St Kilda’s No. 24 AFLW guernsey has returned its original and sole owner after two seasons, with Clara Fitzpatrick reclaiming the number ahead of Season 7.
The Irish recruit from County Down wore the No. 24 in the Saints’ inaugural season in 2020 before complications in her VISA for Permanent Residency – compounded by COVID-19 – forced her to the inactive list for the following year.
Fitzpatrick was delisted at the end of 2021 after rupturing her ACL while playing Gaelic Football in her native Ireland, but has since returned to RSEA Park to fill her old locker once again.
The No. 24 has not changed hands since Fitzpatrick’s initial and unanticipated departure prior to the 2021 Season.
Meanwhile, All-Australian and recently inducted Saints leader Nicola Stevens will inherit the No. 2, changing from the No. 21 previously worn for Collingwood (2017) and Collingwood (2018-2022).
Fellow All-Australian Erin McKinnon has shifted from the No. 23 at GWS to the No. 10 at St Kilda, while Grace Kelly has moved in next door in the No. 11.
First-round draftee J’Noemi Anderson was gifted the club’s famed No. 7 guernsey by club legend Nicky Winmar last June, continuing the proud Indigenous lineage of the number alongside men’s player Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera.
The best surprise 🥹
— St Kilda FCW (@stkildafcw) July 6, 2022
J'Noemi Anderson, meet Nicky Winmar. pic.twitter.com/YUKtbCD5E1
Deanna Jolliffe takes the No. 4 worn during her time as Southern Saints captain in 2022, Hannah Stuart has assumed the No. 18, while father-daughter selection Caitlin Matthews and free agent signing Simone Nalder inherit the No. 28 and No. 34 respectively.
Tarni White has also changed numbers for Season 7, trading in her No. 29 for the No. 9.
Season 7 Guernsey Numbers
1. Molly McDonald
2. Nicola Stevens
3. Alice Burke
4. Deanna Jolliffe
5. Darcy Guttridge
6. Tyanna Smith
7. J’Noemi Anderson
8. Bianca Jakobsson
9. Tarni White (changed from No. 29)
10. Erin McKinnon
11. Grace Kelly
12. Kate Shierlaw
13. Renee Saulitis
14. Hannah Priest
15. Nat Exon
16. Ella Friend
17. Caitlin Greiser
18. Hannah Stuart
19. Jess Matin
20. Bec Ott
21. Georgia Patrikios
22. Ash Richards
23. Olivia Vesely
24. Clara Fitzpatrick
25. Rosie Dillon
27. Nicola Xenos
28. Caitlin Matthews
30. Lucy Burke
34. Simone Nalder
36. Jayde Van Dyk