Collingwood have today secured their leading 2021 talent with the club’s Best and Fairest winner Brianna Davey signing a two-year deal alongside a further five players.
Davey’s signature was secured along with Ruby Schleicher, Chloe Molloy, Lauren Butler and Tarni Brown, who have all signed two-year contracts. Key defender Stacey Livingstone will remain at the club for another season.
In a stellar 2021 campaign, Davey averaged the most disposals (23.8) for any player in the league and top 10 for metres gained, contested possessions, clearances, marks, tackles, score involvements and inside 50s.
The 26-year-old shared in the AFLW’s highest individual honour when crowned the joint winner of the AFLW’s Best and Fairest medal and named All Australian captain at the W Awards in April.
Schleicher was impactful in all 11 Collingwood matches and named in the 2021 All-Australian team. In a breakout season, the 23-year-old was awarded runner-up in Collingwood’s Best and Fairest award.
Across the home and away and finals series, fellow All-Australian Molloy kicked the most goals (16) whilst Livingstone tallied the highest rebound 50s (52) for the league.
Brown, Collingwood’s first father-daughter selection, was nominated for the AFLW Rising-Star Award following her performance in Collingwood’s round six victory over the Western Bulldogs.
Butler was a key defender for the Pies in 2021, averaging 10 disposals at 80 per cent efficiency. The 20-year-old’s season was cut short after tearing her right hamstring in Collingwood’s round seven match against Brisbane.
With the exception of Sharni Norder (retired), Collingwood have retained their top 10 placegetters in the club’s 2021 AFLW Best and Fairest, with Brittany Bonnici, Jaimee Lambert, and Aishling Sheridan already retained for the 2021/22 campaign.
Collingwood’s GM of Women’s Sport Jane Woodlands-Thompson said today’s commitment is a true reflection of the program’s strength.
“Today’s news sees a strong commitment from the program’s key talent as we’ve retained all but one of our top 10 performers,” Woodlands-Thompson said.
“Their display of loyalty and investment into the program is commended. Having already retained several members last year’s list is an opportunity to continue to build on the program’s success.
“In a season best for Collingwood, we endeavour to take the program another step further this year.”
With Aliesha Newman, Sophie Casey, Erica Fowler, Imogen Purcell and Jordan Membrey already retained for next season, and the additions of Sabrina Frederick and Alison Downie, Collingwood’s 2021/22 list is quickly taking shape.
