Collingwood’s AFLW program has today secured exciting talent with the signing of Grace Campbell and Tarni White.
The arrival of the pair comes as part of a three-way trade involving St Kilda and North Melbourne which saw Jaimee Lambert and Steph Chiocci depart Collingwood for the Saints.
The Pies have also acquired a First Round Pick (Pick 15) from the Kangaroos in exchange for a Second Round Pick (Pick 31) which was given to the Saints.
Campbell’s arrival at Collingwood marks her third AFLW club.
As a member of Richmond’s VFLW side in 2019, Campbell was an expansion signing with the Tigers’ inaugural AFLW side in 2020. The 27-year-old was then traded to North Melbourne at the end of the 2020 season.
With a total of 18 AFLW games to her name, Campbell was sidelined from the 2022 AFLW season with an ACL injury which she sustained during the pre-season.
White arrives at Collingwood after 32 games across four seasons with the Saints.
Originally from Queensland, the 166cm midfielder grew up playing for Coorparoo in the QWAFL before being drafted by the Saints with Pick 30 at the 2019 AFLW Draft.
White went on to debut in Round One of the 2020 season before sustaining an ACL injury. Since returning to the field, White has gone on to establish herself as one of the Saint’s best utility options spending time as both a midfielder and half-back particularly during season seven where she averaged 11.8 disposals per game and led the side in tackles (average of 6.6 per game).
Collingwood’s Head of Women’s Football Jess Burger said the Club is excited to welcome the pair into the program.
“We’re excited to have both Grace and Tarni join our program for season eight of the AFLW competition,” Burger said.
“Both players are natural leaders who are extremely mature and despite facing injury interruptions throughout their careers, have shown great resilience and perseverance which we admire.
“Grace is a hard-body, repeat effort player who consistently brings pressure to the game. Despite an unlucky run with injury, she is determined to return to her best in 2023.
“Tarni provides great versatility with the ability to play both through the midfield as well as at half-back. She offers an exciting brand of football with exceptional run and great ball use.
“Through the pair’s signing, we have been able to secure two exciting, young talents who epitomise the Club values and who will positively contribute to our program by driving the elite standards both on and off the field. This will benefit both the current and mid-term strategy of our women’s football program.”
The AFLW’s 2023 Sign and Trade Period opened today and will close on Monday, March 20 at 3pm.
