Zippy Fish: East Fremantle product stars on AFLW debut for Sydney in win over Richmond
The East Fremantle product gathered 25 disposals and notched a game-high 511 metres gained as the Swans started their campaign with a 20-point victory over Richmond on Friday night.
Despite owning a standout junior resume, including starring in the Sharks' 2023 WAFLW premiership win as a 17-year-old and breaking the competition's single-game record for disposals with 39 last year, Fish slipped to the fifth pick of the most recent draft.
She previously would have had the choice between nominating solely for Fremantle or West Coast or make herself available to all 18 clubs, but last year's draft was the first to be fully national.
The performance was the latest in a series of standout moments for the 2024 draft class in its first game at the top level — No.7 selection Lucia Painter produced a three-goal third quarter in West Coast's victory Gold Coast, while top pick Ash Centra claimed a brilliant contested mark and slotted her first major at the level in Collingwood's loss to Carlton.
Earlier this week, Western Bulldogs premiership star Lachie Hunter — now an assistant coach with the Swans' AFLW program — told The West Australian Fish had looked 'totally comfortable' through her first season with the Swans.
'Even though she's playing down back, she's able to do some some things that not many kids are at that age,' Hunter said.
'People often don't have that when they're 18 years old — ball in hand, like, it can often look a bit jittery and you've still got to get used to the speed of everything but it really hasn't been the case.
'She's probably one of our best, ball-in-hand, already at 18, which is obviously something that's highly regarded for years to come. If you're doing that at 18, who knows where it can end up but she looks right at home.
'It seems odd to me that it seems to be this comfortable for her at 18 years-old.'
Another hugely talented West Australian, Molly O'Hehir, selected two spots higher than Fish at No.3 last year, is set to debut for Melbourne in their clash with Western Bulldogs on Saturday.
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