Manjimup’s Dana East to debut for Fremantle Dockers in derby season opener against West Coast Eagles

A former basketballer from the South West will make her debut for the Fremantle Dockers on Saturday after coach Trent Cooper said there was “no way I couldn’t have picked” her. Dana East, who turned her hand to football only three years ago and was drafted by the club at the end of last year, will play her first game for the Dockers in their season opening derby against the West Coast Eagles. The Manjimup product is one of six players set to make their debut for the Dockers in the Fremantle Oval clash. At Friday’s pre-match press conference, Cooper said Dockers superstar midfielder Kiara Bowers had pushed for the 19-year-old’s selection. “There’s no way I couldn’t have picked Dana East, because I think Kiara Bowers wouldn’t have been happy if I didn’t,” he said. “Turbo (Bowers) absolutely loves her.” The Dockers also posted a video to the club’s social media of coaches and players breaking the news to the six debutants. It was a short and sharp message for East from Bowers, before she was swamped by teammates at the club’s Cockburn training facility. The club also posted a clip of East revealing the news to family members. “I’ve got some news for you,” she said. “I’m playing this weekend.” East was taken with pick 31 by the Dockers in the 2021 draft. Former Carey Park ruck Beth Schilling missed out on a West Coast Eagles debut in the same game after being drafted with pick 24 and playing in December’s pre-season practice game against the Dockers. The Eagles, who are embarking on their third AFLW season, unveiled three new debutants. After Saturday’s clash, both sides will hit the road for an extended period, with neither club playing in Western Australia again until February.