Collingwood defender Ashleigh Brazill has informed the club that she will not return to the field during the Magpies' 2022 campaign.
Having recently concluded her allotted duties with the Australian Netball Team, the 32-year-old alerted the Magpies' football staff that playing a role this season came second to her pursuit of a spot on the Diamonds' roster for the upcoming Commonwealth Games.
Within a prepared statement, Collingwood's Head of Women’s Football Jess Burger revealed that the dual code star had their blessing to shift her focus to the event which will commence in Birmingham this July.
“While both Ash and the club are disappointed to not see her take to the field this season, we understand and support her decision to ensure she can best prepare and manage her body in a Commonwealth Games year” Burger told collingwoodfc.com.au.
“We wish her all the best for the upcoming Super Netball season and for the pursuit of future international duties.”
After returning from an ACL injury last season, Brazill's poise and determination at both ends of the ground were enough to help the Pies within a whisker of a grand final berth.
Yet, as a veteran inside the Diamonds' set-up, the New South Welshwoman held a view that narrowing her output would help her side claim gold on the court later this year.
“My body didn’t pull up as well as I wanted it to coming home from England and I need to get my body in the best shape possible to try and play for Australia and make that Commonwealth Games team,” Brazill told teammates earlier this week.
“It breaks my heart as (this team) means the absolute world to me and I know I wouldn’t have this Diamonds opportunity if it wasn’t for you all.
“I remember being a five-year-old kid playing with teddy bears doing signatures pretending I’d won a medal at the Commonwealth Games and I really don’t want to let that little five-year-old down. As much as I’m letting you guys down and I feel selfish picking this, I’m not leaving and I’ll still be here for trainings and games cheering you on.”
Brazill has earned 12 caps for Australia since 2015 and has made 16 appearances in black and white stripes after making her AFLW debut in 2018.
Despite being absent for the remainder of Collingwood's premiership push this season, Brazill remains contracted at the Holden Centre until the cessation of 2023.