Dongara’s Roxy Roux ready for AFLW redemption in preliminary final after 2020 pain

Gail Kinsell sat heartbroken on a beach and watched tears well up in her daughter Roxanne Roux’s eyes after the 2020 AFLW Final series was cancelled.

Roux, from Dongara, and the Dockers had just set up a preliminary final with Melbourne when the news came through that the season would not be finished because of the outbreak of COVID-19.

“We sat there, and I just watched the tears well in her eyes,” Ms Kinsell said.

“It was one of the hardest moments of our lives, but then she’s the kind of girl that will look at that, then shake it off and keep moving forward.”

And so are the Dockers.

Two years later, Fremantle are once again facing a huge preliminary final, and this time they will only need to beat the opposition, Adelaide.

Roux, who was drafted in 2019, has kept evolving her game over the last two seasons, but injury interrupted her 2022 season.

However, Ms Kinsell said Saturday’s preliminary final against the Crows in Adelaide was the perfect place for her daughter to show her class.

“We haven’t seen her full impact this year, but I feel with the prelim coming up, she will be right to show (her abilities),“ she said.

“I’m really nervous.

“And I really really want them to win and make the grand final.

“Every single one of them has worked hard, and they are all so hungry, and they need to win and get there.

“They deserve it.”

The 19-year-old forward has already captured the attention of fans around the league with her high leaping and her knack for goal, but her coach at the Dongara Eagles Junior Football Club, Rob Mark, was not surprised by her success.

“I coached quite a few girls who were good, but Roxy was just. . . a little bit better than everyone else,” he said.

“Some people play their whole lives and don’t play a final, but Roxy will thrive.”

Ms Kinsell said she would “move heaven and earth” to be at the grand final should the Dockers get there.

“I might leave all the other children behind, but I will be there,” she laughed.

“If they get there, it’s going to be a joyous occasion.”