Hannah Priest will lead St Kilda as sole captain for a second consecutive season as part of the club’s four-woman leadership group for AFLW Season 7.

Priest will be supported by co-vice-captains Kate Shierlaw and Bianca Jakobsson, who has been elevated to the role following her Best & Fairest campaign.

Shierlaw has been a member of St Kilda’s leadership group since its inaugural year, while last season was Jakobsson’s first in an official leadership capacity.  

All-Australian recruit Nicola Stevens rounds out the leadership team for the upcoming season, receiving overwhelming support from the playing group despite her recent arrival at RSEA Park. 

Stevens’ experience in the AFLW and three seasons as a member of Carlton’s leadership group will add further depth to the club’s already established crop of leaders. 

“We’re extremely proud to have Hannah at the helm again," Head of AFLW Tessie McManus said.

“Kate, Bianca and Nicola round-out our strong leadership team, each of them having proven their ability to influence and drive our group forward. We look forward to seeing their positive impact both on and off the field.”

St Kilda will also feature an Emerging Leaders Group for Season 7; a program implemented at the beginning of last season to accelerate the development of the club’s young and aspiring leaders.

Rosie Dillon, Nicola Xenos and Tarni White will again form part of the contingent, joining newcomers Molly McDonald, Alice Burke and first-year Saint/Southern Saints vice-captain Hannah Stuart.

“We’re really pleased to see growth within our Emerging Leaders Group,” McManus said.

“Molly, Alice and Hannah are welcome additions alongside Rosie, Nicola and Tarni and we look forward to seeing them all continue to develop in this area.”