Collingwood’s 2021 AFLW campaign took further shape today with former North Melbourne player Abbey Green signing with the club.
Green played her AFLW debut season in 2020 with the Kangaroos, who will receive in exchange Collingwood’s pick 40 in the AFLW national draft in October.
The 23-year-old was drafted in 2019 at pick 79 from the Launceston Football Club. Green made an impression in her debut VFLW season and was named in the Tasmanian State League Women’s team of the year.
Green played two games for the Kangaroos in 2020 and kicked two goals. She joins the Pies as a ruck-forward for 2021.
Green expressed her gratitude to North Melbourne for their investment in her debut season.
“I sincerely want to thank the North Melbourne football club for giving me the opportunity to make my AFLW dream come true. The friendships I formed and support I received from the club will forever be cherished,” Green said.
“I am excited to embark on a new journey at Collingwood. I can’t wait to get started and hope I’m able to add something special to the team.”
Collingwood’s GM of Women’s Sport, Jane Woodlands-Thompson, said Green slots perfectly into Collingwood’s structure.
“Green’s height and athleticism are desirable traits for Collingwood’s second-ruck option and we look forward to having her on board,” Woodlands-Thompson said.
“We thank North Melbourne for their cooperation in coming to a fair deal for both clubs.”
Green joins Ash Brazill, Ruby Schleicher, Maddie Shevlin, Jordyn Allen and Chloe Molloy as contracted players with Collingwood for the 2021 season.
In other news, Collingwood has today informed Georgia Gourlay that she will not be offered another contract with the club, whilst 2019 draftee Machaelia Roberts has announced her retirement from the game.
Gourlay played five games with the Pies across a two year career. The defender was ruled out for the 2020 season after rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee, her third knee injury.
Roberts was selected by Collingwood at pick 94 in the 2019 AFLW draft. In doing so, Roberts made history as the first female athlete from the Groote Eylandt to be drafted to an AFLW team.
The 26-year-old’s campaign was cut short after sustaining a stress reaction to her right fibula in early March. Roberts made the decision to return to the Northern Territory and her three children for her rehabilitation.
Woodlands-Thompson thanked Gourlay and Roberts for their contribution to the club.
“The club thanks Georgia for her resilience and optimistic attitude in what would have been a challenging season. It has been a great display of commitment for Mickey to leave Darwin and her three young children and we thank her for being a part of Collingwood’s 2020 campaign,” Woodlands-Thompson said.
“We wish each of these women all the very best with their future endeavours.”
