Collingwood has enjoyed a red-letter day with AFLW champion Brianna Davey joining the club until 2020 and cross-code stars Ash Brazill and Sarah Rowe re-signing with the Magpies.
Davey won two best and fairest awards in three seasons with Carlton, who will receive in exchange Collingwood’s first four picks in the AFLW national draft in October. The trade also saw Collingwood receive Carlton’s fourth and fifth round selection.
The 24-year-old, who was Carlton’s inaugural captain, played 16 games over three seasons with the Blues and a full 2019 season which included standout performances in the finals. Davey gathered 22 disposals and kicked one goal in the AFLW Grand Final against Adelaide.
Davey expressed her gratitude to Carlton for its investment in her during the formative years of her career.
“I can’t thank Carlton enough for giving me my first opportunity in AFLW colours. The club has such a genuine approach to women’s football and I wouldn’t be playing at the standard I am today without their support,” Davey said.
“Looking forward, I’m thrilled to be pulling on the black and white and really keen to start to get to know the girls and add to what is an exciting future at the Holden Centre.”
Collingwood’s GM of Women’s Sport, Jane-Woodlands-Thompson, said Davey’s age and experience will complement a young, largely draft built playing group.
“Brianna’s leadership and experience will bolster the youth in our current playing group and we are looking forward to having her on board,” Woodlands-Thompson said.
“We thank Carlton for their cooperation in coming to a fair deal for both clubs.”
The Davey coup follows news of Brazill and Rowe recommitting for another season.
The Collingwood Magpies netballer and Irish Gaelic footballer brings to 24 the number of players signed for the 2020 season, including all 10 placegetters in this season’s best and fairest count.
Across the season Brazill consistently broke up opposition attacks and surged out of Collingwood’s back half. The 29-year-old averaged 18 disposals with a 65 per cent disposal efficiency in her second year with the AFLW Pies.
Brazill is the first current international level netballer to be awarded All-Australian AFLW honours and will resume her netball career in round one this weekend in the Suncorp Super Netball competition.
Rowe capped off her stellar debut year in the black and white taking home the Best First Year Player Award. The rookie played a full 2019 season taking 21 marks and kicking two goals.
In other news, Collingwood has today informed Melissa Kuys, Georgie Parker, Holly Whitford, Nicole Hildebrand and Jordan Membrey that they will not be offered another contract with the club.
Foundation player Kuys was taken in the 2016 NAB ALFW Draft and played a total of 15 games for the Pies over three seasons. Inaugural players Hildebrand and Membrey also tallied up three seasons.
Former Hockeyroo Parker arrived at the Holden Centre a year later as a pre-rookie draft pick and played three games over two seasons. Latrobe Valley’s Whitford, pick No. 4 in the 2017 NAB AFLW Rookie Draft, played a total of four games.
Collingwood’s GM of Women’s Sport Jane Woodlands-Thompson thanked Kuys, Hildebrand, Membrey, Parker and Whitford for their contribution to the club.
“The club thanks Mel, Nicole and Jordan for their three years of service as inaugural players at Collingwood. Parker and Whitford’s investment in our side is also appreciated and we wish each girl all the very best with their future endeavours,” Woodlands-Thompson said.
