Hawthorn has pulled off a major recruiting coup this week, with the addition of six experienced AFLW stars onto its growing list.
Defender Louise Stephenson and forward Sarah Perkins are the latest to have both committed to signing with the brown and gold.
Both players have featured in the AFLW since its inaugural season and will form part of Hawthorn’s spine for the upcoming season.
Originally from Victoria, Stephenson played 33 games for the GWS Giants.
The hard-working defender is set to play a key role in the brown and gold as its key post, according to AFLW List Manager Mitchell Cashion.
“Lou is a professional in the way she goes about it and will play as our number one key defender,” Cashion said.
“We know she can shut down players but we can also trust her ball use and decision-making.”
Perkins will be returning to the club she has supported since she was a child following stints with Adelaide, Melbourne and Gold Coast at AFLW level.
She will also reunite with her inaugural AFLW coach Bec Goddard, who recruited the 28-year-old back in 2016 ahead of the league’s debut the following year.
Cashion was excited about Perkins’ potential in the brown and gold.
“Sarah is a proven goal-kicker and former All Australian full forward,” Cashion said.
“She is a fan favourite in the Hawthorn community and will finally get to pull on the jumper of the team she’s supported since she was a child.
“We look forward to her reuniting with Bec Goddard, who gave Sarah her chance in the AFLW back in 2016.”
Stephenson and Perkins’ commitment means Hawthorn now has seven players with AFLW experience on its list.
Tilly Lucas-Rodd, Jess Duffin, Akec Makur Chuot and Janet Baird also all declared their intent to sign with the Hawks on Monday, joining Tegan Cunningham for the upcoming season.
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 Hawks, who know have a dozen players committed to signing, are looking forward to announcing more exciting signings in the coming days and weeks.
