INAUGURAL Blue and Roo Danielle Hardiman has announced her retirement from the AFLW.
Drafted with pick No.35 in the 2016 draft, Hardiman made her debut in the very first AFLW game at Ikon Park in 2017, wearing the navy blue.
The key defender played 12 games for Carlton before moving to North Melbourne in the first expansion phase for the 2019 season.
Hardiman went on to play a further 30 games as a Kangaroo, taking her career tally to 42 across seven seasons.
"Dani has been important and much-loved member of the side both on and off the field since our first season in 2019," North Melbourne head of women's football Nathan Hrovat said.
"She epitomised the Kangaroo spirit and her devotion to the team and the program was second to none. We will certainly miss having her around the club.
"We thank Dani for her fantastic contribution to our program during her five seasons in the blue and white and wish her all the best in life post-football. As an inaugural Roo, she will always be a special part of our history and will always be welcome at Arden St."
North Melbourne now has an open list spot to fill, with Hardiman's replacement set to join Kate Shierlaw, Eliza Shannon, Lulu Pullar, Liz McGrath, Niamh Martin and Ruby Tripod as new Roos for the 2023 season.
ELISE O'DEA
FOUNDATION AFLW player Elise O'Dea has called time on her seven-season career.
The 31-year-old played 28 games for Melbourne between 2017-2020, before revitalising her footy at Carlton, adding another 28 matches in the following three seasons.
Having come through the Darebin Falcons pathway prior to AFLW, O'Dea formed a high-quality midfield with Daisy Pearce and Karen Paxman at Melbourne, before her versatility came to the fore at the Blues, playing across all three lines at times.
The strong-bodied midfielder set the tone for wider competition with her attack on the footy in the early days of the AFLW, averaging 17.4 disposals in her time at the Dees.
O'Dea was appointed co-vice captain after moving to Carlton, a switch which came after she needed a fresh start in football.
"This game has given me so much on the field but off the field as well, through the friendships I’ve made and countless memories," O’Dea said.
"I feel so grateful to have played in the first seven seasons of this competition, it has been a real privilege to be a part of and something I will always cherish.
"Thank you so much to Melbourne and Carlton for the opportunities they gave me to live out my dream, and to all the fans for their support. AFLW is only just getting started and I cannot wait to see it continue to thrive long into the future."
AL DOWNIE
INAUGURAL Blue turned Magpie Alison Downie has announced her retirement from the AFLW after 59 games.
Downie played in that very first game back in February 2017 for Carlton after a long career in the WNBL for the Dandenong Rangers, before crossing to Collingwood in 2022.
In that time, she racked up 723 hitouts and 426 disposals, while also kicking 10 goals straight. With her first goal in the black and white, Downie also registered the 250th AFLW goal at Ikon Park – the first venue to surpass the milestone.
"Twenty-four years in professional sport is a long-career and I'm truly grateful for every minute of my journey," Downie said.
"I'd like to thank both Mum and Dad who have supported me through every step of my career both in basketball and football for without their support, I wouldn't have had the career I've had.
"I'm grateful that the AFLW started earlier than initially planned, giving me the opportunity to live out my dream of playing footy. I’ll always remember playing in the very first AFLW match and it’s something I’ll treasure forever."
Meanwhile young Bulldog Brooke Vernon has decided to step away from football.
Initially drafted by Carlton with pick 26 in 2019, Vernon spent three years with the Blues and played three games before being delisted at the end of season six. Re-drafted by the Bulldogs in the 2022 draft, she failed to run out in the red, white and blue at AFLW level.
MADDY MCMAHON
GEELONG defensive stalwart Maddy McMahon has announced her retirement.
The 33-year-old finishes at the peak of her powers, named in the All-Australian squad of 40 for season six and earning third place in the Cats' best and fairest, before taking the second season of the year off for personal reasons.
Key back McMahon was signed as a basketball-playing rookie – including a stint in the WNBL playing for the AIS in her early 20s – ahead of Geelong's inaugural season, recording 32 games over four seasons on the active list.
Her ability to read the play, intercept and kick-start the Cats' rebound meant she was an integral part of their side.
McMahon gave birth to her third child in 2017, before picking up a footy for the first time in 2018 with the Cats' VFLW side.
"This decision has been really difficult, as I absolutely love playing football and I still feel capable of playing at this level, but ultimately I want to be able to spend more time with my family," McMahon said.
