AFL Barwon Division 1 best-and-fairest Isabella Hill is set to make her VFLW debut in Geelong’s season-opener against Carlton at Deakin University on Saturday.
Hill earned an invite to do a pre-season with the Cats after claiming the local award in her first season with Grovedale following her arrival from Ballarat.
She has been joined on the final primary list of 18 by best-and-fairest runner-up Emily Ramsay.
Ramsay, named in the 2021 AFL Barwon Team of the Year, returns to the Cats after two years away. She played 26 games between 2017-19.
Geelong Falcons premiership player Sophie Dineen (Barwon Heads) has also made the cut.
“All three of them have slotted in really well,” Bruce said.
“We think all of them will have really good seasons for us.”
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Former AFLW-listed Cats Maddie Boyd, Mia Skinner and Elise Coventry, will also pull on the Hoops across the 14-round home-and-away season.
There are nine players on the development list, of which six are current Geelong Falcons, including captain Charlotte Simpson, star forward Lizzie Dowling, and ruck Keeley Hardingham.
The Cats have also provided an opportunity to star netballer Mel Bragg.
Bragg has chosen to head down the football path after being released by Collingwood’s Super Netball team.
Among the departures are German star Theresia Meissner, who will play in Western Australia this year, and former captain Michelle Fedele.
Fedele, whose 2021 season was prematurely ended by injury, has retired.
“I had some conversations with her to see if I could talk her around to playing,” Bruce said.
“But, she’s really settled with what she’s doing away from footy.”
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Bruce said Geelong are keen to get the season started after COVID-19 scuppered plans for last year’s grand final meeting with Collingwood.
“We’ve had a different pre-season with some different players within the group,” he said.
“But also the ups and downs of COVID, and girls having to step away for a short period of time.
“But, we’ve been really consistent over the past few weeks, and we’re looking forward to Round 1 against the Blues on Saturday afternoon.”
Twitter: @tom_king79
2022 GEELONG VFLW SQUAD
PRIMARY LIST
Jamie Woollett – North Geelong
Breanna Pratt – Geelong West Giants
Emily Ramsay – Geelong Amateur
Mia Skinner – Geelong West Giants
Isabella Hill – Grovedale
Sachi Degiacomi – Geelong Amateur
Maddie Boyd – Geelong West Giants
Annie Haigh – St Marys
Tamara Smith – Newtown & Chilwell
Elise Coventry – Geelong Amateur
Sophie Dineen – Barwon Heads
Taylah Nelson – Grovedale
Chloe Leonardi – St Mary”s
Brooke Wells – Newtown & Chilwell
Paige Sheppard – Geelong West Giants
Breanna Beckley – St Mary’s
Lujeyn Al-Huneidi – Redan
Analea McKee- Geelong Amateur/Geelong Falcons
DEVELOPMENT LIST
Charlotte Simpson – St Joseph’s/Geelong Falcons
Melissa Bragg – TBC
Ava McKeegan – Geelong Amateur
Mia Featherston – Colac Imperials/Geelong Falcons
Ash van Loon – St Mary’s/Geelong Falcons
Mia van Dyke – St Mary’s/Geelong Falcons
Lizzie Dowling – St Mary’s/Geelong Falcons
Keeley Hardingham – Colac Imperials/Geelong Falcons
Kalania Scoullar – GWV Rebels
