Kahla Emonson

No better way to spend International Women’s Day

It was International Women’s Day and there was a buzz around this fixture at Fremantle Oval.

Brisbane won their first ever AFLW away fixture at this ground and always bring that confidence on their trips West, so I was anticipating a close game against conference leaders, Fremantle.

Coronavirus had only just crept into our consciousness but it seemed like business as usual for the Lions staff who had travelled from Brisbane to Perth one day prior.

With the team bus was held up in traffic from Perth to Fremantle, it was straight into preparations in the notoriously small visitors rooms once the team arrived.

When I headed out of the blaring sun and into the rooms, I was stoked to see the walls adorned with the Fitzroy guernseys the team would run out in for the day. The Lions are blessed with the best colour palette in football — home and away — so, I was already thinking about the post-game edits before I’d taken a single shot.

With a full contingent of players, staff, trainers and more in the tiny, very hot rooms — I always feel appreciative to be allowed to squeeze, duck and weave myself into enough positions to get the shots I want.

From a photography standpoint, my memorable moments were the quarter-time breaks where I was able to capture some of my favourite shots of the season — with the traditional stands of Fremantle Oval as the backdrop.

The Dockers were near unbeatable by this stage of the season but the Lions pushed them all the way — falling short by 3 late goals in the final term.

There was definitely something in the air that day, and after racing home to get into my edits with the Women’s Cricket World Cup Final on in the background — I felt really lucky to have had the chance to spend the day working around these amazing female athletes, surrounded by incredible and dedicated female club, venue and broadcast staff at every turn.

No better way to spend International Women’s Day.