AFLW power couple could join forces as Saint Kate Shierlaw eyes Roo move

Kate Shierlaw could be on the move from St Kilda as she eyes joining a club in premiership contention, writes DANIEL CHERNY.

St Kilda look likely to lose their 2022 best and fairest player Kate Shierlaw who is eyeing a move to North Melbourne. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

St Kilda’s AFLW best and fairest Kate Shierlaw is exploring a potential move away from Moorabbin to unite with her partner Emma Kearney at North Melbourne.

Shierlaw, who turns 34 in February, is coming off a career-best AFLW season, booting 13 goals for the Saints and claiming her maiden best and fairest.

But heading into what is likely to be the twilight of her playing days, the 186-centimetre key forward is interested in heading to a premiership contender rather than continue with the Saints, who remain very much a work in progress under Nick Dal Santo.

Industry sources have confirmed that Shierlaw is looking at joining the Kangaroos, who were losing preliminary finalists in the just-completed season seven and have been consistently in the top half of the ladder since entering the league in 2019.

Shierlaw joined St Kilda ahead of the 2020 AFLW season. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

A trade to Arden Street would also allow Shierlaw to play in the same team as Roos captain Kearney, her partner of more than five years. Kearney is perhaps the league’s most decorated player, having made the All-Australian team in all seven seasons to go with a league best and fairest and premiership with the Western Bulldogs in 2018.

Shierlaw played 10 matches for Carlton across 2017 and 2018 before joining the Saints ahead of their entrance into the league in 2020. She was a co-captain in the club’s first two seasons before Hannah Priest took the sole reins at the start of the year.

The Roos would need to trade for Shierlaw, a situation potentially complicated by the fact that the upcoming draft is set to only feature mature-age players.

Losing Shierlaw would be another blow to the Saints, who relinquished gun midfielder Tilly Lucas-Rodd to expansion club Hawthorn earlier this year.

North is on the lookout for forward stocks after announcing on Tuesday that the club had opted not to offer Sophie Abbatangelo a new contract. Abbatangelo, 32, kicked 29 goals from her 42 matches with the Kangaroos. Untried ruck Grace Master has also been let go.

“We thank Sophie and Grace for their contributions to our club, these decisions are never easy or taken lightly,” North’s head of AFLW Nathan Hrovat said.

Shierlaw would be a huge get for the Kangaroos, who opted not to renew Sophie Abbatangelo’s contract for 2023. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images

“A member of our inaugural AFLW team, Sophie and her family have played a big part of the club’s AFLW journey and we thank them for their contribution.

“While with us for only a short time, Grace demonstrated a great attitude and commitment to her football. We wish Grace all the best for her future.”

Shierlaw’s situation could tie into that of AFLW season seven’s leading goalkicker Jesse Wardlaw, the Brisbane Lions tall forward who is entertaining interest from rival clubs.

The AFL is yet to reveal dates for its sign and trade period. Further trade and draft concessions for lowly clubs could be on the cards amid concerns about an uneven AFLW playing field, but the landscape remains unclear without a collective bargaining agreement for next season, due to begin in August.

Originally published as AFLW power couple could join forces as Saint Kate Shierlaw eyes Roo move