Hawthorn has announced a haul of AFLW star talent on the eve of the club’s inaugural AFLW season.
Tilly Lucas-Rodd, Jess Duffin, Janet Baird and Akec Makur Chuot have agreed to put pen to paper in what is a huge step forward for Bec Goddard’s team.
Lucas-Rodd will suit up in the brown and gold for her seventh AFLW season after playing 43 games for Carlton and St Kilda.
Last season, the 26-year-old finished second in St Kilda’s AFLW best and fairest and earned a place in the All Australian squad.
The star midfielder also averaged 20.1 disposals to go with seven tackles and was ranked second in the AFLW for pressure acts, highlighting her elite ball-winning ability.
Duffin, a dual All Australian, brings leadership and experience to Hawthorn’s program, having played in the AFLW since its inaugural season for both Collingwood and North Melbourne.
The 32-year-old is also a successful cricketer, having captained the Melbourne Renegades in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) and making the Team of the Tournament in 2019.
Baird arrives at the Hawks from the Gold Coast Suns, where she suited up on three occasions.
The Northern Territory junior was also a member of the AFLW Academy and won the Northern Territory Football League (NTFL) Best and Fairest in 2019.
Makur Chuot is no stranger to the AFLW system, having played 23 games with Fremantle and Richmond.
The defender, who hails from South Sudan, also has experience in the Western Australian Women’s Football League (WAFLW) with Swan Districts and VFLW with Carlton.
Hawthorn General Manager - Operations & AFLW, Josh Vanderloo was thrilled to see the Hawks’ AFLW list take shape.
“We’re really excited to announce this group of talented players with AFLW experience, all of whom have strong leadership credentials,” Vanderloo said.
“With a mix of AFLW, VFLW and NAB League Girls experience in our side, we are well prepared to enter the competition and start an exciting new journey with our fans and the wider Hawthorn community.”
The AFLW experience of Lucas-Rodd, Duffin, Baird, Makur Chuot and Tegan Cunningham will join exciting prospects Bridget Deed, Zoe Barbakos, Sophie Locke, Dominique Carbone and Eliza Shannon in brown and gold for the club’s inaugural AFLW season.
“Our program is not only focused on recruiting great football players and staff but also great people, and our fans will continue to see that shine through as we announce further signings over the coming days and weeks,” Vanderloo said.
