Collingwood AFLW defender Ash Brazill has made the decision to step away from the 2022 AFLW season.
Brazill, who recently returned from international netball duties in the Quad Series, reached the decision with the support of the club’s football and netball programs.
Having juggled two elite sporting programs over the past four years, the 32-year-old is focused on managing her load to be physically prepared for selection ahead of the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and Collingwood’s upcoming Super Netball campaign.
Brazill returned from a knee injury last year. She ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her right knee during an AFLW match in 2020 which saw her sidelined for the entire Super Netball season that same year.
As a foundation player of Collingwood’s Super Netball side, Brazill made history as the club’s first dual-code athlete signing with the Pies’ AFLW team in 2017. Since making her AFLW debut in round six of the 2018 season, Brazill has gone on to play 16 games in the black and white.
Receiving her first Australian Diamonds selection in 2015, Brazill has since earned 12 test caps, most recently having been a member of the side that won the Quad Series last month.
Brazill is contracted with Collingwood’s AFLW side for 2023.
Collingwood’s Head of Women’s Football Jess Burger understood Brazill’s decision to step away from football.
“While both Ash and the club are disappointed to not see her take to the field this season, we understand and support her decision to ensure she can best prepare and manage her body in a Commonwealth Games year” Burger said.
“We wish her all the best for the upcoming Super Netball season and for the pursuit of future international duties.”
Brazill informed her AFLW teammates of the news on Monday night.
“My body didn’t pull up as well as I wanted it to coming home from England and I need to get my body in the best shape possible to try and play for Australia and make that Commonwealth Games team,” Brazill said.
“It breaks my heart as (this team) means the absolute world to me and I know I wouldn’t have this Diamonds opportunity if it wasn’t for you all.
“I remember being a five-year-old kid playing with teddy bears doing signatures pretending I’d won a medal at the Commonwealth Games and I really don’t want to let that little five-year-old down. As much as I’m letting you guys down and I feel selfish picking this, I’m not leaving and I’ll still be here for trainings and games cheering you on.”
