Brisbane Lions AFLW have locked away three of their star talents to at least the end of the 2027 season.
Premiership captain Breanna Koenen, vice-captain Natalie Griderย and two-time premiership player Orla O'Dwyer will all remain in the northern state for at least four more years.
The trio all signed contract extensions in the off-season after having fantastic 2023 seasons, becoming premiers and Koenen being best on ground in the 2023 AFLW Grand Final.
Koenen is known as a fierce and gutsy player in the midfield and her leadership on and off the field. Grider's clean ball use, and her ability to clear the ball out of the Lions' defensive half, have made her become a key figure in the club's defence. O'Dwyer adds exceptional pace and physicality on the wing, which provides the Lions with a lot of run.
These three are all significant players for the Lions and signing long-term contracts is a huge asset for the AFLW program at the Lions.
Koenen has been part of Lions leadership since 2022, having stints as both captain and vice-captain and is excited to remain at the club after winning their second premiership in three years last year.
โI'm really excited to be staying at the Club for the next four years and couldn't think of anywhere else I'd want to play my footy,โ she said.
โWe're in a really strong position, we're hungry for more success and that's something I definitely want to be a part of and continue to drive.
โWe've built such a great culture amongst this group, driven by Bree (Brock) and Craig (Starcevich) and I'm looking forward to seeing how far this group can go.โ
Grider said she is thrilled to remain at the club and continue building to see what they are capable of.
โI love this Club, we've had some success throughout my time here but that is a product of the people who make this place what it is,โ she said.
โTo say that I'm going to play here for next four seasons is something I'm really grateful for.
โWe are all super excited for this season and we want to keep developing on what we've built here at the Lions.โ
2022 All-Australian and two-time premiership player, O'Dwyer, has played a key role in the Lions' side since 2020, patrolling the wing.
Recruited from Ireland, O'Dwyer arrived at the Lions in 2020, adding a lot of pace and physicality on the wing, becoming a real asset for the Lions. The 25 year old finished runner-up in the best and fairest in her first season.
โI'm really excited to be staying at the Club until 2027,โ O'Dwyer said.
โThis group has been great since I've come over here and to be able to say I'm going to be here for another few years is amazing.
โWe are really focussed now to get back into the grind of preseason and kick things off in 2024.โ
AFLW senior coach, Craig Starcevich expressed his delight in three of the club's leaders and most senior players committing their loyalty to the Lions.
โWe as a program have been through instances where we have lost players to expansion or different opportunities across the eight years of this competition,โ he said.
โTo see the influx of players committing longer term to the Club and this program demonstrates the culture we have here.
โBoth Bre and Nat play an enormous role in helping foster that, as does Orla and to have them on board for the next four seasons is not only exciting for the playing group but for the coaching staff as well to see your leaders want to continue to be part of the Clubs success.โ
This announcement follows contract extensions for fellow premiership Lions Belle Dawes, Jade Ellenger, Tahlia Hickie, Shannon Campbell, Lily Postlethwaite, Ruby Svarc, Poppy Boltz along with the re-signings of Courtney Hodder, Taylor Smith and Charlotte Mullins.
The Brisbane Lions AFLW side will begin to kick off their premiership defence with pre-season training officially starting on Monday, June 3, with the 2024 season commencing in the final weeks of August.
