Collingwood key defender Ash Brazill has today announced she will return to the football field in Season Seven of the AFLW Competition after securing a gold medal with the Diamonds, Australia’s national netball team, in the 2022 Commonwealth Games held in Birmingham.

A dual athlete at Collingwood, Brazill has played 16 AFLW matches across five years while also representing the Magpies in the Super Netball Competition.

An All Australian after a breakout 2019 season, the 32-year-old took time off football earlier this year – missing season six of AFLW – to focus on netball and the Diamonds’ Commonwealth Games campaign.

Head of Women’s Football Jess Burger said she was pleased to see Ash return to the football field.

“On behalf of Collingwood, we congratulate Ash on her gold medal win and we congratulate the Diamonds on their success at the Commonwealth Games,” Burger said.

“Ash is much-loved member of both the football and netball programs at Collingwood, and we are proud to see her returning to footy in season seven of AFLW.

“She is a strong leader with an elite work ethic who has experienced a sporting career balancing two sports – both of which she is extremely talented at and passionate about. It is quite unique and something we remain supportive of Ash pursuing.

“Ash has recently returned to training with the AFLW team, and while we are yet to set an exact return date to playing a match, we hope that is not too far away.”