PREMIERSHIP player Kirsten McLeod has retired after eight seasons at the Western Bulldogs.
A foundation player, McLeod kicked a goal in the club's 2018 Grand Final win and finishes her career with 25 goals from 39 AFLW games.
Her career stagnated due to a series of concussions, which ultimately played a role in her decision to retire at the age of 29.
"My footy journey was far from a smooth one, but I am very grateful for the opportunity that I was given to be a part of this great club," she said.
"The decision to step away from football wasn't easy but after having extensive discussions with the medical team and neurologists I’ve decided it's best to put my health first.
"Thank you to everyone staff, players, family, friends and of course the supporters.
"I'll cherish all the memories that I've had at this club especially the 2018 Premiership. If anyone needs me, I'll be playing touch footy."
Ailish Considine
TWO-TIME premiership player Ailish Considine has retired after six seasons at two clubs.
Considine played just one game for North Melbourne this year after spending the bulk of her career at Adelaide.
She played 26 games in five seasons at the Crows and featured in their 2019 and 2022 premierships.
A Gaelic footballer from Clare, Considine originally landed in Australia in 2019.
"It's no easy feat to move to the other side of the world to play a new sport, and we congratulate Ailish on her career and what she has achieved," North head of women's football, Nathan Hrovat, said.
"While she was only a Roo for a small part of her AFLW journey, we thank Ailish for her contribution to our program and wish her the best in the next chapter of her life."
Danielle Marshall
AMERICAN pioneer Danielle Marshall has announced her retirement from the AFLW after 23 games for two clubs.
Signed as an international rookie in 2020, Marshall played 11 AFLW games for the Western Bulldogs before moving to Essendon, where she played a further 12 games at the top level and was part of the club's 2022 VFL flag.
"Obviously, it's never easy to step away from playing a sport you love. Even harder is stepping a distance away from all the people involved," Marshall said.
"My journey in this sport has been made possible by so many people who believed in me. I couldn't possibly thank them all. From the ones who brought me here and hosted me to the coaches and players I learned from and grew with.
"And special thanks to my husband, Ryan, who was and is there supporting me in everything I do.
"Essendon has been an amazing place to be, and I'm so honoured to have been part of its first two seasons. Thanks to the Club for believing in me and providing such a great culture of growth for women's football.
"It would be remiss of me not to thank the Bulldogs for taking a chance on an American just new to the sport. So, thanks to them for giving me my first shot.
"Footy will always hold a special place in my heart, and I'll be around cheering and supporting my teammates in a new role as a fan."
Annalyse Lister
GREATER Western Sydney veteran Annalyse Lister has announced her retirement after 37 games in five seasons.
A former hockey player, made her AFLW debut as a mature-aged player after playing in Darebin's 2017 VFLW Premiership team.
"Annalyse has contributed a huge amount to our club both on and off the field in her time as a GIANT," Giants EGM Briana Harvey said.
"She is a quality person and the ultimate professional, who got the most out of herself across her entire career.
"We congratulate Annalyse and wish her all the best for the next chapter of her life."
Phoebe Monahan
BRISBANE premiership defender Phoebe Monahan has announced her retirement after 60 AFLW games over six seasons at three clubs.
The 30-year-old finished her career on a high after helping the Lions to victory over North Melbourne in the Grand Final earlier in December.
Monahan was originally drafted by Greater Western Sydney with pick 39 in 2017 before joining Richmond and then Brisbane, where she played every game available including seven finals and two Grand Finals.
"Ultimately, I feel this is the right time for me to focus on the next chapter of my journey, hanging up the footy boots for full time tradie boots," she said.
"I can't speak highly enough of the club, the coaches, the medical and performance staff, and ultimately the girls, they have all taken my AFLW experience to a whole new level both on and off the field.
"I came to them as a banished Tiger and get to leave as a premiership Lion.
"I'm excited to get stuck into my trade as a carpenter, and jump back into the grind of CrossFit, whilst having some time to smell the roses and travel around the sunny state a bit more before I move back home down south."
Lisa Whiteley and Yvonne Bonner
ADELAIDE duo Lisa Whiteley and Yvonne Bonner have announced their retirements.
