back and work really hard to get there again.”
Q: What role or position do you expect to play at Subiaco and the state program?
MF: “I think across the half-back line and out on the wing was where I was developing my craft last year, so to continue developing that and get my IQ back out there.”
Q: Do you have a timeline as to when you’re going to be good to go?
MF: “Looking at mid-May at the moment which will be 12-13 months post-op. Pretty on track at the moment.”
Q: What have you done in that time away from football and what are you doing after school to fill out your year?
MF: “I started uni, doing a teaching degree. Then just working full-time and travel a little bit as well. Then just a lot of time in the gym.”
Q: What do you see as some of the strengths in your game and what you still need to work on?
MF: “My speed and power was something that carried me through some of the games I got to play last year. Then working on my marking ability and my strength just around the ground, and then tackling would be another one, contest one-on-one especially through the backline role.”
Q: Do you watch a lot of footy? Who do you go for?
MF: “Yes, Freo.”
Q: Is there anyone that you look up to at the next level?
MF: “Post-surgery I went for coffee with Ange Stannett just because she had done a knee recently as well so getting to meet with her was really good and seeing her perspective on her rehab and how she was getting back into playing was really cool.”
Q: What’s the best piece of advice you got from her?
MF: “I think to just take it slowly and you’ll be ready when you’re ready, not to rush anything. Rehab isn’t a linear process, it’s up and down all the time and you just have to take it as it comes.”
Q: What goals have you set up for the year?
MF: “I think definitely to get back playing and ultimately get drafted at the end of this year if I work hard enough and be fit enough to play again. But just to have a good season and play some more footy.”
Q: What was the feeling like seeing girls your age go on and get drafted last year whereas you didn’t have the opportunity?
MF: “It was definitely a hard spot to be in because I hadn’t played, but it was also really motivating to see them do it. One of my close friends Olivia Crane, she had obviously done a knee then played most of her 18th year and then got drafted so I think that was really inspiring to see she was able to do that, but so happy for all of them, it’s so great.”
