Emily Bates has been unveiled as Hawthorn’s AFLW captain ahead of the 2024 season.
The star midfielder becomes just the second AFLW captain in club history, following in the footsteps of inaugural captain Tilly Lucas-Rodd.
Bates will be supported by Eliza West as vice-captain, with the premiership-winning recruit earning the immediate respect from teammates after joining the club from Melbourne at the end of last season.
Following a significant role as the club’s inaugural captain, Tilly Lucas-Rodd remains a vital member of Hawthorn’s leadership group, alongside Jasmine Fleming and Jenna Richardson.
28-year-old Bates is no stranger to leading her peers, having served as co-vice-captain since joining the Hawks from Brisbane at the end of 2022.
Bates has been long revered across the league during her highly decorated 76-game career to date, which includes a premiership (2021), AFLW best and fairest (2022 S6), three All Australians (2017, 2018, 2022 S6) and five club best and fairests.
Her influence in the brown and gold has been felt right from the beginning, playing every game in her first season with the Hawks, averaging 20.8 disposals, 13 contested possessions (career-high), 9.7 tackles (career-high) and 4.9 clearances.
Hawthorn CEO Ash Klein congratulated Bates on her appointment, acknowledging the instrumental impact she has made right across the football club.
“We are exceptionally proud to unveil Emily Bates as our next AFLW captain to lead us into the future,” Klein said.
“Emily has long demonstrated her standing across the league during her early days at Brisbane and since becoming a Hawk, her influence has been profound.
“Through her elite standards and actions, both on and off the field, Emily has worked incredibly hard to build the trust and respect from her teammates and coaches, which gives us great confidence she will flourish in her new role as captain.
“Eliza’s appointment as vice-captain is a testament to her leadership qualities, having earned this recognition from her peers in just a few short months at our football club.
“We know the quality of person and player Eliza was when we recruited her, and her ability to make an immediate impact on our group to be named vice-captain is significant.
“In celebrating our new leaders, I’d like to acknowledge Tilly Lucas-Rodd, who has served tremendously well as our inaugural captain in our first two seasons.
“Importantly, Tilly remains in our leadership group for season 2024, alongside Jas Fleming and Jenna Richardson, which is a fantastic result for our emerging group.
“On behalf of everyone at the club, we thank Tilly enormously for their service as our inaugural AFLW captain, they will always be an important part of the Hawthorn fabric.”
Following news of her appointment was announced to the playing group on Thursday, Bates said she was honoured to captain the Hawks.
“It’s an incredible honour and privilege to be named captain of this great club,” Bates said.
“With such a rich history at Hawthorn, I am immensely proud to take on this responsibility and lead our AFLW program into the future.
“Since pulling on the brown and gold for the first time, I have felt enormously supported by my teammates, coaches and the broader club, and I cannot wait to serve as their captain.
“I am very optimistic about what our group can achieve this season, everyone has been relentless in their pursuit to improve and collectively take our game to the next level in 2024 – our sights are firmly set on Round 1.”
Hawthorn will begin its 2024 campaign Sunday 1 September when its hosts Carlton at Kinetic Stadium in Frankston.
2024 Hawthorn AFLW Leadership Group
Captain: Emily Bates
Vice-Captain: Eliza West
Leadership group: Tilly Lucas-Rodd, Jasmine Fleming and Jenna Richardson
