Having been appointed as Hawthorn's captain for the second straight season, Tilly Lucas-Rodd is looking forward to the challenge of being themselves while also slightly changing their leadership approach.
The star midfielder will lead a new-look leadership group in the 2023 season, with Emily Bates and Jasmine Fleming appointed as co-vice-captains and Louise Stephenson, Catherine Brown and Tamara Luke rounding out the leadership group.
Speaking after receiving the news of their appointment, Lucas-Rodd said they looked forward to evolving their leadership this season.
"An important thing Bec (Goddard) said and Screeni (Jenni Screen, AFLW Player Development Manager) said too is that you're put in this position, you were voted in by your peers so you shouldn't change too much," the 27-year-old said.
"But I think for me last year, the focus of my own leadership and the whole leadership group was building a good culture and foundation and I think, going forward into this season, we can really start to challenge each other and build more of those professional standards and behaviours.
"So for me, I'll keep doing what I'm doing and lead by example because that's what got me here again but also I guess now I'm starting to challenge people and drive those elite standards so we can reach success on the field."
Your 2023 skipper, @Tillylr 🫡 pic.twitter.com/6XkIauLpVP
— Hawthorn FC AFLW (@hawthornaflw) July 27, 2023
With three returning leaders and three new leaders, Lucas-Rodd said the group had a good mix of people to take the club forward.
"I think the mix is really good between the six of us," the skipper said.
"We've got some new people in Batesy, Flem and Brownie coming in, I think they're all going to bring something different and new.
"It's always nice to have new voices because they challenge you and bring you new ideas so it's really exciting.
"We've got some older people and some younger people from different sports and different teams coming together so I think it's going to bring fresh ideas and brand to the leadership group for us."
The Hawks will continue their preparations for the 2023 season with two newly announced pre-season matches on 12 August and 19 August before taking the field at Kinetic Stadium on 2 September for their season opener against Essendon.