BRISBANE has finally secured a much-needed win in the AFLW's priority signing period (PSP), staving off Hawthorn's expansion interest in experienced premiership midfielder Cathy Svarc.
The Hawks notched a significant statement of their intent earlier this week, landing commitments from the Lions' former League best and fairest Emily Bates and their talented forward Greta Bodey to join as PSP recruits.
Hawthorn had also attempted to lure Svarc to Victoria, where she would have joined her 2021 premiership teammates, but the 31-year-old informed interested clubs on Friday that she would remain in Queensland.
As revealed by womens.afl on Tuesday, Svarc was one of three Brisbane players – alongside both Bates and Bodey – who was weighing up a significant offer to join Bec Goddard's Hawthorn under PSP rules.
She also had interest from fellow Victorian expansion side Essendon, as well as Carlton, following another promising campaign in season seven where she averaged 11.1 disposals and 9.3 tackles per match.
Brisbane has been battling once again to ward off expansion interest its successful premiership talent, given the Lions are able to lose up to five players under the AFLW's new PSP rules having finished in the top-four last season.
Bates and Bodey have already joined Hawthorn, while reigning AFLW leading goalkicker Jesse Wardlaw is poised to take up a significant offer at St Kilda where she will join the club during the upcoming sign and trade period that starts on March 10.
