Fremantle superstar Kiara Bowers has stunned teammates by announcing her pregnancy at training.
As the players gathered in the gym, coach Lisa Webb asked if anyone had any exciting news they would like to share.
Bowers, who goes by the nickname Turbo or Turbs, then took a deep breath and announced: “I’m pregnant.” Ecstatic teammates went crazy when hearing the news, which you can see in the video above.
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The baby is due in October, which means the 32-year-old will be miss the entire 2024 AFLW season.
It will be Bowers and partner Adele Coxall’s second child after Nate was born in June, 2020.
“The build-up was very nerve-racking, I’ve probably never been that nervous,” Bowers said after telling her Fremantle teammates.
“They may be a bit upset that I’m not annoying them at training anymore, but every single one of them gave me a hug and couldn’t be happier for us.”
Their social media post was flooded with likes and comments from fans and the AFL community.
“I’m that bloody excited for you both ❤️🔥🫶🏽🥰❤️ congratulations again!!!” Teammate Ebony Antonio said.
“Eeeeeeeeeyessssssss ❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥 best news ever,” teammate Ange Stannett said.
“Awww congrats legend,” Adelaide star Ebony Marinoff said.
“Screaming crying throwing up I’m SO HAPPY FOR YOU GUYS😍😍😭😭😭😭,” former teammate and now Collingwood player Mikayla Hyde said.
Bowers has been one of the best players in the AFLW since joining Fremantle ahead of their inaugural season in 2016.
She missed the first two seasons through injury, but has since gone on to win the AFLW best and fairest award and selected in three All-Australian teams, as well as four club best and fairests and the AFLW Coaches’ Association champion player of the year award.
Bowers is one of the most high-profile players to step away from the AFLW while pregnant.
Melbourne legend Daisy Pearce gave birth to twins in 2019, sitting out a season before returning to play a role in the Demons’ charge to their breakthrough premiership in 2022.
Pearce is now coaching Fremantle’s biggest rival, West Coast.
The 2024 AFLW season is earmarked to get under way in August, but the league is yet to confirm any formal dates.
– With AAP