AFLW: Katie Brennan to become longest-serving captain, latest off-season news

Richmond AFLW star Katie Brennan is set to claim a historic mantle this season after being reappointed as captain of the Tigers for another year.

Richmond star Katie Brennan will become the AFLW’s longest-serving captain in 2024 after she was appointed to lead the Tigers for a sixth consecutive season on Tuesday.

It means Brennan, 31 will have held the club captaincy in each of the competition’s nine seasons after she was the inaugural skipper of the Western Bulldogs.

She will move past longtime Adelaide skipper Chelsea Randall, who stepped down from the Crows’ captaincy at the end of last season.

Tigers coach Ryan Ferguson said it was obvious why the 52-game forward had been given the nod to continue in the role.

Katie Brennan will become the longest-serving AFLW captain. Picture: Michael Klein

“This group trusts her and will always follow her,” Ferguson said.

“She embodies everything this group believes in, she lives and breathes our values.

“She creates genuine and meaningful relationships with all our players. She is consistent, elite, caring, and challenges herself and us.”

Brennan will be joined in the Tigers leadership group by co-vice captains Gabby Seymour and Tessa Lavey along with Sarah Hosking and reigning league best and fairest Monique Conti.

Gold Coast has confirmed Tara Bohanna would continue as captain in 2024 as the Suns elevated star midfielder Charlie Rowbottom and Georgia Clayden into their leadership group.

PIES’ AFLW STAR INKS LONG-TERM EXTENSION

Inaugural Collingwood star Brit Bonnici has signed on for another three years with the black and white.

Drafted to the Magpies at pick No. 27 in the 2016 draft, Bonnici quickly made her name well known earning a Rising Star nomination in her first year.

The 27-year-old stepped into the leadership group in 2018 and has continued to be a standout figure at the club who was further named vice-captain in 2020 and has had a firm grip on it ever since.

Brittany Bonnici has inked a new deal with Collingwood. Picture: AAP Image/Natasha Morello

Bonnici took out the club’s Best and Fairest award in 2023 in her return year from an ACL injury and finished 11th in the AFLW Best and Fairest count. She also celebrated her 50th league game being the eighth player to do it for Collingwood.

The 2021 All Australian was acknowledged for four best-on-ground performances against Fremantle, St Kilda, Brisbane and Carlton in the AFLW’s eighth season.

Brittany Bonnici has been immense throughout pre-season camp 🙌

Leading the way and pushing her teammates as she prepares for her ninth season in the league. pic.twitter.com/zMnFNwvyVO

— Collingwood AFLW (@CollingwoodAFLW) June 29, 2024

“I feel very fortunate to be signing on for another four seasons with Collingwood,” Bonnici said.

“The past nine seasons have been a great journey so far, and I’m looking forward to creating more memories and developing my game further.

“There is a lot to be excited about with the future of this footy program, with new leadership under Sam Wright, and I am stoked to be a part of it.”

Collingwood will open the season against Sydney at North Sydney Oval on Friday, August 30.