Fremantle have pulled an AFLW captaincy shock, naming Ange Stannett as their new skipper despite her being ruled out for the season with a knee injury.
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Stannett's surprise elevation was revealed on Wednesday after a vote was held involving the playing and coaching group.
The 27-year-old tore the anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee in May, ruling her out of the entire season.
Fremantle's new-look six-player leadership group for the season - which gets under way in the last week of August - will feature three vice-captains: former skipper Hayley Miller, key forward Aine Tighe and defender Laura Pugh.
All-Australian defender Emma O'Driscoll and new recruit Ash Brazill join the group, while former member Gabby O'Sullivan opted not to nominate.
Stannett was proud to be voted in as captain by her peers in what she acknowledged were unusual circumstances given her injury.
"I'm extremely honoured to be the third women's captain of this club, and a bit taken aback to be honest, given my personal circumstances," Stannett said in a statement.
"It doesn't change the way you show up for the group, but it is going to mean it will look a bit different, and we'll be leaning on our other leaders and the entire group.
"I am so excited for how it is looking for 2024 and I'm very excited with the group we've put together, I can't wait to get to work with all the girls."
Stannett's captaincy role will be different to the norm given she won't be able to lead on the field.
"It's going to be unique, and it's probably something I'm yet to fully be comfortable with ... being the sort of person that likes to get my hands dirty," Stannett said.
"(However) one thing I've learned over the last few weeks in particular, going through this injury, is that it's how you choose to show up and how you choose to contribute to the group regardless of your own circumstances.
"So, although it will look different for me this year on game day, I'll be on the sidelines helping coach from the bench, and I take a lot of comfort knowing I've got a fantastic leadership group alongside me."
Stannett praised her predecessor Miller.
"Hayley's been massive in shaping me as a leader," she said.
"I've worked alongside Hayley for many years, and I've seen the way she goes about it.
"She's the ultimate professional, she sets the standards, and we know what to expect from her.
"These are qualities that I would love to be able to demonstrate for the group as well."
Australian Associated Press
