FREMANTLE will build its inaugural women's team around two elite midfielders, Kara Donnellan and Kiara Bowers.

Eight of the 16 marquee players announced last Wednesday have been playing in the WAWFL.

Newly appointed coach Michelle Cowan said the Dockers were keen to build their inaugural list with locals.

The Dockers nominated five West Australians for marquee status, with Cowan delighted to secure the gun midfielders. 

"They're both exceptional, elite midfield athletes," Cowan said.

"But they can also be really versatile in their game as well. Kara has played a bit in the backline and can go forward.

"Kiara Bowers is (among) the elite midfielders going around the country. (Her) running is incredible and at the highest level.

"Second to that, their character and their leadership was something that was really important to us as a pillar for drafting our players and to continue to build our team.

"Their leadership at their clubs is exceptional.”

Donnellan is originally from Victoria but moved to Western Australia four years ago and was very keen to stay. The versatile midfielder is so well regarded she goes by the nickname ‘Juddy’ after dual Brownlow medallist Chris Judd.

"I've had the nickname for quite a few years now," Donnellan said.

"An old coach of mine and a really influential person in my life, Debbie Lee, gave me the nickname at training one night and it's stuck. I obviously loved Juddy and the way he played."

Donnellan captained West Coast in this year's exhibition Western Derby, but was delighted to be representing Fremantle from next year.

Bowers' journey to the new women's competition is quite remarkable.

She played football for two women's teams that folded due to a lack of numbers and interest. But her persistence has paid off and the hard-running midfielder thinks girls will no longer have as much difficulty finding clubs to play for in the future.

"I started playing after schoolgirls level," Bowers said.

"My team actually folded. I jumped online and searched for the closest female team I could play for and I found Southern River (in Perth). They folded later on and then I ended up at Coastal Titans and that's where I've been ever since."

Bowers goes by the nickname 'Turbo', although she believes it has more to due with her endurance than her speed. She was a distance runner in her youth.

A Melbourne supporter growing up, Bowers has played for the Demons in exhibition series matches.