St Kilda Football Club wishes to advise that Clara Fitzpatrick has been placed on the club’s inactive list ahead of Season 2021.
The key defender – who is currently located in Ireland – has been seeking Permanent Residency in Australia, but has had her application delayed due to the ongoing impacts of COVID-19.
Fitzpatrick and the club were granted an extension by the AFL in the hope that the paperwork would be processed before the club’s final list lodgement, but the deadline has since passed.
St Kilda will be able to replace Fitzpatrick on the list for the upcoming season, with the 30-year-old able to immediately re-join the list the following year.
Head of Women’s Football Jamie Cox said the club would continue to support Fitzpatrick from afar.
“It’s disappointing to see Clara miss 2021 through circumstances beyond anyone’s control,” Cox said.
“As a club, we will continue to keep in close contact with Clara and we’re certain she’ll be watching the Saints with great interest from the other side of the world.”
Fitzpatrick played five games in St Kilda’s debut campaign and was awarded the Dare Iced Coffee Coaches’ Award at season’s end.
