Hawthorn’s VFLW list has been strengthened ahead of the 2020 season with the re-signing of a talented quartet of Hawks.
The returning group consists of Olivia Flanagan, Maddi Shaw, Tayah Kelly and Chloe O’Malley who were all members of Hawthorn's VFLW side in 2019.
READ: 2020 VFLW fixture released
GM - VFL and VFLW Football Daniel Napoli said he was thrilled to see the young group return for another season.
“Each of these girls has the talent and passion we look for in our players,” Napoli said.
“They’re a group that are still growing as athletes and we will continue to develop each of them during the next twelve months.
“We believe they have the potential to be the next generation of AFLW players and we’re excited to see what football they will produce in 2020.”
Flanagan is the longest-serving Hawk of the group, having played with the club since 2017, including being an integral member of the 2018 VFLW premiership side.
The 20-year-old is an explosive midfielder who has the ability to make an impact on the scoreboard.
Shaw came to the Hawks last year from Gippsland Power and made herself known early in the season, debuting in Round 3 at just 17 years old.
She went on to play six games in the brown and gold and cemented her skills as a strong half-back, learning from the likes of Talia Radan and Meg Hutchins.
Similarly to Shaw, Kelly spent the first part of the year playing for Eastern Ranges in the NAB League Girls competition.
The 18-year-old played five games in 2019, but has produced a solid pre-season, looking to be a strong inside-mid for the Hawks in 2020.
O’Malley is the only player of the quartet who is yet to play a game in the brown and gold. She spent 2019 training with the Hawks and after impressing at training was elevated onto the list late in the year. This season the 18-year-old is an exciting inclusion with the continued development she has shown during pre-season.
Claire Dyett, a member of the Hawthorn side for the past two years, is also committed to Hawthorn for 2020 but will spend time on the sidelines in rehabilitation after rupturing her ACL towards the end of last season.
Round 1 of the 2020 VFLW season will kick off on Sunday 10 May, when the Hawks take on North Melbourne at Arden Street Oval from 11.30am.