Whiteley retires after 25 AFLW games, including 23 for the Crows after moving from Greater Western Sydney.
The 30-year-old played two games for Adelaide this year.
"It was a privilege to play for the Crows," Whiteley said.
"I made some great connections with some amazing people, and it was great to make the most of my footy career at such a great club."
Bonner joined Adelaide from Ireland this season and played 10 games, kicking six goals.
The forward previously featured for the Giants 11 times across 2019 and 2020.
"I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to return to Australia and play another season of AFLW," Bonner said.
"It was such a great experience for me and my family and we are going to miss all the management, staff and girls who made us feel so welcome."
Aimee Schmidt and Emma Humphries
WEST Coast forward Aimee Schmidt and wing Emma Humphries have retired.
Schmidt played 23 games for Greater Western Sydney before joining the Eagles as a free agent ahead of the 2022 season.
She was the Eagles' leading goalkicker in both seasons six and seven, booting seven and five goals respectively.
"Aimee has spent eight seasons in the League, starting out in the inaugural AFLW season with GWS, and then coming home to WA and sharing her knowledge and experience with our developing Eagles side," West Coast head of women's football Michelle Cowan said.
"For the past three seasons, Aimee has had a positive impact on the team, both on and off the field, and has been competitive aerially and at ground level in our forward half.
"We congratulate her on a great career and wish her all the best for the future and her new chapter."
Humphries started her AFLW career at Melbourne before joining North Melbourne, moving to West Coast for season seven.
She played 13 games for the Eagles, including three this season.
"Even before entering the AFLW competition, Emma had made an impression, and was drafted at pick seven for the 2015 AFL exhibition games," Cowan said.
"Emma has been a great contributor in the League and at our club, playing at the highest level for six seasons, with the last two in the blue and gold.
"We congratulate Emma on her career and wish her all the very best in retirement."
Georgina Fowler
MELBOURNE'S Georgina Fowler has decided to step away from the game.
Fowler, 19, joined the Demons earlier this year but didn't play a game for Melbourne, having previously featured three times for Greater Western Sydney.
The teenager has opted to step away from football to focus on her life outside the game.
"I've struggled to separate my value as a player from my value as a person," Fowler wrote in a post on social media.
"This year, Mick (Stinear, Dees coach) taught me a valuable lesson – that people matter. While it may be a more self-centred interpretation than what he was intending, I've realised that Georgie as a person matters more than Georgie as a footballer.
"So, I've made the decision to step away from the game to focus on becoming someone I believe in and can be proud of."
Catherine Brown
HAWTHORN defender Catherine Brown has announced her retirement from AFLW effective immediately after two seasons with the Hawks.
The 29-year-old joined the club ahead of its inaugural AFLW season and went on to play every game in 2022.
Following a strong off-season, Brown was then elevated to Hawthorn's leadership group in 2023.
She played six games this season before rupturing her ACL in the lead-up to Hawthorn’s round 7 win over Sydney.
She previously spent four seasons at A-League Women's side Canberra United.
"Having overcome so much adversity and injury setbacks, it's been a privilege to make it as far as I did in AFLW," Brown said.
"I wouldn't be where I am without my family, teammates, coaches, support staff and of course, the amazing members and fans we have at the Hawks.
"I thank everyone who supported me throughout my two seasons in the brown and gold and can't wait to watch what this team produces in years to come."
Phoebe McWilliams
CARLTON forward Phoebe McWilliams has called time after a seven-year, three-club career that started in round one of the AFLW's debut season.
McWilliams kicked Greater Western Sydney's first-ever goal in the Giants' 2017 opening-round loss to Adelaide, going on to be the club's leading goalkicker in its inaugural season.
The exciting forward played 14 games with the Giants before moving home to Victoria and racking up 31 appearances for Geelong from 2019 to 2022, then heading to Carlton for the start of season seven.
McWilliams fractured the navicular bone in her foot after four games with the Blues but returned this season to notch her 50th senior outing in round two.
"Everyone involved at the club, including the Carlton fans are amazing and have embraced me wholeheartedly," McWilliams told the club website on Thursday.
