In good news for the Hawthorn women’s side, the club has locked in another four returning AFLW-listed stars ahead of the 2019 VFLW season.
Jayde Van Dyk, Rebecca Beeson, Phoebe McWilliams and Pepa Randall will all don the brown and gold for another year, after each playing a pivotal role in Hawthorn’s 2018 VFLW premiership.
Van Dyk comes in fresh from her debut AFLW season with the Blues, after being selected with Pick 21 in the 2018 draft. The youngster played in every game of the season, averaging 10 disposals and two tackles, while helping her side to a grand final appearance.
Her 2018 VFLW campaign was heavily decorated, adding a premiership medallion, the league Rising Star award and Hawthorn’s best and fairest medal to her trophy cabinet.
Beeson returns after her third AFLW season with the Giants - arguably her best campaign to date. The 22-year-old was named in the extended All Australian squad after her seven appearances saw an average of 16 disposals, seven tackles and five marks.
She was also a prolific ball winner in Hawthorn’s premiership season last year, reflected by her runner-up finish in the best and fairest count.
Her former AFLW teammate McWilliams comes back after her first season with the newly formed Cats. After starting strongly with six appearances, McWilliams season ended abruptly when she broke her hand, causing her to miss the preliminary final.
A prolific presence in front of goal, the 33-year-old was another key contributor in the Hawks’ 2018 premiership win.
Randall, the last of the recently re-signed quartet, is another star returning from the Giants’ AFLW campaign.
While her disposal figures aren’t huge, it’s what she does off and around the ball that makes the 23-year-old such an important player; opposition forwards may be in for a quiet day if lining up against the talented Randall.
The quartet join former Crow Sarah Perkins as the high-profile Hawks confirmed ahead of the 2019 VFLW season, with more to be announced shortly.
Hawthorn will kick off its premiership defence next Sunday 12 May at 11.30am, when the women take on the NT Thunder at Box Hill City Oval.
