TILLY Lucas-Rodd has been named Hawthorn's inaugural AFLW captain.

It caps off a remarkable rise through the AFLW ranks for the 26-year-old, who started her AFLW career at Carlton in 2017 and was delisted at the conclusion of the 2019 season.

The midfielder was almost immediately thrown a lifeline by St Kilda, playing three seasons with the Saints before crossing to Hawthorn in June.

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Lucas-Rodd has now played 43 games across six seasons, and was co-vice captain of the Saints in 2021.

She is joined in the leadership group by vice-captain Jess Duffin, former Giant Lou Stephenson and VFLW co-captain Tamara Luke.

"In Tilly, we're getting a tenacious midfielder who leads by example and wears the brown and gold with pride," coach Bec Goddard said.

"She has had an outstanding pre-season so far and I'm excited to see what she does as our inaugural captain.

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"Jess has also been a standout during pre-season with her leadership capabilities and willingness to play whatever role is required for the team.

"Rounding out the quartet with Lou and Tam is a fantastic result as the duo are recognised leaders and much-loved by their teammates."

Lucas-Rodd and Erin Phillips (Port Adelaide) will captain two of the expansion sides, with Essendon and Sydney – along with Gold Coast, which lost skipper Hannah Dunn to the Power – yet to name their leaders.