Women’s league clubs announce marquee player signings
CLUBS have announced their marquee players for next year’s women’s league, with Daisy Pearce to play for Melbourne. THE MARQUEE SIGNINGS FOR EACH CLUB
DAISY Pearce is officially a Melbourne player after the Demons announced the midfielder as one of two marquee signings for next year’s women’s league.
Pearce has captained Melbourne during exhibition games over the last three years.
The 28-year-old is joined by defender Melissa Hickey as Demons, while Collingwood selected full forward Moana Hope and ruck Emma King.
CHECK OUT PROFILES OF THE MARQUEE SIGNINGS FOR EACH CLUB BELOW
Western Bulldogs have named Katie Brennan as one of its marquee signingsafter the 23-year-old forward impressed playing for the club during exhibition matches.
Each of the eight national league foundation clubs — Adelaide, Brisbane Lions, Carlton, Collingwood, Fremantle, GWS, Melbourne and Western Bulldogs — announced two marquee signings on Wednesday.
The historic first women AFL players to be announced in minutes @superfooty pic.twitter.com/qCFY3K2Tu0
â eliza sewell (@ElizaJSewell) July 27, 2016
The marquee signings will each earn about $25,000 for the eight week season, which will run in February and March.
Remaining places on 25-player club lists will be decided by an October draft.
THE MARQUEE SIGNINGS
The two players signed by the eight national league foundation clubs.
ADELAIDE
Kellie Gibson
Age: 20
Position: Forward
In 2016 made the move to SA club Morphettville Park
Originally from Swan Districts in WA
5 x WA youth girls representative
2 x WAWFL premiership player
Played Rugby 7s and went to the Youth Olympics in 2014 and won a gold medal
Selection #48 in 2013 Draft
Played with Western Bulldogs in 2013 and 2015
Played with Melbourne 2014
Day job: SANFL Community Programs Coordinator
‘Gibbo’, as she is known is an experienced head at a young age. A quick outside runner who is tough, physical and can read the play well, turning her opponent inside out.
Chelsea Randall
Age: 25
Position: Forward
Plays with Swan Districts in WAWFL
3 x All-Australian
2 x WAWFL Best and Fairest
Selection #3 in 2013 Draft
Played with Melbourne 2013, 2014 and 2015
Represented Western Australia 2015 and 2016
Day job: Swans Districts Regional Manager — East Pilbara
As a youngster Randall grew up playing footy with the boys in regional WA. Never one to shy away from the contest, Randall is known for her hard hitting and high marking versatility. An athletic player with exceptional skills, Randall has the assets to blow any game apart.
Welcome to Kellie Gibson and Chelsea Randall, the first players for our women's team ðð #weflyasone @AFLNT pic.twitter.com/EXOd39aar3
â Adelaide Crows (@Adelaide_FC) July 27, 2016
BRISBANE LIONS
Sabrina Frederick-Traub
Age: 20
Position: Full forward
Plays with South Fremantle in WAWFL
2 x youth girls All Australian
Played with Melbourne 2015
Played Western Australia 2015, 2016
2016 Australia Post AFL Multicultural Ambassador
Kicked three goals in the 2015 AFL Women’s Exhibition Match
Day job: Currently studying sports psychology at Murdoch University
UK born Frederick-Traub is a strong overhead mark, hard hitting, high leaping in the ruck or up forward. ‘Sabs’ as she is known among her teammates is a long and accurate kick with a healthy set shot record. Off the field Sabrina is an AFL Multicultural Ambassador. Throughout her schooling Sabrina was a dual sport athlete playing football and soccer, as well as a musician, playing the guitar and clarinet.
Tayla Harris
Age: 19
Position: Forward/Ruck
Plays with Zillmere in QWFL
5 x youth girls All-Australian
Selection #17 in 2014 Draft
Played with Melbourne 2014, 2015
Played with Brisbane Lions academy team 2016
Day job: Brisbane Lions Community Officer
Can take a big mark. Queensland born and bred, 19-year-old Harris is an athletic player, elite overhead and a penetrating kick. Her real trademark though is her attack at the aerial contest and defensive pressure at ground level.
It's official. We have managed to lock in 2 of the country's most exciting key position players for @brisbanelions pic.twitter.com/pvpM1rVk4o
â Craig Starcevich (@CraigStarcevich) July 27, 2016
CARLTON
Brianna Davey
Age: 21
Position: Defender/midfielder
Played with the Western Bulldogs 2015 & 2016
Playing with the St Kilda Sharks
Played for Melbourne Victory 2010–2015 in W League
Played for Melbourne City 2016 in W League
Former goalkeeper for the Matildas
Played Australian football until 13 years
Day job: Currently studying to be a teacher
Davey was introduced to the game early on, playing her junior footy with the boys before moving over to soccer. A former member of the Matildas squad, she is one of a handful of female footballers that have played another sport at the highest level. Her footy attributes include very sure hands and an ability to break away from packs. Can play key position or as a bullocking midfielder. She is a dangerous player that can blow a game wide open.
Darcy Vescio
Age: 23
Position: Full forward
Plays with Darebin Falcons
Selection #3 2014 Draft
Played for Western Bulldogs 2014 and 2015
Victorian state team 2013 & 2015
3 x premiership player with the Darebin Falcons
2016 Australia Post AFL Multicultural Ambassador
Comes from a Chinese and Italian background
Starting playing footy at age five
Day job: Graphic designer
Vescio is one of the best forwards in the game, using her pace and strong attack on the ball to regularly put herself in dangerous positions and often hitting the scoreboard. A popular member of the Bulldogs in the past three exhibition matches, she has clean hands and is a good kick for goal, making her a handful for opposition defenders.
