Diamond Creek Women’s secure delisted Geelong youngster Brooke Plummer

The flow of top-flight talent into the Northern league extends to the women’s competition with delisted Geelong young gun Brooke Plummer returning to her junior club.

Brooke Plummer in action for Geelong VFLW.

The flow of ex-AFL talent into the Northern league has extended to the women’s competition.

Delisted Geelong AFLW defender Brooke Plummer will return to her junior club in 2025, Diamond Creek Women’s.

Plummer is VFLW-listed at Essendon as she looks for a second chance at the top-flight but the club hopes she will be available for a handful of games.

It’s a significant coup for last year’s Division 1 grand finalist as the Creekers look to go one better this season.

The 20-year-old played eight AFLW games for the Cats after being drafted with pick No.42 in 2022 having impressed at Northern Knights, despite shoulder and knee injuries.

Brooke Plummer in action at Geelong training. Picture: Alan Barber

She played three games last year as well as 11 VFLW appearances.

Diamond Creek Women’s great Stacey Cross was rapt to have Plummer back in blue and red.

“Brooke played most of her junior footy with us and two seasons in the seniors before getting drafted,” Cross said.

“Diamond Creek is always home, you might leave for a bit but you always come home, so it will be good to have her back.

“I played with her in 2022, so I’ve had the pleasure of playing beside her and I know exactly how talented she is and how hard she works.

“I’d love her to pull on the boots (for Diamond Creek) but at the same time I just want her to soar and she deserves to be seen at the highest level.”

While Plummer is concentrate on her VFLW commitments, she will still be a valuable addition off the field.

“She’s come down to a couple of training sessions and done some bits and pieces with our junior girls,” Cross said.

Brooke Plummer in action for Geelong VFLW.

“She’s always happy to have a chat and help out wherever she can and her parents still come down to watch us, even when she wasn’t playing, she that shows the culture of the place.”

After missing finals in 2023, Diamond Creek Women’s bounced back strongly last season, finishing runner-up to St Mary’s.

Star midfielder Maykaylah Appleby was crowned league best-and-fairest for a second straight season, Linda Thorp won the league goalkicking award for a fourth consecutive season and were named in the Team of the Year alongside Holly Pink and Lauren Durante.

After coaching one season, Cross has stepped down as coach, with Ange Lamanna taking the reins.

Cross is excited by the talent coming through at War Memorial Park and has big hopes for the year.

“It’s our juniors coming through that have all the talent.

“We had seven girls try out for Northern Knights and we have our academy girls going through the pathway with the NFNL, we had seven go there too.

“We had Jade McLay named captain of Calder Cannons this year, so hopefully we can get a couple when they’re not playing there come back and represent the senior side.

DIV 2: MACPHERSON RETURNS TO DIAMOND CREEK

LEADER: GET YOUR NORTHERN FOOTY NEWS HERE

PREP: NORTHERN CLUBS LOCK IN PRACTICE MATCHES

“The girls are looking good … we had our first practice match on the weekend and it was good to see where we’re at.

“We’ve got a new coach this season and we’re changing the dynamics and gameplan we need to keep up with everyone else.

“The boys (Lamanna, Corey Bennett and Adrian Sargent), it’s a testament to them, they’ve gone from coaching men for a long time to coaching women and we’re a different kettle of fish. I think they’re really excited about it and they’re teaching everyone a lot.”

Women’s teams nominations ended last week with the NFNL currently working on the fixture, expected to be released in the next fortnight.