Hawthorn has stamped their foot down ahead of the AFLW season, signing four AFLW-listedย players.
The newly appointed head coach Bec Goddard has made her intentions clear, signing Jessica Duffin, Tilly Lucas-Rodd, Akec Makur Chuot, and Janet Baird.
Duffin, an ex-International cricketer and dual All-Australian defender, has only played six games in 2022 for North Melbourne, averaging 9.83 disposals and 161.67m gained.
In her two games in the VFLW for North, Duffin averaged 24 disposals and ten marks. She will provide outstanding professionalism and leadership for the young Hawks side, given her captaincy credentials earned with the Melbourne Renegades in the WBBL.
Lucas-Rodd is possibly the Hawk's biggest AFLW signing to date. The tenacious inside midfielder enjoyed a breakout season in 2022, finishing second in the Saints B&F and gaining selection in the 40-woman All-Australian squad for the season.
With more time in the midfield due to Tyanna Smith and Georgia Patrikios being on the sidelines for an extended period, Lucas-Rodd averaged 20.10 disposals, 283.6m gained, seven tackles, and 87.6 fantasy points.
Lucas-Rodd turned heads in the Saint's gutsy, nine-point win over Geelong last summer, with 22 disposals (15 contested), ten tackles and 370m gained. Lucas-Rodd will give the Hawks much-needed fire in the middle with a top-two ranking for pressure acts in the competition.
Defender Makur Chuot joins the Hawks via Richmond and Fremantle, and spent time in the WAFLW with Swan Districts and VFLW with Carlton, whileย Baird has landed at the nest via the Gold Coast Suns. Baird hails from the Northern Territory and won the NTFLW league best and fairest in 2019.
Hawthorn General Manager - Operations & AFLW, Josh Vanderloo is excited about the upcoming season.
"Our program is not only focused on recruiting great football players and staff but also great people, and our fans will continue to see that shine through as we announce further signings over the coming days and weeks," Vanderloo said on hawthornfc.com.au.
Given a specific start date for season seven of the AFLW is yet to be announced, it is not yet known when this quartet of additions will make their first appearance in brown and gold bars.
