Cancer survivor Hayley Richmond wins flag with Rockhampton Panthers
Hayley Richmond’s life changed 18 months ago when she was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma but she conquered the disease and has now finished her playing career in the best way possible. Read her amazing story.
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As the hooter heralded the Rockhampton Panthers’ premiership victory, it also sounded out a “fairytale finish” for the team’s inspirational co-captain Hayley Richmond.
As her teammates celebrated their win over two-time defending champions Yeppoon in the AFL Capricornia senior women’s grand final, the tenacious midfielder reflected on the amazing personal achievement that had just played out at Stenlake Park.
Richmond called time on her five-year playing career with the Panthers, which was punctuated by a shock cancer battle last year.
She was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in April, undergoing a four-month course of chemotherapy.
Once in remission, she realised her dream of getting back to the sports she loved - Aussie rules and hockey.
She played the 2023 Aussie rules final in early September, being named Best on Ground, and a week later, turned out for Wanderers in the Rockhampton Hockey A-grade women’s decider.
While those results didn’t fall in her favour, they did on Saturday as the Panthers produced a blistering performance in hot conditions to score an 18-point win over the Swans.
Richmond was overcome with a whirlwind of emotion as she hoisted the premiership cup high.
Jubilation reigned as she acknowledged her teammates and coach Jesse Johnston before she issued a heartfelt tribute to the club that has come to mean so much to her.
“People underestimate the power of sporting communities but it has been so special and I’m so grateful to have been a part of it,” she said.
“The support and the love and the community that we have at Panthers… it’s not just a footy club - it honestly changed my life.
“I’ve made lifelong friends. It’s family here.”
The Panthers and Wanderers club members threw their collective arms around Hayley and husband Luke last year, providing not only emotional and moral support but raising more than $20,000 for them.
There were tears as Richmond embraced teammates and good friends Laura Jonassen and Amy Mill, who were at the forefront of the Panthers’ fundraising efforts.
See the grand final day photos here
Richmond went on to announce her retirement from Aussie rules, bowing out a premiership winner.
“I’m 34 and I’ve got enough strapping tape on me to empty our first aid kit,” she joked.
“I’m not a footy player, I joined during Covid when we couldn’t get a hockey team together.
“I have no footy skills to speak of - all I do is run around a lot and throw my whole weight at people and I’m too old to keep playing like that.”
That passion and willingness were evident in Richmond’s game on Saturday.
The Panthers kicked the opening goal of the game in the first quarter and, despite the Swans’ best efforts, were never headed as they ran out 6.1-37 to 3.1-19 winners.
Maddison Law and Kelsey Williams both landed a double, while Jessie McMahan and Elise Bottcher got one major each.
Mill produced her trademark effort to be awarded her first Best on Ground in a decider.
The deserved individual accolade, alongside the memorable victory brought her to tears.
“Bloody unbelievable, it’s amazing,” the champion midfielder said.
“I’m not usually a crier so it just shows how much it means to me, winning with the girls.”
Mill said intensity on the ball and relentless pressure were the cornerstones of the win.
“It was a real team effort.
“It was a very tough game mentally so we just had to stick to what we knew and what we’ve done all year.
“We got our redemption.”
Mill then paid a special tribute to Richmond.
“Hayley’s an inspiration, from kicking cancer’s butt last year to giving her all in every game this year and going out with a bang.”
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