Hawthorn have landed their first-ever AFLW signing, with VFLW program star Bridget Deed becoming the Hawks' inaugural player appointment ahead of the club's induction next season.
Having already confirmed Adelaide premiership coach Bec Goddard as senior coach and Mitchell Cashion as list manager ahead of the 2023 season, Deed is the next historic signing for the Waverley club.
Currently plying her trade with NAB League side the Eastern Ranges, Deed has turned heads between her impressive campaign and throughout her time with the Hawks' women's program.
The talented teenager has averaged close to 32 possessions for the year as the Ranges have amounted a strong case for the premiership with a 4-0 start.
Deed, who was appointed captain of Eastern for the 2022 NAB League season, is set to be a stellar addition for Goddard's inaugural squad next year.
“We have been building some really strong foundations ahead of our launch into the AFLW competition,” Hawks CEO Justin Reeves said on the announcement.
“But to be finally signing our first player today is another level of excitement and we think Bridget represents exactly the type of character and cultural fit that we want to build our list around.”
The 18-year-old will continue to stake her claim as a star of the next generation, as she hopes to transition her quality at junior level into the top flight.
“Bridget has performed at an extremely high level across the first month or so of NAB League,” Cashion said.
“She is a proven ball-winning midfielder who can impact the game both on the inside and out.
“She also uses it well, with her left-foot kick a clear strength of her game.
“We think she has huge potential so we’re looking forward to watching her development in our program.”
Hawthorn will be set to enter their first season with Deed and a handful of high draft selections as they plan for 2023 in the AFLW, with Port Adelaide, Essendon and Sydney also adding to the league to form an 18-team league in its seventh season.