Dana Hooker has revealed how difficult it was to leave Fremantle and join the club’s arch rivals, West Coast.
Speaking to ABC Grandstand recently, Hooker opened up on the complexity of moving to the Eagles after bleeding purple for three years.
However, the AFLW star said she was happy with her decision and excited to start afresh in blue and gold.
“It was obviously a pretty hectic sign and trade period and lots of emotions flying around when you make the decision to switch teams, let alone when there’s a big rivalry here in WA with West Coast and Fremantle,” Hooker said.
“But I am feeling really great about the decision and the club has welcomed me with opening arms. They have just really gotten around me and I’m excited to be here”
Hooker said she was grateful for the support of West Coast Eagles head of female football Adam Selwood, who she said expressed an interest in recruiting her more than 12 months ago.
“Adam was the one who went hard after me and had those early conversations before the sign and trade period,” Hooker said.
“He invited me around to his house, where I got to meet (AWLF senior coach) Luke Dwyer, the head coach, and Adam himself to talk about the potential opportunities and what it was going to look like at West Coast.
“He’s a wonderful character and he’s done really great things for the program already and we haven’t even taken the park.”
As excited as Hooker was to swap her chevrons for wings, the two-time AFLW Best and Fairest runner-up knew her crosstown switch would be controversial and provide a compelling storyline ahead of the AFLW’s first Western Derby.
Like the clubs’ passionate fans, Hooker cannot wait to find out when that game falls in the 2020 fixtures.
“I think the derby is going to be a huge game and there will be anticipation from all the fans on both sides,” she said.
“Obviously with Fremantle there’ll be a few upset fans with the player movement that’s happened, not just myself, but for the eight other girls that have moved across.
“The fans in WA are so passionate, both West Coast and Fremantle fans, and I expect it’s going to be a game played in really high emotion but good spirits and I can’t wait.”
