Veteran Geelong duo Kate Darby and Shelley Scott have joined captain Meghan McDonald in announcing their retirements.
Darby, who was named as a finalist in the Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award yesterday, will get a farewell game in Saturday night’s final round clash with Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium.
However, Scott won’t get the chance to pull on the Hoops for one last time against her former club after battling a season-long calf injury.
Darby played two games with Carlton in the inaugural AFLW season before being delisted and joining Geelong’s fledgling VFLW program.
She earned a spot on the Cats’ AFLW list for its entry into the competition in 2019, playing ten games across the first two seasons.
Darby missed the 2021 season after falling pregnant and returned as a train-on partner for the first of the 2022 seasons.
When fellow inaugural player Renee Garing announced her pregnancy, Darby was elevated to the list as a replacement player and returned to the primary list the following season.
Darby, who will finish on 59 AFLW games, and Garing were the first female players honoured with life membership of Geelong last year.
She has been recognised with the club’s Carter Family Community Champion award for her work in the community, including with Bell Park’s All-Abilities team.
“I’ve enjoyed my time in the AFLW, getting to experience it from the very beginning and seeing it continue to grow and grow, with exciting new talent coming through all the time,” Darby said.
“After playing football as a kid, I never dreamed I’d be able to play at the elite level, but am grateful I got my opportunity with Carlton when the AFLW first started. To be able to then build a career at Geelong, with all the people I’ve met along the way – players, coaches, staff and fans – has been an incredible journey, and one I’ve really enjoyed.
“It’s also been so special these past four years to be able to share that journey with my daughter, Ella, who has spent so much time at the club, coming to games, training and being involved with so much of my footy story.
“I want to thank the Club for the way it has supported me as a person and a footballer, and also thank my teammates, coaches and the staff at the Club for making it such an incredible part of my life.”
Scott, a talented local netballer who won a Geelong Football Netball League A-grade best-and-fairest with Colac, was selected by Melbourne in the inaugural AFLW Draft in 2016 from VFLW club VU Western Spurs.
She played 49 games for the Demons, winning the best-and-fairest in 2020, and was co-captain of the club when Daisy Pearce was on maternity leave in 2019.
Scott, who works as a dairy farmer, was traded to Geelong ahead of Season 7, and played 28 games and kicked 21 goals in the Hoops.
“I have loved my time in the AFLW at both Melbourne and Geelong, and am grateful I was able to be there for the first 10 seasons of the competition,” Scott said.
“It has been great to see the growth of the league from the very beginning to where it is now, and I’ve made great friends along the way.
“I feel the time is right now to hang up my boots and say thanks to both clubs, all the players, staff and supporters, for an enjoyable career in the AFLW.”
Coach Dan Lowther paid tribute to both players.
“Kate has been an excellent player and brilliant mentor to have involved in our AFLW program,” Lowther said.
“Her determination, courage and selflessness on and off the field has set an excellent example for her teammates, and we know what a significant role she has played in the community as a representative of the club, and also in her coaching pursuits.
“Kate has had such a positive impact on everyone who’s been fortunate enough to cross paths with her in our club, and we’re all the better for having had her in the Hoops.
“Shelley has brought fantastic leadership and made a great contribution to our AFLW program.
“She joined our program when our playing list was younger and looking to take the next step up in the competition, and her mentorship and professionalism was invaluable to our group, not to mention the strong impact she had on field.”
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