Hawthorn defenders Jenna Richardson, Louise Stephenson, Catherine Brown and Ainslie Kemp have re-signed with the club following its inaugural AFLW season.
Stephenson had already signed a two-year deal prior to last season, meaning her contract will end at the conclusion of the 2023 season.
Brown and Kemp have also signed on until the end of the 2023 season while Richardson has recommitted to the club until the end of 2024.
Their signatures add to those of Hawthorn’s Season 7 AFLW draft class, with Jasmine Fleming, Mackenzie Eardley, Charlotte Baskaran, Bridie Hipwell, Emily Everist, Lucy Wales and Laura Elliott all recommitting to the club last week.
After battling injury for the first half of the season, Richardson made her debut in Hawthorn’s Round 6 win against West Coast and played a starring role.
She then made the AFLW Team of the Week in just her second game, recording 12 disposals and 10 intercept possessions playing against Port Adelaide’s Erin Phillips, before shutting down GWS’ Cora Staunton a week later.
Although she only suited up for three games due to injury in Season 7, Stephenson still showed why she was selected in the club’s inaugural AFLW leadership group.
The 27-year-old was diligent in her rehab and often featured in the coaches’ box while on the sidelines.
When on the field, Stephenson demonstrated her versatility, as the traditional defender often ran through the midfield to aid Hawthorn’s young on-ball brigade.
Brown played all 10 games for Hawthorn in Season 7 thanks to her reliability as a key back.
The 29-year-old averaged 10.1 disposals and was ranked first in the league for her 57 rebound 50s.
Kemp made her Hawthorn debut in Round 3 after recovering from three ACL injuries while previously playing for Melbourne’s AFLW side.
She averaged 8.1 disposals and won Hawthorn’s AFLW Mark of the Year, often shutting down key opponents along the way.
Hawthorn AFLW List Manager Mitchell Cashion was excited to have five promising defenders recommit to the club.
“We’re really excited to have Jenna, Louise, Catherine and Ainslie as part of our future at the Hawks,” Cashion said.
“I’m proud of our defenders for showing great faith in our developing program and can’t wait to see them all continue to elevate their games this season.”
