AFL Women’s: Ash Woodland says SA club rivalry just as big as AFL after joining Port Adelaide
Port Adelaide’s newest recruit says she knows Crows fans will be “disappointed” after she became the latest player to cross the divide in the AFLW’s expansion wars.
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The latest AFLW player to move from fierce rivals Adelaide and Port Adelaide believes supporters care just as much about the women’s competition players crossing the divide as they do with the men’s competition.
All-Australian forward and former AFLW leading goalkicker Ash Woodland moved from the Crows to the Power on Wednesday under the league’s new priority signing period (PSP).
Woodland was also a member of the Crows’ 2022 premiership side after starting her career at Melbourne.
The 24-year-old is the fourth player to move from the Crows to the Power, joining Erin Phillips, Ange Foley and Justine Mules in swapping West Lakes for Alberton.
In the men’s competition, six players have crossed the divide between the two clubs.
Woodland, a Port Adelaide supporter as a child, said she believed moving between the two clubs was just as big as a deal in the AFLW as the AFL.
“I believe it is, the supporters believe it is,” she said.
“I think naturally people will be disappointed, especially when you fall in love with a player and they leave for the big rivals.
“So I think naturally people will be disappointed and it will be hard for them but I have seen some of the Port Adelaide supporters and they are very excited.”
The PSP allows the Power and other clubs who joined the league last season to poach star players from rival teams.
On Wednesday evening after Woodland’s move was confirmed Crows chief executive Tim Silvers described them as “very, very generous recruiting and draft concessions”.
Power AFLW senior coach Lauren Arnell said it would speed up the process of equalisation.
“I think perspective is really important in this,” she said.
“We had some significant constraints in building our list last year and I think now is a true expansion time and having a longer lead into the season than we did last season will make it a more equal competition.”
HAWKS PULL OFF LIONS HEIST WITH DOUBLE SIGNING
Hawthorn has pulled off an almighty AFL Women’s signing coup, wrenching premiership Lions pair Emily Bates and Greta Bodey out of Brisbane.
Hawks coach Bec Goddard travelled to Brisbane in recent days in a bid to finalise the deals with the star duo which were confirmed late on Wednesday.
Bates, the season six league best and fairest winner, was pursued heavily by the expansion club ahead of season seven with the Hawks landing their big fish just six months later.
Under priority signing period allowances afforded to expansion clubs, Hawthorn, Essendon, Port Adelaide and Sydney are permitted to sign players without a need to trade.
Under the rules, Brisbane can lose up to four players, with versatile Lion Cathy Svarc also in the Hawks’ sights.
Bates, 27, is one of the game’s premier ball winners and is a three-time All-Australian and triple best and fairest winner, while Bodey — a former soccer player — was picked in the most recent All-Australian team.
Both played in the Lions’ 2021 flag victory.
Hawthorn players including skipper Tilly Lucas-Rodd and forward Sarah Perkins voiced their excitement at the news on social media.
“Emily was our first ever selection at the draft and since arriving has become one of the most decorated players in the competition’s history,” Lions women’s general manager Bree Brock said.
“Greta came to us from soccer, having only played a handful of Aussie rules games and has developed into a star of the competition.”
“At this time, we understand that Emily and Greta will be seeking fresh starts at another AFLW club.”
“Both are highly decorated players and we look forward to working with the AFL to seek adequate compensation.”
The moves of Bates and Bodey capped an eventful opening day to the PSP window, with season six leading goalkicker Ash Woodland walking from Adelaide to cross-town rivals Port Adelaide, and star utility Chloe Molloy joining Sydney, all shifts first forecast by News Corp.
Woodland was a member of the Crows’ 2022 premiership side, having started her career at Melbourne.
“While we are disappointed to lose Ash, we are really happy that we were able to help her fall back in love with football over the past three seasons,” Crows AFLW chief Phil Harper said.
“Ash came from SANFLW to playing in every game for the Crows, became an All-Australian and premiership player in 2022 and won our club’s leading goal kicker award in both Season Six and Seven which is a real testament to the time and effort she put into her craft.
“We wish Ash and her family all the best and she will always be part of the Crows family.”
Port is also poised to land All-Australian defender Janelle Cuthbertson, who has chosen to leave Fremantle.
The Lions are meanwhile set to lose Jesse Wardlaw to St Kilda via the sign and trade period, a move first flagged by News Corp in December.
Reigning premiers Melbourne have thus far staved off opposition advances. Maddi Gay had interest from the Hawks but has chosen to remain a Demon.
Daisy the Cat: Pearce becomes Scott’s right-hand woman
Daisy Pearce has signed a four-year deal at Geelong with the former AFL Women’s star to be a key player in the Cats’ coaching set up.
The reigning AFL Women’s premiership skipper — who called time on her playing career in January — began her first foray into AFL men’s coaching this week after being appointed as part of the league’s women’s coach acceleration program.
Pearce‘s new coaching role will see her part of game planning, match committee and in the box on match days.