COLLINGWOOD
Moana Hope
Age: 28
Position: Full forward
Plays with St Kilda Sharks
Selection #10 in 2014 Draft
Played for Western Bulldogs 2014 and 2015
Has won multiple League goal kicking awards
5 x Victorian State representative
200+ games in the VWFL
Starting playing footy at age 13 with the boys
Day job: Traffic operations manager
Mo is a lively and highly skilled forward that has regularly topped the VWFL goalkicking list in recent years. A member of the Bulldogs in four exhibition games, she is just as good on the ground as she is in the air, making her a tough opponent to match-up on.
Emma King
Age: 22
Position: Ruck
Plays with Coastal Titans in WAWFL
Selection #1 in 2014 Draft
Played with Western Bulldogs 2014, 2015
2 x WA State representative
2 x WAWFL player
Has a twin sister, one of two sets in the family
Day job: Has just completed her architecture degree
King always has an impact when she takes the field. A high-leaping ruck that is a hard runner and a consistent team player with a 50m accurate kick. King can go forward and hit the scoreboard when needed.
A big day for the @CollingwoodFC and for Women's Football#SideBySide pic.twitter.com/3SfpEqlQcS
â Meg Hutchins (@hutchy_25) July 27, 2016
FREMANTLE
Kiara Bowers
Age: 24
Position: Midfielder
Plays with Coastal Titans
Selection #19 in 2013 Draft
Played with Melbourne in 2013, 2014, 2015
5 x WA State representative
4 x WAWFL League Best & Fairest
3 x WAWFL player
Day job: Area Manager for Hendry
The best runner in the women’s game, ‘Turbo’ as she is known loves to break the lines. A four time WAWFL Best and fairest winner, Bowers is a quality footballer who relishes the contest.
Kara Donnellan
Age: 24
Position: Midfielder
Captains Swan Districts in WAWFL
Selection #5 in 2013 Draft
Played with Melbourne 2013, 2014, 2015
3 x WA State representative
3 x Vic State representative
3 x All-Australian
2 x Club B&F at Swan Districts
Originally from Victoria
Day job: Justice and High Performance Manager at Swans Districts
Donnellan is a household name in female footy. She is a quick outside runner who is super brave under a high ball. Ultra tough, consistent and a great team player, you always know she will give it her all and leave nothing in the tank.
GWS
Renee Forth
Age: 29
Position: Midfielder
Captains Coastal Titans in WAWFL
2012 Club Best and Fairest
Selection #41 in 2013 Draft
4 x WA Representative
Played with Melbourne 2013, 2014
Played with Western Bulldogs in 2015
Day job: Electrician
‘Sparky’ as she is affectionately known, is a hard running versatile player. Agile and strong overhead Forth knows how to find the footy. Ultra professional on and off field, Forth is a fantastic role model who lives and breathes footy.
Emma Swanson
Age: 21
Position: Midfielder
Selection #29 in 2013 Draft
Plays with East Fremantle in WAWFL
4 x Club Best and Fairest
Played with Melbourne 2013, 2014, 2015
4 x WA Representative at seniors and youth girls’ level
Youth Girls All Australian
Day job: AFL Game Development Officer
Swanson is a tall midfielder who will use height, strength and leap to advantage. Versatile and often will play the fifth midfielder role off a half forward.
MELBOURNE
Melissa Hickey
Age: 31
Position: Defender
Selection #11 in 2013 Draft
3 x Victorian player
4 x premiership player with the Darebin Falcons
2 x All-Australian
Grew up in Mildura, a distant relation to Geelong great Reg Hickey
Day job: Fitness consultant
Hickey is one of the best defenders in the female game, having represented Melbourne three times in exhibition matches. She has an aggressive attack on the ball and tries to hurt her opponent by running off and attacking at any opportunity. A later starter to AFL football, she has a huge future ahead.
Daisy Pearce
Age: 28
Position: Midfielder
Melbourne captain 2013, 2014, 2015
Selection #1 in 2013 Draft
Captains the Darebin Falcons
8 x premiership player
4 x Victorian player
4 x All-Australian
6 x VWFL Premier Division B&F – Helen Lambert Medal
Day job: Previously a midwife and now an Intern with Melbourne FC
Pearce is an intelligent footballer, quick decision-maker and effective passer of the ball by hand and foot. She frequently runs her opposition off their legs with her elite endurance and work ethic. She is the most decorated player in the game having been a four-time All-Australian at national hampionships, a six-time Helen Lambert medallist for best player in the VWFL and two-time best on ground in exhibition matches.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Ellie Blackburn
Age: 21
Position: Midfield
Plays with Melbourne Uni
Selection #13 in 2013 Draft
2 x Victorian Representative
Played with Melbourne 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
All-Australian at both senior and youth girls’ level
50+ senior games in the VWFL
Grew up barracking for Hawthorn
Day job: Store manager
A prolific ball winner and a prodigious kick of the football, Blackburn is regularly at the top of the stats sheet at both club and exhibition level. She was a star throughout her youth girls career as a four-time All-Australian and has gone on with it at senior level. Still only 21 years old, she will continue to get better as her running capacity increases and should be a leading player in the national league for the next decade.
Katie Brennan
Age: 23
Position: Forward
Originally from QLD now living in Victoria playing with the Darebin Falcons
Selection #22 in 2013 Draft
Victorian State Representative on 2 occasions
QLD State Representative at both senior and youth girls’ level
3 x premiership player with the Darebin Falcons
3 x All-Australian
Day job: Strength and conditioning coach
One of the stars of the game, Queensland born Katie Brennan has made a real name for herself after relocating to Victoria. Strong hands and a massive engine, Brennan also shows incredible leadership with her on field actions and preparation off the field.
Originally published as Women’s league clubs announce marquee player signings