Steph Chiocci and Brianna Davey will co-captain Collingwood’s AFLW side in 2021.

Chiocci, the club’s foundation skipper, will take the reigns for a fifth term, whilst it will be Davey’s first time as captain in the black and white. Sharni Layton will support the pair as vice-captain for the upcoming campaign.

Across four seasons of the AFLW competition, Chiocci has featured in all but two of Collingwood’s 26 matches. Her re-appointment could see Chiocci become the competition’s longest standing captain. Inaugural captains at three other clubs - Adelaide, Fremantle, and the Western Bulldogs - are yet to name their 2021 leaders.

Following a season as vice-captain, Davey is promoted to lead alongside Chiocci. In her first year at the Pies, the 25-year-old came third in Collingwood’s best and fairest count.

Davey is no stranger to leadership. She formerly captained Carlton’s AFLW side for two seasons.

As a former Australian Netball Diamond’s captain, Layton brings leadership experience and an understanding of the dynamics required for elite team success. This year Layton was honoured with All-Australian selection for her breakout year in the ruck, as well as Collingwood’s Players’ Player award.

Layton will fill the shoes of Ash Brazill who has stepped down from her role as vice-captain to focus on rehabilitating a knee injury whilst continuing to manage the load of playing within two elite sporting competitions. Brazill also plays with Collingwood’s Super Netball side.

Collingwood’s GM of Women’s Sport, Jane Woodlands-Thompson, said the combined skillset of the three leaders offers great experience and balance to the 2021 squad.

“As our foundation captain Steph has proven to be an exceptional ambassador for Collingwood and is highly regarded by the players and staff,” Woodlands-Thompson said.

“Bri is known as an elite on-field leader who brings a skillset to complement that of Steph’s.

“Whilst a standalone captain has been the preferred model by the panel in past seasons and served us well, the panel felt the timing as well as the ideal skillset balance between Steph and Bri made a co-captaincy model the right choice for us this season.

“Sharni’s prior experience as a leader of an elite sporting code made her the ideal candidate for the vice-captaincy position.”