Collingwood has today firmed their final numbers for the 2021 season as the AFLW trade and sign period draws to a close.
Foundation player Brittany Bonnici, All-Australian Sharni Layton, as well as the club’s two Irish recruits Sarah Rowe and Aishling Sheridan have committed for another year.
Averaging 20 disposals per game, this year Bonnici added the award for best finals player to her second place finish in Collingwood’s best and fairest count.
Bonnici has not missed a game since her debut since 2017, in the inaugural AFLW match against Carlton. She has played 28 games across her four year career at the Holden Centre.
Layton was honoured with All-Australian selection for her breakout year in the ruck, as well as Collingwood’s Player’s Player award, which honours not only distinguished performance but empathy and care for team-mates and a commitment to team.
In her second AFLW campaign, Layton held the highest amount of hitouts for the side averaging 17 per game.
Also in her second season, Rowe kicked five goals for Collingwood.
The cross-code athlete is currently taking part in the 2020 Ladies’ Gaelic football league with Mayo Gaelic Football Association.
Fellow Gaelic footballer Sheridan signed with the Pies in June as a category B rookie.
The 24-year-old, with Alana Porter, shared the best first year player award in Collingwood’s 2020 best and fairest.
All four athletes played every match of the 2020 AFLW season.
On the final day of the sign and trade period, the Pies retained nine of the top 10 placegetters in this season’s best and fairest count.
The club has secured 25 members of its 2021 squad.
Collingwood has access to five draft picks in the 2020 AFLW national draft in October, with picks 19, 25, 26, 31 and 33.
In other news, 2019 draftee Kaila Bentvelzen has made the decision to step away from the game to focus on her health.
Bentvelzen was selected by Collingwood at pick 67 from the Casey Demons VFLW side in the 2019 AFLW draft.
Collingwood’s GM of Women’s Sport, Jane Woodlands-Thompson, expressed her delight with the final signings, whilst thanking Bentvelzen for her time at the Pies.
“On the last day of the trade and sign period we are delighted to retain a further four quality individuals for our 2021 program.
“As a program we have come a long way since our inception. To have a solid list of 24 athletes locked in for next year is a tribute to what we are creating here at the Holden Centre.
“The club thanks Kaila for her commitment to the Pies for the 2020 season.
“We wish her all the best for her recovery and hope to one day see her return to the game in the future.”
Collingwood’s AFLW program will return to the Holden Centre for pre-season training in November.
Collingwood’s AFLW Magpies locked in for 2021:
Steph Chiocci
Mikala Cann
Alana Porter
Ebony O’Dea
Lauren Butler
Sophie Alexander
Stacey Livingstone
Jordan Membrey
Jaimee Lambert
Sophie Casey
Brianna Davey
Kristy Stratton
Erica Fowler
Sharni Layton
Brittany Bonnici
Sarah Rowe
Aishling Sheridan
Ash Brazill
Ruby Schleicher
Chloe Molloy
Maddie Shevlin
Jordyn Allen
Aliesha Newman
Imogen Purcell
Abbey Green
