Collingwood AFLW captain Steph Chiocci expects Sharni Layton to be a threat around the ground

She made her name as a defender on the netball court, but Magpies AFLW captain Steph Chiocci expects recruit Sharni Layton to show her versatility on the football field.

Mason Cox (left) and Sharni Layton during Collingwood’s training session. Pic: AAP

Collingwood AFLW captain Stephanie Chiocci says code-hopping star Sharni Layton looms as a threat across the ground for the Magpies next season.

As the AFLW side enjoyed a training run alongside Collingwood’s AFL team, Chiocci said the former netball defender had the capacity to play anywhere on the ground.

The 188cm Layton’s code switch shapes as one of the intriguing storylines of next year’s competition after she called time on her netball career this year.

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Chiocci said a “fit and firing” Layton had already made an impact on the training track.

“She could play anywhere, Sharns, you will hear her, too. She is quite boisterous,’’ she said.

“She is really versatile. If she is not playing in the ruck, she can play down back and pinch hit up forward as well, so it will be really interesting to see where we set her up.

“Sharni just brings that extra leadership that we needed as well.’’

Sharni Layton is newer to footy than Mason Cox. Pic: AAP

Chiocci said it was “invaluable” for the AFLW team to get the chance to train alongside and learn from the AFL players.

“Just to rub shoulders with the best of the best, obviously they were runners up last year and they’ve got an elite standard,’’ Chiocci said.

“Just running around with them just to see how they go about it, just the little things that they do well, the fundamentals.

“It really is no different to what we do, obviously just a different standard ... it’s just great to be able to do that with them.”

After finishing sixth last season, Chiocci said she had a “really good feeling” about the Magpies’ list for 2019.

It’s a whole new ball game for Sharni Layton. Pic: Michael Klein

Originally published as Collingwood AFLW captain Steph Chiocci expects Sharni Layton to be a threat around the ground