"The club has been immensely supportive during my time here, especially the medical and S&C team for all the hours they put into helping me during my rehab process last year.
"My career within the AFLW has been unforgettable. Being recruited as a 31-year-old I never thought I would play eight seasons at three amazing clubs. I am eternally grateful to those who have played a part in my 17-year football journey including eight years in the AFLW."
Tamara Luke
HAWTHORN veteran Tamara Luke will retire after Saturday's clash against Geelong.
Luke, 35, will play her 15th and final AFLW game when the Hawks face the Cats at GMHBA Stadium.
She played her first AFLW game for St Kilda in 2020 and had two seasons with the Saints before joining the Hawks ahead of season seven.
"As a young netball player from the country, it has been a dream come true to play AFLW for two fantastic teams in St Kilda and Hawthorn," Luke said.
"I'd like to thank everyone who supported me in my journey, including teammates, coaches, staff, members and fans."
Hawks general manager of football operations Max Bailey said: "Tam will forever be an inaugural Hawk and an inaugural leadership group member.
"She has epitomised our club values during her time here, making her a much-loved teammate and role model.
"We thank her for her contribution to the brown and gold and wish her all the best for her next chapter."
Jess Sedunary
WEST Coast defender Jess Sedunary has announced her retirement after playing 35 games across six seasons.
Sedunary joined the Eagles in 2022 ahead of season seven, having previously played for Adelaide (2017-2019), where she was part of the premiership-winning side in 2017, St Kilda in 2020 and later returning to Adelaide in 2021 before heading west.
The 32-year-old was elevated into the Eagles’ leadership group ahead of the 2023 season and played an important role for her young and developing teammates.
"It's very emotional, I always knew it would be," Sedunary said.
"It's no different to the start of my career, I can't believe this happened and I'm just super grateful."
Sedunary will remain involved in the football world, continuing her work in the Eagles' Community Department.
"Knowing where the girls are going and how talented some of the young girls are, I put in a lot of work to help guide them so I'm really looking forward to being able to watch on and see what they do and what the team does and be a part of that in any way that I can," Sedunary said.
"I'm excited, my passion is really in helping and coaching and guiding the people around me so I’m really looking forward to still being part of the footy environment."
Renee Garing
RENEE Garing has announced her retirement after seven seasons at Geelong.
The midfielder, who sat out the 2022 season before giving birth to son Parker, returned to match fitness in season seven.
Garing will play her 30th AFLW match on the weekend, and may play more before she hangs up the boots depending on the Cats' finals run.
“Despite being a Geelong supporter growing up, I could never have dreamt of playing for the Cats because it wasn’t a possibility at that point in time. I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to pull on the Hoops and pave the way for future generations of young girls that can now dream of playing football at the elite level,” Garing said.
“From the very beginning, I have felt right at home at Geelong, from the early days of learning the fundamentals of the game, to being supported throughout my pregnancy journey with Parker, and my return to playing AFLW. Through all aspects of my journey, I couldn’t have asked for a better environment to help me to develop and thrive as an athlete and a mum.
“I would like to thank everyone that has played a role in my football journey, in particular my husband Tony, my son Parker and our parents for their ongoing support and encouragement.”
Jess Wuetschner
JESS Wuetschner will retire at the end of the season after eight seasons in the AFLW.
The Essendon forward, who played 38 games across six seasons at Brisbane before joining the Bombers ahead of their inaugural season said the timing was right.
“I’ve been playing football for 15 straight years, and I think now is a good opportunity to put that chapter behind me in a playing sense,” Wuetschner said.
“It hasn’t been an easy ride, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. There’s something special about this club, and I’m incredibly grateful for (the opportunity to play at Essendon).
“We’ve created a really good bond, especially this year. You’re all really wonderful people and I’m super excited to watch your journeys going forward."
Wuetschner won a premiership with the Lions in 2021 and was named in the 2018 All-Australian side.
Erin Phillips
THREE-TIME premiership player and dual competition best and fairest winner Erin Phillips has announced her retirement from the AFLW.
