The AFLW 2020 season didn’t finish in the way we would’ve all hoped, but nevertheless it is carrying on as planned for the 2021 season.
From the handful of games played in 2020 best and fairest awards were presented at each club with GWS Giants player Jess Dal Pos achieving the best position of former YJFL players coming in at 4th place on the Giants count. Congratulations to Ivanhoe Junior’s Jess Dal Pos.
The annual trade period has also now come and gone and with 4 of the 22 listed former YJFL players moving homes.
Firstly, is Jayde Van Dyk who has made the move from Princes Park to Moorabbin to join the Saints. Former player of now defunct club Seville, Jayde only managed one game in the 2020 season. Getting 11 disposals in that one game she showed great potential, but she unfortunately gathered an injury that put her out of round 2 and the subsequent season.
In a St Kilda website article, Head of Women’s Football Jamie Cox said Van Dyk was an important pick up for the young and exciting Saints. “Jayde is a really smart defender who we are really pleased to bring to the St Kilda Football Club,” he said. “Jayde is a quality footballer and person who offers exactly that, and we are thrilled to be welcoming her to RSEA Park”
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The next to make her move is Katherine Smith, formally of the Whitehorse Colts. From the city of Melbourne up to the west of Sydney to join the Giants, Katherine will hope to have a smooth sailing season after her knee injury prior to Christmas.
She was involved in a three-way trade involving her former club Melbourne, new club GWS and also Adelaide.
GIANTS Head of Academies and AFLW Briana Harvey said on the Giants website; “We’re thrilled to have Katherine join the club on a two-year deal,” she said. “She’s a versatile player who can play as a defender or inside-mid and she brings great leadership skills. “She’s coming off an ACL injury but her rehabilitation is going really well and she’ll be looking to return to the field in GIANTS colours in 2021.”
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Former Dee Maddy Guerin has made the move to Princes Park in the trade period. Maddy was unfortunately hampered with a serious knee injury that put her out the 2020 season. But with a whole year of recovery and a new scene in 2021 Maddy is a young gun ready to triumph at the Blues.
Formally of the Fitzroy Junior Football Club, Maddy is no stranger to Princes Park, having attended Princes Hill Secondary College and being at the first ever AFLW game played at Princes Park. Maddy said in a Carlton news article “It brings back a lot of good memories and I can’t believe that I’ve come full circle. It’s going to be pretty exciting hanging around Carlton and Princes Hill a lot more.”
Welcome Maddy! 🤝 Until our newest blue gets to run through a banner, this homemade sign will do!#OwnTheFuture pic.twitter.com/Q03ro6s0Q6 — Carlton Women's (@carltonfc_w) August 6, 2020
Finally, is a young player formally of the Camberwell Sharks and Kew Rovers, Katie Lynch. After being drafted in 2018, Lynch has played seven games in the last two seasons where she has showed her ability at both ends of the ground and even in the middle.
Bulldogs’ AFLW Head of List Management and Recruiting, Mick Sandry said of Katie’s welcome to the Bulldogs that “Katie is a player we’ve had keen interest in since her draft year. To be able to bring her onto our list after a couple of seasons in the AFLW is a great result.” “Her versatility, ability to read the ball in the air and strong marking means we are adding a dynamic player to our list. “Katie is a talented young footballer, and we are looking forward to her joining the Club.”
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