Waalitj Marawar are embracing the team’s family values on their extending road trip in Melbourne this week, with Dana Hooker’s baby girl Zara and Emma Swanson’s baby boy Joey coming along for the ride.

Experienced midfielder Hooker said the club has been incredibly supportive in accommodating and understanding the family and footy balancing act.

“It’s been really great so far,” Hooker said.

“I’m fortunate to have my husband and my eight-month-old baby girl (Zara) with us on the trip, that’s been really great, and the club has been incredibly supportive with it.

“It’s hard leaving my nine-year-old (Alice) back at home but she’s at school and she’ll be entertained so she’s fine.

“I think the opportunity to get away is really good for us as a group, we can really hone in on these road game, with St Kilda coming up, and go to work and focus on just getting better and lining up our season.”

With a vast difference in ages across the team, ranging from 18 to 34, senior coach Daisy Pearce said it’s interesting to see the bonds formed within the group.

“We do it quite well, it’s always interesting to see the little groups that form, sometimes it’s surprising, but I love that about this group,” Pearce said.

“There’s always connection across the age groups, and to have two babies on the road adds to it as well, just a different dynamic in the group and it’s been really special and good to come together.”

Pearce reiterated that the extended stay allows the group to build deeper connections and spend extra quality time together.

“I think the timing of it will help us maintain energy by taking out a bit of travel,” Pearce said.

“We acknowledge it’s a bit of an abnormal week but embrace that it’s a bit different and spend some quality time together.

“We wouldn’t otherwise get (that extra time together) when we’re back in our busy lives and have to rush off to families, jobs and uni and that kind of thing.

“It’s such a great opportunity, particularly early in the season, five new players in our squad this year and it’s been a good chance to spend some time together.”

While Hooker is balancing a busy mum-athlete life, she said there is never a shortage of babysitters ready to step in and lend a hand.

“All the girls are always more than willing to grab the babies and take them when they can,” Hooker said with a smile.

“The babies love it, we love it, and I think it just makes for really authentic connections amongst the team as well.”