Steph Chiocci will captain the Collingwood AFLW team for a fourth season in 2020.
The club’s foundation skipper will lead an otherwise new look leadership group, with Brianna Davey and Ash Brazill supporting Chiocci as vice-captains for the upcoming campaign.
Chiocci has featured in all but two of the 21 matches Collingwood’s AFLW team has played across the first three seasons of the competition. She is a student of the game, with aspirations to coach in the future, and is highly regarded for her leadership on and off the field.
Davey has a wealth of experience and stewardship to offer. The 24 year-old new recruit captained Carlton’s AFLW team for two seasons and led the Blues to the grand final last season.
Brazill’s team-first mentality and understanding of the dynamics required for elite team success have made her a go-to resource for many of the athletes under the Collingwood roof.
In her first full AFLW season Brazill won 2019 All-Australian honours. Months later, as a netballer, the 29 year-old was recalled into the Australian Diamonds squad. She is currently on tour in New Zealand with the Collingwood Magpies SSN squad.
The 29-year-old was Collingwood’s 2019 best and fairest runner-up and was awarded the Player’s Player award for her poise, empathy and leadership qualities.
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Collingwood’s GM of Women’s Sport, Jane Woodlands-Thompson, believes the trio complement each other well.
“As our foundation captain Steph has proven to be an exceptional ambassador for Collingwood and in turn is highly regarded by the players and staff,” Woodlands-Thompson said.
“Bri has displayed elite leadership qualities in the short time she has been with us. She has outstanding on-field knowledge and was a prime mover in our VFLW success.
“Our cross-coder Ash has the unique ability to bring people together and at the same time lead by example. She is popular and well respected by the entire club.
“We are trying the develop leadership across the AFLW spectrum and I think any success we have in 2020 will require discipline and leadership from everyone in the program. It is comforting to have three outstanding women showing the way, though.”