“I’m really grateful to Geelong for the opportunity and for the support I received from both
Melbourne and Geelong throughout the process last year while I was still playing,” Pearce said.
“I’m excited to begin my coaching journey at GMHBA Stadium and to learn from Chris Scott and the Geelong coaching team, who I respect and admire.”
Pearce was on hand for Geelong’s match simulation against Hawthorn on Friday night but officially began in her new role this week.
“Daisy Pearce is a significant name in football. She has been an incredible player, and a leader of the women’s game since its inception,” Cats football boss Simon Lloyd said.
“Beyond that, Daisy has incredible knowledge of the game itself and we think she has enormous potential to coach football at the highest level.”
“It’s a credit to the AFL for setting up the Women’s Coach Acceleration Program to assist with providing more opportunities for women in our game, and we can’t wait to see all that Daisy will achieve.”
AFLW TRADE BUZZ
Lauren Wood, Daniel Cherny
Richmond is eyeing St Kilda spearhead Caitlin Greiser as AFL Women’s player movement prepares to go up a notch.
All-Australian Greiser, 24, has played 24 games at the Saints and booted 23 goals and is understood to have informed St Kilda of her intention to explore her options at rival clubs.
The Tigers lurk as one potential home for Greiser — who was the league leading goalkicker in 2020 — given an obvious key forward opening.
Punt Road pair Maddy Brancatisano and Kodi Jacques are also the subject of speculation, with Brancatisano believed to be in the sights of Gold Coast.
It comes as the Saints remain in the box seat to secure league leading goalkicker Jesse Wardlaw, whose future at Brisbane is uncertain, with Greiser move one potential puzzle piece that could pave the way for the Lion
The Saints are set to be major players in the upcoming player movement period, with Greiser a potential key that could help unlock moves for Wardlaw and Collingwood pair Steph Chiocci and Jaimee Lambert.
The Saints are set to lose veteran tall Kate Shierlaw to North Melbourne, while Tarni White has been floated as a potential trade option to the Magpies.
The Suns could also lose Ellie Hampson to the Lions, while Serene Watson has been linked to the Saints.
MARQUEE MOLLOY TO BE UNVEILED
The priority signing period opens on Wednesday, with Chloe Molloy to be announced as Sydney’s marquee addition – from her hospital bed.
The star former Magpie this week underwent a lumbar microdiscectomy after suffering debilitating back pain for months.
Molloy, 24, had the surgery – which involved her L4/L5 vertebrae – on Monday and is up and walking and hopeful that the operation will be a turning point in both life and football.
Molloy revealed last year that she had “struggled to walk” amid the issue.
“Surgery was a huge success,” she told News Corp Australia on Tuesday.
“(I got) instant relief in my back and hip.
“Throughout the season, I was putting my body through hell. Injections, medication and was only ever operating around 70 per cent, so this surgery is going to be life-changing for me.
“A lot of new beginnings are happening in my life and I’ve felt so much support.”
The forward – who won the 2018 AFL Women’s rising star award – will be confirmed as a Swan when the PSP officially opens on Wednesday.
Molloy has signed a four-year deal, with an agreement in place for a fifth year, with Sydney afforded a number of concessions including the ability to sign players on longer-term contracts that established rival clubs.
Length of contract – which was previously capped at two years – has been considered a significant hurdle in securing players to move states or commit to life in Sydney.
Hawthorn, Essendon and Port Adelaide have also been afforded the concessions that allow AFLW season seven expansion clubs to sign PSP players without having to trade.
The Bombers can sign two players and Sydney, Port Adelaide – which also has two additional list spots – and Hawthorn three players each.
All four clubs have also been afforded an additional relocation payment to offer to players.
HAWKS TRADE RAID ON LIONS
Hawthorn, armed with key list spots, is attempting to pull off an interstate raid on grand finalist Brisbane.
Lions trio Emily Bates, Greta Bodey and Cathy Svarc are firmly in the Hawks’ sights with the expansion club having met with all three players as they bid to add a marquee player to their list in the upcoming priority signing period.
The potential mega-deal could mark a significant turning point for the Hawks who had been without a Tier 1 player in their opening season in the competition.
Bates who – claimed the season six league best and fairest award – was hotly pursued by the Hawks last year before ultimately staying at Brisbane, with all three Lions premiership players.
CUTHBERTSON TO JOIN PORT
All-Australian defender Janelle Cuthbertson will join Port Adelaide as part of the AFLW’s priority signing period.
The former tennis player played 24 games over four seasons at Fremantle but will continue her career in teal after the Power were handed special recruiting concessions.
Cuthbertson is the only player the Dockers can lose in the signing period given they finished in the bottom nine.
Head of AFLW Bob Murphy thanked Cuthbertson for her contributions to the Club.
“Janelle has been a great servant of the Fremantle Football Club,” Murphy said.
“There’s no doubt she’s had a hard time with injuries in recent seasons and we understand her desire for a fresh start.
“While we’re sad to see her go, we wish Janelle well on and off the field.”
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