"Thank you to the Cats fans for your unwavering support, and for always showing up and cheering loud. I will never forget the feeling of goosebumps I got when running out through the banner on game day at GMHBA Stadium, hearing the crowd cheering so loud."
Geelong now have eight inaugural players remaining after its introduction in 2019: Julia Crockett-Grills, Kate Darby, Renee Garing, Amy McDonald, Meg McDonald, Nina Morrison, Georgie Rankin and Becky Webster.
DAYNA COX
DUAL premiership Crow Dayna Cox has announced her retirement from AFLW after 32 games.
Cox, who sat out season seven to focus on her work with the South Australian Police, is now ready to focus on her career outside of footy.
The final player signed to Adelaide's inaugural list, Cox made her debut in round one, 2017 and proved an integral part of the club's 2017 and 2019 premierships, but injury cruelled her final years in the AFLW.
Often tasked with the opposition's most dangerous small forward, Cox regularly played a self-sacrificing role, making her a popular teammate.
"I will be forever grateful and proud to be a part of the inaugural Adelaide Crows AFLW team," Cox said.
"Thank you to the club, the support staff, our supporters and sponsors, you give us the opportunity to play this great game and the success the club has shared thus far is a credit to all involved. To my teammates, the bonds we have made are irreplaceable and I can only hope I served you well as a defender who sometimes let the fire in her belly get a little out of hand.
"To my partner, my family, my friends, my work colleagues, thank you for your constant and unwavering support to allow me to live out a dream no one knew was possible."
MARIJANA RAJCIC
TWO-time Adelaide premiership defender Marijana Rajcic has announced her retirement after 50 games.
Drafted to the Crows with pick No.32 ahead of the 2018 season, she made the jump to footy after playing elite soccer for Adelaide United.
Rajcic quickly became known for her strength and intelligence down back and was a key part of Adelaide's 2019 and 2022 Grand Final victories.
"AFLW and the Adelaide Crows changed my life for the better seven years ago. It’s been an unbelievable journey with so many unforgettable memories and special friendships," Rajcic said.
"I am incredibly grateful to the club for taking a chance on a girl who played the round ball game, and to all of those who have played a part in my journey."
DAISY PEARCE
MELBOURNE captain Daisy Pearce has announced her retirement from the AFLW after 55 games at the highest level and countless more in the state league.
"I'm closing the chapter on my playing career with a very full heart, not just because we ticked the premiership box in the season just gone, but because of a career that I've loved and cherished," she said.
KATE MCCARTHY
HAWTHORN speedster Kate McCarthy has announced her retirement after 42 games across three clubs.
Taken with pick No.82 in the inaugural AFLW draft, McCarthy began her career with Brisbane, where she played in two Grand Finals and earned All-Australian selection.
McCarthy joined St Kilda in 2020 as the competition expanded, and shifted to Hawthorn for season seven, ultimately being part of three inaugural AFLW programs and kicking 18 goals in the process.
"As an inaugural AFLW player who has been playing at the highest level for seven seasons, I feel the time is right to pursue other interests," McCarthy said.
"I’m so grateful for the opportunities and friendships that footy has provided me. I want to thank my family, my partner, my amazing teammates and all the coaches and staff members at Hawthorn, St Kilda and Brisbane."
BRID STACK
BRID Stack has become the second Greater Western Sydney defender to hang up her boots after season seven, joining Tanya Hetherington in retirement.
Announcing the news via her column in the Irish Examiner, Stack said the decision "was very easy to make in the end".
Stack joined the Giants as a cross-code rookie from Cork, Ireland ahead of the 2021 season, but her debut was delayed after a nasty neck injury suffered in a pre-season practice match against Adelaide.
Having decided to stick with AFLW, Stack made her debut in round one of season six and played all but one game across this year's two seasons as an important rebounding defender.
Stack finishes her AFLW career with 19 games and one goal to her name, to go with her 11 All-Irelands and 2016 Ladies Footballer of the Year award from her impressive Gaelic career at home.
KRYSTAL SCOTT
GOLD Coast defender Krystal Scott has announced her retirement from AFLW.
Scott was signed to the Suns as a priority selection ahead of season seven and made her AFLW debut in the final round of the home and away fixture. Prior to joining Gold Coast, she spent two seasons with Brisbane in 2018 and 2019.
Before footy, Scott was an elite tennis player, spending two years in the USA playing on a college scholarship at Norfolk State University.
"I can't thank the Suns enough for the opportunity they have given to me to play in the AFLW and will always cherish my time at the club," Scott said.
