AFLW news: Elise O’Dea announces her retirement after 56 games for Carlton and Melbourne

A dual All-Australian who was vice-captain under Daisy Pearce at the Demons has called time on her career, announcing the news to her teammates.

Carlton star and dual All-Australian Elise O’Dea announced her retirement to teammates on Tuesday night after 56 AFLW games.

The 31-year-old was the first player drafted by Melbourne in 2016, where she was named vice-captain under Daisy Pearce.

O’Dea was traded to the Blues at the end of the 2020 season, where she was named vice-captain after her first season.

The Canberran enjoyed a decorated career before AFLW, winning five premierships with Darebin Falcons.

Signing off in the most June way possible. 👋 pic.twitter.com/G8qn7oe7vw

— Carlton Women's (@carltonfc_w) March 21, 2023

“This game has given me so much on the field but off the field as well, through the friendships I’ve made and countless memories,” O’Dea said.

“I feel so grateful to have played in the first seven seasons of this competition, it has been a real privilege to be a part of and something I will always cherish.

“Thank you so much to Melbourne and Carlton for the opportunities they gave me to live out my dream, and to all the fans for their support. AFLW is only just getting started and I cannot wait to see it continue to thrive long into the future.”

Elise O'Dea has retired. Picture: Michael Klein

She played 56 games for Carlton and Melbourne. Picture: Darrian Traynor/AFL Media

Covid-vax hesitant Crow returns to AFLW after two-year hiatus

— Simeon Thomas-Wilson

Two-time premiership player Deni Varnhagen will return to play for Adelaide in the eighth season of the AFLW.

Varnhagen has sat out the last two AFLW seasons and will join her teammates for training in the coming weeks.

She first was put onto the Crows inactive list after becoming the first men’s or women’s AFL player to resist getting the Covid-19 vaccine - which was mandatory for a time as per the league’s policy.

The 30-year-old then was placed on the inactive list for a second season as she and her partner welcomed their first child.

Deni Varnhagen at the South Australia Supreme Court in Adelaide. She was against the vaccine mandate for healthcare workers, which was her second job away from football.

Deni Varnhagen and Jarrad Duthie with their baby girl called Hali Julia. Picture: Instagram.

Crows Women’s Head of Football Phil Harper said the squad would benefit from Varnhagen’s experience and her return was one of a few list management changes.

“Deni is a proven performer who knows what it takes to achieve success at the elite level and importantly, she has maintained her fitness and conditioning while away from the Club,” Harper said.

“Having missed the past two seasons, albeit they were in the same calendar year, she will immediately strengthen our squad as we look to once again challenge strongly in the finals.”

Hannah Button has been moved onto the inactive list after she tore her anterior cruciate ligament during a training session last week.

She will undergo surgery in the near future.

For the second straight season Jasmyn Hewett’s work commitments as an aviation rescue firefighter in Darwin will prevent her from playing.