Collingwood midfielder Ebony O’Dea and forward Bella Smith have both informed the club of their decision to explore opportunities away from the Pies ahead of the upcoming AFL Women’s season.

O’Dea is set to return to her home state of South Australia, whilst Smith is looking for an opportunity with an expansion club.

O’Dea was drafted to the Pies with pick 89 in the 2019 national draft. The 23-year-old midfielder went on to make 21 appearances in the black and white which included one goal.

Smith will depart after two seasons as a Magpie having been drafted by the club as a free agent in 2020.

Spending time in the forward line as well as the ruck, Smith went on to play 10 games in the black and white including the 2022 qualifying final against Brisbane.

Collingwood Head of Women’s Football Jess Burger said the club respects the pair’s decision to seek opportunity elsewhere and wished them all the best for their future football endeavours.

“Now that the competition enters its final stage with the introduction of all AFL teams into the AFLW competition, many players that have previously relocated to play at the elite level will seek a return home. We respect both ‘Ebs’ and Bella’s decision to look for a new opportunity away from Collingwood,” Burger said.

“Ebs has shown great resilience in her AFLW journey so far. She has demonstrated high standards both on and off the field and has been determined to be the best footballer that she can”.

“Bella has put a great deal of time and effort into refining her craft across all areas of the ground while at the Pies. She has a bright career ahead of her and we look forward to watching her future development.

In other contract news, the club has informed cross code rookie Imogen Purcell that she will not be offered a new contract for the upcoming season.

Purcell was drafted to the Pies as a rookie in 2020 having made the switch to football from rowing. The 23-year-old did not play an AFLW game during her time at the AIA Centre.

Burger thanked Purcell for her contribution to the program.

“It has been wonderful to watch ‘Immy’ apply and challenge herself within our football program over these past two seasons. We’ve enjoyed watching her progress during her time with both our AFLW and VFLW programs.   

“Being the athlete that she is, we’re all excited to see what the future has in store for her.”