HAWTHORN has signed its first player ahead of its entry into the AFLW in 2023, with Eastern Ranges midfielder Bridget Deed joining the club.

Deed – who will turn 19 in March – has been in scintillating form for the Ranges across the first month of the competition, averaging 31.5 disposals, 7.5 tackles and 5.3 inside 50s.

The 167cm midfielder has also been a part of Hawthorn's VFLW program over summer, and represented the Ranges in both 2021 and 2020.

"Bridget has performed at an extremely high level across the first month or so of NAB League," AFLW list manager Mitchell 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."

While the finer details about expansion club signings are yet to be made public, there are four general categories through which players can be added:

• Open-age signings: players who have previously nominated for the NAB AFLW Draft and aren’t on a list
• Under-18 talent from their NGA region. There will be a limit on this category, which is yet to be determined
• Sign and Trade Period: following the expansion signing period. Expansion clubs cannot on-trade players they have signed through other mechanisms
• NAB AFLW Draft

The expansion clubs will receive the first eight picks of the state-based draft, with the order to be determined at random.

They will then receive remaining picks at the end of each round, following the existing 14 clubs.

Did you head to the footy over the weekend? Tell us your thoughts! Take the survey now