Collingwood midfielder Brianna Davey will continue the next chapter of Club history after being appointed as the Captain of the Magpies’ AFLW side in 2023.
Davey, who previously co-captained alongside former Pies player Steph Chiocci, will lead the team as sole captain.
The 28-year-old heads up a six-person leadership group alongside returning vice-captains Ruby Schleicher and Brittany Bonnici as well as leaders in Lauren Butler, Jordyn Allen, and Mikala Cann.
The 2021 AFLW Best and Fairest, Davey will make her long-awaited return to the footy field this season having been sidelined with her second ACL injury since Round One of Season Six.
Collingwood AFLW foundation players, Schleicher and Bonnici, will enter their third seasons as vice-captains of the side.
Bonnici, like Davey, is also set to return to the field this season having been sidelined with an ACL sustained in Season Six.
A two-time All Australian, Schleicher, recorded the second-highest total marks for the side last season (35) while 2023 will mark Butler’s second season as a leader.
A highly respected member amongst the playing group, Butler has been awarded Collingwood’s Players’ Player on two consecutive occasions.
The 22-year-old defender led the side in intercept possessions last season averaging 6.5.
Approaching their sixth season at the Club, Allen and Cann are new additions to the Pies’ leadership group.
Reining club Best and Fairest, Allen obtained the most marks for the side (46) and finished in the top-five percentile across the Club for average disposals (14.2) in season seven.
Cann led the team in contested possessions (128), clearances (39) and tackles (62) last season to finish in the side’s top five overall players.
Collingwood’s Head of Women’s Football Jess Burger congratulated the elected leaders.
“Not only is Bri an amazing leader, but she consistently drives the professional standards as an athlete,” Burger said.
“She epitomises outstanding leadership qualities and with her again re-elected Captain, it is a clear vote of confidence from the playing group and Club that she can lead them to success this season.
“Both Ruby and Brit have been leaders for several years now and as senior members of this side, they both have a great deal of on and off-field experience which is extremely valuable to our playing group.
“We’re excited to see Lauren, Mikala and Jordy step up into official leadership roles this season. All three play a key part within our side and we’re excited to see them continue to drive our standards this season.”
Appointment of the Club’s leaders is a program-wide process. The voting-process incorporated values and leadership qualities of players both on and off the field. A final recommendation was then put forward to the Club’s Board for approval.
Collingwood’s 2023 AFLW Leadership Group
Captain - Brianna Davey
Vice Captains - Ruby Schleicher and Brittany Bonnici
Leaders - Jordyn Allen, Mikala Cann and Lauren Butler
