Collingwood has today completed a trade with the Fremantle Dockers which sees Ash Brazill depart the Pies, while forward Mikayla Hyde will join the black and white.As part of an 11-club trade involving 24 picks and 12 players, Collingwood acquires Hyde and pick 29 from Fremantle, in exchange for Brazill and pick 31.Brazill requested the trade to return to Western Australia for family reasons. She departs Collingwood after 32 games across six AFLW seasons. Named Vice-Captain of the side in 2019, Brazill received her first AFLW All-Australian selection in the same year. The 33-year-old, who was also a foundation player in Collingwood’s Super Netball team, retired from professional Netball in August this year following a Commonwealth Gold Medal (2022) and a World Cup Championship (2023).Brazill thanked Collingwood.“I’d like to thank the Club for my time in the black and white,” Brazill said. “I came to Collingwood with a dream to play both Netball and AFLW and the Club allowed me to do so. Brooke and I originally came over to Melbourne for two years and we ended up staying for seven. The Club not only welcomed me but also my wife and my two kids with open arms which I’m truly grateful for.“It’s now time for us to head home to Western Australia and spend time with our family.“Thank you to my coaches, teammates and the staff who have all played an important role in my journey. To the members and fans, you’ve supported me throughout and I’ll forever be grateful.”Burger wished Brazill well for the future.“Whilst we are sad to see Ash depart our Club, we understand that her decision to head home to Western Australia is best for her family at this time,” Burger said. “Ash has played an instrumental role within our Club not only as an athlete but also as a leader across two high-performance programs. What she’s been able to achieve across two sports at our Club has been impressive and she should be extremely proud of what she has been able to achieve.“We thank her for her contribution to our Club and wish her and her family; Brooke, Louis and Frankie all the best for this next chapter.”
Hyde, who was first picked up by Fremantle in 2021, made her AFLW debut in the opening round of the 2021 season.Across her four AFLW campaigns, the 21-year-old made 29 appearances in the purple and white booting eight goals.The 165cm forward averaged a career-high 12 disposals this season.Collingwood’s Head of Women’s Football Jess Burger welcomed Hyde to the Club.“We’re pleased to welcome Mikayla into our program.”“She is a strong football talent with impressive football IQ, great ball use and forward pressure.“This is an extra special opportunity for Mikayla who is a Collingwood supporter. We look forward to playing a role in her development and can't wait to see her put on the black and white stripes. “As today mark's the end of the trade period, we now look ahead to next Monday's draft. Our strategy leading into the draft has been to secure the best possible picks to acquire the best young talent available. Having secured picks 8, 9 and 29, we have the opportunity to do so."
