Steph Chiocci and Brianna Davey have been re-appointed as co-captains of Collingwood for season seven of the AFLW Competition.
The pair will be supported by Collingwood foundation players Brittany Bonnici and Ruby Schleicher as vice-captains, while Chloe Molloy and Lauren Butler will round out the leadership group for the upcoming season.
As the Pies’ inaugural skipper, Chiocci's re-appointment makes her the longest-serving AFLW captain alongside the Adelaide Crows’ Chelsea Randall.
This will be Davey’s third season as captain alongside Chiocci.
The 2021 AFLW Best and Fairest will be sidelined this season after sustaining an ACL injury in round one last season.
Schleicher and Bonnici will continue as vice-captains having been appointed into the roles for the AFLW season earlier this year.
Schleicher is a two-time All Australian and is also a dual runner-up winner of the Club’s Best and Fairest Award.
The 24-year-old provided a consistent presence down back last season with the second highest ranking in marks (54) and intercept possessions (79) in the league.
A hard-hitting midfielder, Bonnici has finished inside the top five in the Club’s best and fairest count over the past four years and was also rewarded with her first All-Australian blazer in 2021.
The 25-year-old also served as a leader of the side throughout the 2018 and 2019 seasons.
Before suffering an ACL injury last season, Bonnici had never missed a game for the Pies since the inaugural AFLW match in 2017.
Molloy and Butler will be new additions to the leadership group this season.
Molloy was drafted to Collingwood at Pick 3 in the 2017 AFLW Draft and went on to be crowned the 2018 AFLW Rising Star as well as being awarded Collingwood’s Best and Fairest in her debut season.
The 24-year-old has since earned two All Australian selections and was also the Pies’ leading goal kicker last season.
Gearing up for her fifth season in the black and white, Butler consistently provides impact down back.
The 21-years-old rounded out the top five for Collingwood’s 2022 Best and Fairest Award and was also voted by her peers as the Players’ Player earlier this year.
Collingwood’s Head of Women’s Football Jess Burger said she has great confidence in this leadership group to drive and set elite standards for the entire program.
“We are thrilled to again have Steph and Bri lead our program as captains for the upcoming AFLW season,” Burger said.
“Both players consistently demonstrate outstanding leadership qualities and having them continue in their roles also provides great stability for our program.
“Despite not physically being on the field this season, Bri is a natural leader who will continue to set high standards and drive this group even if it is from the sidelines.
“Ruby and Brit took their leadership of this group to a new level this year and we’re looking forward to seeing them continue to support and lead this group.
“We’re also pleased to reward Lauren and Chloe with official leadership positions this season. The pair have stepped up over recent seasons and we’re looking forward to seeing them continue to impact on and off the field in their new roles.”
Collingwood will kick off the seventh season of the AFLW in the season opener against Carlton on August 25 at Ikon Park.
Collingwood AFLW Leadership Group – season seven
Co-Captains: Bri Davey & Steph Chiocci
Vice Captains: Brittany Bonnici & Ruby Schleicher
Leaders: Chloe Molloy & Lauren Butler
