Collingwood AFLW midfielder Brianna Davey will continue in her stride as Captain for the Pies for season 2024.
Davey, who served as sole captain for the first time last year, will head up a seven-person leadership group. Vice Captains Brittany Bonnici and Ruby Schleicher will resume their roles in the leadership group, while Jordyn Allen has been elevated to a Vice Captain position this year.
Rounding out the group are returning leaders Lauren Butler and Mikala Cann, while Sabrina Frederick is a fresh addition to the group.
Davey had an impressive 2023 season – after returning from an ACL injury the year prior – with her efforts on field seeing her receive runner up in the Club’s Best and Fairest Award.
Collingwood AFLW foundation players Brittany Bonnici and Ruby Schleicher will embark on their fourth season as Vice-Captains.
Also returning from an ACL injury in 2023, Bonnici didn’t miss a beat. She was awarded the Club’s 2023 Best and Fairest award and finished 11th in the AFLW’s Best and Fairest count.
Dual All-Australian (2021, 2022), Schleicher, eagerly awaits her return to the field after sustaining a knee injury late in the 2023 AFLW season.
2022 Collingwood AFLW Best and Fairest winner, Allen, approaches her seventh season with the Pies. Allen was elevated to the Pies’ leadership group in 2023 and celebrated her 50th AFLW game last year.
Lauren Butler will serve her second year as a leader. Dominating in one-on-one contests, the 23-year-old is a strong pillar in defence.
Approaching her sixth season as a Magpie and second year as a leader, Cann has established herself as a key midfielder for the side.
AFLW inaugural player, Sabrina Frederick, is a new addition to the Pies’ leadership group. Approaching her fourth season in the black and white, the dual All-Australian (2017, 2018) is highly respected amongst the playing group. 2023 was arguably the 27-year-old’s best season to date, dominating as the Pies’ ruck.
Collingwood’s General Manager of Women’s Football, Jess Burger, congratulated the selected leaders.
“Bri’s leadership continues to evolve, setting new benchmarks for what the team needs from a Captain,” Burger said.
“Her reappointment as Captain signals our collective belief in her vision for the team’s future success.
“Ruby and Brit have been cornerstone leaders, and their experience will be essential for this season. The elevation of Jordy to Vice-Captain is an exciting new chapter for our program, bringing a further drive to shape our team.
“Having Lauren and Mikala continue their journey as leaders with us is exciting to see.
“We welcome ‘Sabs’ to the group. As a senior player, Sabs has played a leadership role with us from day one, without an official title. She embodies strong qualities that will guide the playing group and ensure their success.
“This leadership group represents a perfect blend of established experience and emerging talent, positioning us strongly for the season ahead.”
Appointment of the Club’s leaders is a program-wide process. The voting-process incorporated values and leadership qualities of players both on and off the field. A final recommendation was rectified by the Club’s Board of Directors.
Collingwood’s 2024 AFLW Leadership Group
Captain – Brianna Davey
Vice Captains – Ruby Schleicher, Brittany Bonnici, and Jordyn Allen
Leaders – Mikala Cann, Lauren Butler, and Sabrina Frederick