Fremantle have signed Gabrielle Biedenweg-Webster for the 2024 NAB AFLW Season as the replacement player for AFLW stand-out Ange Stannett after she sustained an ACL injury last month.
Hailing from country NSW, the 26-year-old came to football as a mature age player before making the move to Victoria to play VFLW.
Biedenweg-Webster won the Best and Fairest award for Williamstown before she was drafted by the Gold Coast Suns ahead of Season 7 in 2022.
On the Suns’ list for two seasons, Biedenweg-Webster played three games for the Club and was delisted at the end of 2023 before returning to Williamstown.
AFLW List Manager Darryn Fry said the Club is pleased to sign Biedenweg-Webster on for 2024, after having flown her over for a trial with the team last week.
“Following Ange’s devastating news, we had an extensive search nation-wide, trying to find the right player that fits our list needs best and Gabby’s a player who caught our eye through the VFLW,” Fry said.
“We flew Gabby over to Perth for a few days as a trial early last week and the way she seamlessly connected with the playing group and staff was pleasing to see.
“Something we also noticed in our interactions with her is her professionalism and diligence around her preparation and recovery.
“We often talk about the athlete and the footballer, but culturally, we’re also confident she’s going to add value to our group. Her engagement with players and staff on her first meeting with everyone was outstanding.”
Standing 176cm tall, Biedenweg-Webster plays primarily as a running defender with stints on the wing, consistently putting her athletic abilities on display.
“Her speed, athleticism and her run and carry are attributes that really stood out to us,” Fry said.
“She has a license to do that with Williamstown and we feel those attributes will benefit our side in the back half of the field.
“We know she has been an important part of a VFLW side that’s currently sitting at the top of the ladder in the league as well.”
Biedenweg-Webster will look to make the move over to Western Australia over the next week and commence training with the team upon her arrival.
