Hawthorn has landed star premiership duo Emily Bates and Greta Bodey in a major coup ahead of the 2023 AFLW season.
Bates and Bodey both put pen to paper on the second day of the AFLW Priority Signing Period (PSP), in which the club is permitted to sign up to three players who have played three or more seasons of AFLW.
As one of the AFLW’s premier players, Bates’ resume speaks for itself.
The 27-year-old averaged 21.3 disposals and 7.1 tackles per match in Season 6, culminating in her winning the league best and fairest award, the AFL Coaches Association AFLW Champion Player of the Year and AFL Players Association AFLW Most Valuable Player, becoming the first AFLW player to win all three individual end-of-season awards.
In her most recent campaign, Bates boasted stellar averages of 18.2 disposals, 6.5 tackles and 4.5 clearances, guiding her team to a third Grand Final appearance.
Across her 66 games, Bates has won her club’s best and fairest award three times and lifted the premiership cup in 2021.
Bodey arrives at the Hawks off the back of an outstanding 2022 season.
After averaging 10.2 disposals, 2.4 inside 50s and 2.6 tackles, the 27-year-old finished the season as the Lions’ leading goalkicker, booting 11 goals from her 13 appearances.
Her stellar form culminated in her first All Australian selection at the conclusion of Season 7.
Overall, she has kicked 35 majors from her 42 AFLW games, highlighting her strength and smarts inside 50.
Hawthorn AFLW List Manager Mitchell Cashion was delighted to welcome the elite duo to the Hawks.
“Emily and Greta will be incredible additions to our young and developing team in 2023,” Cashion said.
“As a premiership player, AFLW Best and Fairest winner and three-time All Australian, Emily’s leadership and experience will be invaluable for our playing group.
“Greta is one of the most explosive and dangerous forwards in the AFLW.
“She adds to a quick and exciting forward line that we have begun to build over the past nine months.
“It’ll be exciting for Hawks fans to witness Emily Bates, Jasmine Fleming and Tilly Lucas-Rodd in the same midfield as well as Greta Bodey, Sophie Locke and Tahlia Fellows in the same forward line.”
Hawthorn AFLW Senior Coach Bec Goddard said Bates and Bodey’s signings were a landmark moment for the AFLW.
“Emily and Greta have had to make life-changing decisions and we’re so glad that they’ve chosen Hawthorn as their destination,” Goddard said.
“They will be welcomed with open arms by the Hawthorn family and will change the way we move the ball in 2023.
“We’re so excited for our members, fans, players and the entire Hawthorn community to see what they do in the brown and gold.”
The AFLW Priority Signing Period ends on Wednesday 8 March, with the Hawks permitted to sign one more player who has played three or more seasons of AFLW.
