Steph Chiocci and Brianna Davey will continue to co-captain Collingwood’s AFLW side in 2022 and will head up a new look leadership group.
The pair will be supported by foundation players Brittany Bonnici, Ruby Schleicher and Stacey Livingstone who will all serve as vice-captains for the upcoming campaign.
As the Pies’ inaugural skipper, Chiocci will take the reins for a sixth consecutive season, whilst Davey will lead for a second term as captain.
Since making her debut in the inaugural AFLW match in 2017, Chiocci has played all but two games across her five seasons. Her re-appointment makes her the competition’s longest-standing AFLW captain alongside Adelaide’s Chelsea Randall.
Davey capped off a stellar 2021 season being the recipient of the club’s 2021 best and fairest. The 26-year-old shared in the AFLW’s highest individual honour when crowned the joint winner of the AFLW’s Best and Fairest medal and named All Australian captain.
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Fellow 2021 All-Australian Bonnici returns to the Pies’ leadership group having served as a leader throughout the 2018 and 2019 seasons.
The 24-year-old has finished top three in the club’s best and fairest count over the past three years and currently holds the record for the most games played by any Collingwood AFLW player (39) having not missed a match since her debut in 2017.
Schleicher had a breakout season down back in 2021 and tallied the highest intercept possessions (90) for the league which saw her rewarded with All Australian honours as well as the runner up of the club’s Best and Fairest award.
Rarely beaten one-on-one, Livingstone led the league in rebound 50s (52) in 2021. The reliable full-back was also named in the AFLW Team of the Year.
Collingwood’s Head of Women’s Football, Jess Burger, said this season’s leadership group possesses a strength that will nurture and drive the wider group.
“We are delighted to have both Steph and Bri continue as our captains in 2022,” Burger said.
“Both players demonstrate elite leadership qualities in their own right. To have them continue in their role as co-captains provides great stability for the program.
“Britt, Stacey and Ruby have proven to be strong leaders within the team, and we are pleased to reward them with official leadership roles.
“As a collective, the five bring a wealth of experience to our program and offer different leadership styles, positional roles, and personalities. They complement each other really well. We’re excited to see where they can lead this team in 2022.”
The 2022 AFLW season is set to commence in the first week of January.
