Despite never having lived away from home before, Gabby Newton has embraced life at Fremantle with ease after relocating across the country.
Newton, pictured in action during the AFLW Round 8 clash between Fremantle and West Coast at Sullivan Logistics Stadium on October 19, 2024, had spent her entire life in Melbourne before making the bold move to Perth.
“When I told my mum, I think I gave her the shock of her life,” Newton joked. “I said, ‘I’m moving out, and I’m moving across the country.’”
Newton explained that the decision to join Fremantle was made in close consultation with her family. “I’m really close to my family, so it was important they understood why I wanted to go to Freo,” she said. Support from familiar faces at Fremantle, including head coach Lisa Webb, Bob Murphy, and Claire Heffernan, further reassured her family about the move.
After five seasons and 36 games with the Western Bulldogs, where she was the No.1 draft pick in 2019, Newton has found herself thriving in Western Australia. She attributes much of her happiness to the laid-back lifestyle and proximity to the beach, as well as her improved fitness following major setbacks, including double shoulder reconstruction surgery in 2022 and a back injury during her first pre-season with Fremantle.
Newton’s physicality was on full display in Fremantle’s elimination final against Essendon, where she recorded an incredible 20 tackles. “Sometimes I forget about the massive shoulder injuries I’ve had because I’ve come so far since then,” she said.
Reflecting on Fremantle’s style, Newton praised the team’s relentless midfield approach, inspired by players like Kiara Bowers and Aisling McCarthy. “It’s just part of how Freo plays. Hopefully, we can keep bringing that physicality,” she said.
(L-R): Gabby O’Sullivan, Gabby Newton and Airlie Runnalls celebrate a win during week three, 2024. Picture: AFL Photos
Along with arguably the best ruck in the competition in Mim Strom and gun midfielder McCarthy, the 175cm Newton’s physicality and agility has been a key component of the Dockers’ rise in 2024.
After a few tough years at the rebuilding Bulldogs, Newton is relishing the opportunity to challenge at the pointy end of the season despite losing key players such as Bowers (pregnancy), Aine Tighe (knee) and captain Ange Stannett (knee) earlier in the year.
“The vibe’s incredible, it has been all season even when we’ve copped a couple of losses,” she said.
“Win or lose, we anchor back and re-set and focus on the next week. The belief these girls have is really inspiring, even the girls who aren’t on the field.
“Our non-playing players watch from the balcony and you can hear Aine [Tighe] screaming at the top of her lungs every week, so that gives us a real gee-up on-field, and Ange on the bench does an incredible job.
“Any time ‘Turbo’ is around – she bought little baby Luca training last night and she just gives you the biggest boost because she’s just such a beautiful human.
“They’re all champing at the bit to be back, but they’re such good heads for us to have off the field.”
Gabby Newton reacts after a win during week 10, 2024. Picture: AFL Photos
Newton may not be a Bulldog any more, but for Saturday’s match-up against perennial contender Adelaide, she knows the Dockers are another type of canine.
“We love being underdogs,” she said.
“I think we’ve shown and proved to ourselves throughout the season that not only can we come back from anything, but there’s this belief in us that we can get the job done. I think this group has so much grit and just a willingness to work and work together.
“So as much as probably the external noises is that we’re underdog this weekend, we have a massive belief in ourselves and hopefully that will get the job done.”
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