Hawthorn AFLW midfielders Tilly Lucas-Rodd, Aileen Gilroy, Kaitlyn Ashmore, Akec Makur Chuot, Tamara Smith and Bridget Deed have all recommitted to the club after an impressive debut campaign in the brown and gold.
Young guns Smith and Deed have signed on until the end of the 2024 season while Lucas-Rodd, Ashmore, Gilroy and Makur Chuot have put pen to paper until the conclusion of the 2023 season.
These six signatures add to those of Hawthorn’s seven inaugural draftees and defenders Louise Stephenson, Ainslie Kemp, Catherine Brown and Jenna Richardson.
Lucas-Rodd led the side brilliantly as captain in the club’s inaugural season, all while taking their new game to new heights.
The 26-year-old averaged 17.6 disposals, 4.2 clearances and 8.4 tackles, ranking fourth in the league in that department, before going on to win Hawthorn’s inaugural best and fairest award.
Gilroy starred in a number of roles for the Hawks in Season 7, finishing her campaign with impressive averages of 12.3 disposals and 5.3 tackles.
The 30-year-old capped off a stunning debut season in the brown and gold by finishing second in Hawthorn’s best and fairest count and claiming the coveted Gold Standards Award.
Ashmore excelled in her first season in the brown and gold on the wing, averaging 12.2 disposals and 2.8 marks.
The 31-year-old also notched up her 50th game before going on to place fourth in Hawthorn’s best and fairest count.
Makur Chuot also found a new home on the wing, impressing with her athleticism, strong hands and ball movement.
She ended the season playing all 10 games and averaging 9.5 disposals, with a highlight of her season undoubtedly being her Goal of the Year contender against GWS in Round 8.
It just had to be! 🤩
— Hawthorn FC AFLW (@hawthornaflw) November 17, 2022
Akec Makur Chuot has been awarded the Goal of the Year for this spectacular effort in Round 8. 👇 pic.twitter.com/smouCKoTFY
Smith lived up to her tag as the tackling machine in Hawthorn’s inaugural season, ranking fifth in the competition for her 83 tackles.
Featuring in all 10 games, the 22-year-old averaged 10.3 disposals and 8.3 tackles before being named Hawthorn’s Most Courageous Player at the club’s best and fairest night.
Hawthorn’s first-ever AFLW-listed player Deed played five games for the Hawks in Season 7, averaging 7.2 disposals.
The 20-year-old improved with each game she played and ended her debut season with a career-high 10 disposals against Fremantle in Round 10.
Hawthorn AFLW List Manager Mitchell Cashion was excited to secure the signatures of the Hawks midfield brigade.
“It’s fantastic to be able to reward Tilly, Aileen, Kaitlyn, Akec, Tamara and Bridget for their outstanding inaugural season with us,” Cashion said.
“All six players made significant contributions to our progress last season and they’ll continue to play a big part in establishing our foundations for the future.”