The Port Adelaide captain played 46 games at Adelaide, where she won three premierships, before moving to Port Adelaide ahead of its inaugural season in season seven, 2022.
One of the game's most decorated players, Phillips captained the Power for two seasons.
Read the full story here.
Richelle Cranston
WESTERN Bulldogs forward Richelle Cranston will retire from AFLW after Saturday's clash against North Melbourne.
Cranston, 34, is set to play her 60th and last AFLW game, having previously represented Melbourne and Geelong.
A two-time leading goalkicker with the Cats, Cranston has endured health issues, contributing to her decision to retire.
"It's definitely time – health-wise it's important to put that first and focus on my health before footy," she said.
"Getting through this year was a struggle to be honest, so to play a few games was awesome, and getting to run out this weekend with the girls will be amazing, especially at home."
Cranston played 13 games for the Demons before joining the Cats, where she spent three seasons.
She featured 21 times for the Bulldogs in the two seasons in 2022 and Saturday's clash against the Kangaroos will mark her fifth outing of this campaign.
"'Rocky' is a much-loved teammate and has brought so much to the club during her three seasons as a Bulldog," the club's executive director of football Chris Grant said.
"The way she has gone about this season demonstrates her professionalism and resilience, and willingness to give her all for the team.
"She will be missed by the entire program and club, but will always be welcome at VU Whitten Oval.
"We look forward to celebrating her career in Pride Round this weekend and wish her all the best for the future."
Tegan Cunningham
TEGAN Cunningham has announced her retirement from AFLW, becoming the second Hawthorn player in a week to call it a day.
Cunningham, 35, told her teammates on Tuesday that this season would be her last, having played 40 games for Melbourne and the Hawks over five seasons.
She follows Akec Makur Chuot, who announced she would be calling it quits last week.
The versatile Cunningham joined the Hawks ahead of their inaugural AFLW season in 2022, missing just two games in her first year in brown and gold while averaging six disposals, two marks and two tackles as a forward, defender and ruck.
She played 32 games at the Demons and was twice the club's leading goalkicker in 2018 and 2019.
Cunningham also had a distinguished WNBL career spanning across seven seasons, which included winning a championship with the Dandenong Rangers in 2012.
"I'll always look back fondly on my time in the AFLW, I was very lucky to play for two great clubs in Hawthorn and Melbourne," Cunningham said.
"I'd like to thank all my teammates and coaches over the journey for helping me play at the highest level, and of course our members and fans for cheering me along."
Akec Makur Chuot
HAWTHORN veteran Akec Makur Chuot has called time on her career and will hang up the boots at the end of the season.
Originally drafted by Fremantle with pick No.139 in 2016, the skilled utility went on to play 38 games for the Dockers, Richmond and Hawthorn over six seasons.
After beginning her career as a defender, Makur Chuot flourished following a transition to a new position on the wing when she landed at the Hawks ahead of season seven.
A trailblazer in the women's game, Makur Chuot's was the first South Sudanese woman to play AFLW.
The 31-year-old looked back fondly on her time in the game.
"It has been an honour to play 38 AFLW games for three amazing clubs," Makur Chuot said.
"As a young girl living in a refugee camp in Kenya, I could have never imagined having the career that I've had.
"Over my six seasons in the competition, I have made lifelong friends and memories on and off the field.
"I'd like to thank Fremantle, Richmond and Hawthorn for giving me a chance to live out my dreams and support me throughout my journey."
Hawthorn footy ops manager Max Bailey thanked Makur Chuot for her contribution to the brown and gold.
"We’re going to miss having Akec around the club," Bailey said.
"She is a larger-than-life character, who brought immense positivity with everything she did.
"We thank her for her contribution to our club and we wish her all the best with what comes next."
RETIRING CLASS OF 2023
Akec Makur Chuot
Tegan Cunningham
Richelle Cranston
Erin Phillips
Jess Wuetschner
Renee Garing
Jess Sedunary
Phoebe McWilliams
Tamara Luke
Catherine Brown
Georgina Fowler
Aimee Schmidt
Emma Humphries
Lisa Whiteley
Yvonne Bonner
