STAR Collingwood defender Ash Brazill has opted to sit out the remainder of the NAB AFLW season.

Brazill has not yet featured for the Pies this year, having represented Australia in netball's Quad Series in the United Kingdom, and is eager to continue to push her claim for selection in the Commonwealth Games later this year.

The 32-year-old has played 16 games for the Pies since 2018, battling a torn ACL along the way, but at her best, she is a strong and dynamic key back, and was named an All-Australian in 2019.

Since playing AFLW, Brazill's netball form (also playing for Collingwood in the Super Netball league) has improved markedly, forcing her way back into the national side as a wing defence.

"While both Ash and the club are disappointed to not see her take to the field this season, we understand and support her decision to ensure she can best prepare and manage her body in a Commonwealth Games year," Collingwood's head of women's football Jess Burger said.

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"We wish her all the best for the upcoming Super Netball season and for the pursuit of future international duties."

Brazill is contracted for the 2023 AFLW season.

"My body didn't pull up as well as I wanted it to coming home from England and I need to get my body in the best shape possible to try and play for Australia and make that Commonwealth Games team," Brazill said.

"It breaks my heart as (this team) means the absolute world to me and I know I wouldn't have this Diamonds opportunity if it wasn’t for you all. 

"I remember being a five-year-old kid playing with teddy bears doing signatures, pretending I'd won a medal at the Commonwealth Games, and I really don't want to let that little five-year-old down.

"As much as I'm letting [the team] down and I feel selfish picking this, I'm not leaving and I'll still be here for trainings and games cheering you on."

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