"Thank you to all my teammates, staff and our loyal members and supporters for everything they have done to welcome me and my family to the Suns. While it was only a short journey, I'm confident in where the club is heading and look forward to cheering on from the stands in the future."
Scott joins Ashlee Atkins as retiring Suns this season.
COURTNEY WAKEFIELD
RICHMOND spearhead Courtney Wakefield has hung up the boots.
The 35-year-old has carved out a remarkable AFLW career, kicking 31 goals from 30 games while maintaining a farm in Top Hut, north of Mildura, as well as being a mum to Tilly and Sid.
Wakefield told her teammates of her intentions earlier this week during training, and was chaired off after Richmond's semi-final loss to North Melbourne.
She came upon the Tigers' radar at a VFLW trial day in Bendigo, just seven months after the birth of her second child.
Wakefield was named in the All-Australian squad earlier this week.
"It is always hard to walk away from something that you love and (while) knowing that I am still very capable of performing at the top level, but I have made a lot of sacrifices over the years," Wakefield said.
"We are lucky enough to have been able to create a very beautiful life prior to starting in the AFLW, and I am really excited for what lies ahead of us.
"This (football) journey has been remarkable; it has been character-building and life-changing; I have lived out a childhood dream.
"From day one, I guess I have been a part of making history which is very special, and the foundations laid will live on long after I am gone.
"It has obviously been challenging; being a mum and a wife, spending so much time away from my children. But the club and my teammates' support has been unwavering.
"I just hope I fulfilled my end of the bargain over the last four seasons."
ASHLEE ATKINS
GOLD Coast forward Ashlee Atkins has retired following 41 AFLW games at three clubs.
The 29-year-old West Australian reignited her career at the Suns in season seven, playing an additional five matches after being delisted by West Coast.
Initially drafted by Fremantle with pick No.26 (the fourth West Australian selection) in the 2017 NAB AFLW Draft, the East Fremantle product played 13 games in two seasons in the purple.
Atkins also had the honour of being the first Fremantle player – male or female – to kick a goal at Optus Stadium, having then put her career as a FIFO health and safety officer on pause to pursue AFLW.
She crossed to West Coast for its inaugural season, suiting up for 23 matches over a further three seasons.
"I'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," Atkins said.
"It's been wonderful coming over here. Everyone has been so supportive and it's really wound back the clock for me being here.
"As much as I wish I could hang on for the success to come, it's time for me to hang up the boots.
"I made the most of my opportunity. I didn't know how long I was going to get.
"It 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.
"To 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."
TANYA HETHERINGTON
GREATER Western Sydney stalwart Tanya Hetherington has retired after 46 AFLW matches, but her time at the Giants may not be done quite yet.
The 37-year-old has been a much-loved player at the Giants and in her pre-AFLW career at VWFL side Diamond Creek, where she captained the team and even coached while sidelined with a torn ACL.
Giants coach Cam Bernasconi indicated Hetherington may move into the coaching department at GWS now that her playing days are behind her.
"Tanya made the decision to retire during the week, and she's a fantastic person," Bernasconi said after the R10 win over Gold Coast.
"Not just a great servant as a player in the footy program, but what she's done for this young group off the field is probably even more important. Her genuine care for others around her – even in my first season as coach, she's helped me so much.
"Her footy IQ is so good. We said she deserves every bit of recognition she gets tonight and over the next couple of weeks.
"I don't think her journey within the Giants is finished. It might be as a player, but the value she can add in a coaching, leadership and mentoring sense going forward, she's going to still be an integral part, hopefully, of our footy program for the next number of years."
Hetherington made the move to Sydney ahead of the 2018 season, selected with pick No.37 in the 2017 NAB AFLW Draft, the Giants' second pick overall behind Jodie Hicks.
She's been a mainstay of the Giants' defence, providing leadership, direction and stability in a backline that was often under the pump.
RETIRING CLASS OF 2022 (PART TWO)
Kara Antonio (Fremantle)
Ashlee Atkins (Gold Coast)
Dayna Cox (Adelaide)
Alison Downie (Collingwood)
Jess Duffin (Hawthorn)
Tanya Hetherington (GWS)
Kate McCarthy (Hawthorn)
Maddy McMahon (Geelong)
Elise O'Dea (Carlton)
Daisy Pearce (Melbourne)
Marijana Rajcic (Adelaide)
Krystal Scott (Gold Coast)
Brid Stack (GWS)
Courtney Wakefield (Richmond)
