Gold Coast Sun Ashlee Atkins has announced her retirement after 41 AFLW games.
The 29-year-old played five games for the Suns this season, her first with the club, after making the move from West Coast after season six. Prior to her days as an Eagle, Atkins spent two seasons with Fremantle, playing 13 games.
Atkins thanked all three clubs she had been a part of, also expressing her pride at the development of the AFLW competition since its inaugural 2018 season.
โI've been lucky enough to be involved in some pretty amazing footy clubs and teams, both on-field and off-field, and this last season would be one of the fondest memories of my career,โ Atkins said.
โIt's been wonderful coming over here. Everyone has been so supportive and it's really wound back the clock for me.
โAs much as I wish I could hang on for the success to come, it's time for me to hang up the boots.
โI made the most of my opportunity. I didn't know how long I was going to get.
We'd like to thank Ash Atkins for her contribution to our footy club after she announced her retirement. All the best for what's next, Happy โค๏ธ๐https://t.co/FBicccZo77
— Gold Coast Suns (@GoldCoastSUNS) November 10, 2022
โIt was pretty exciting to be a pioneer for women's footy. It hasn't quite sunk in yet, but it's something I'll look back on and be very proud of.
โTo see where the AFLW has gone from 2018 to now is just unbelievable. To see the young players come through now and know what's hopefully ahead for them, it's exciting.โ
The forward made the announcement to teammates and coaches on Thursday.
