Inaugural Eagle Courtney Guard has called time on her career after playing three seasons and 21 games for West Coast.
Guard has stepped away from AFLW to focus on her career and new role as Head of Sport at Perth College as well as growing a family with her partner Chris Guard and dog Wally.
Affectionally nicknamed, ‘Stubbsy’, the medium defender played every game in West Coast’s first year and was a part of the leadership team in 2020 and 2021.
Career highlights include an impressive performance against Richmond in round eight, 2021, where Guard finished with 13 disposals and five tackles, as well as six intercepts and five contested possessions.
As well as this, Guard has also contributed to the off-field culture at the club, and is known for her welcoming presence and friendships with teammates and staff alike.
Senior coach Michael Prior said the team will sorely miss Guard, who has played for West Coast since the beginning of their AFLW program.
“I’m going to miss ‘Stubbsy’ being around the group, I think the whole group is going to miss ‘Stubbsy’,” he said.
“She’s like a mother hen to all of the girls, they all obviously love hanging around with her, she’s very loud and always the centre of attention.
“So, someone else’s turn to have that mantle now.
“But, she’ll be missed, she’s a great character to have amongst the group and hard to replace in that regard.
“With her age she brings that experience, games played, and has the mentality to get the best out of herself.
“So she can pass that onto our younger players and leave that legacy.”
Guard also said that she cherishes the memories made at West Coast ahead of her final home game this Saturday at Optus Stadium.
"If I really delve into it I'll be crying non-stop, it's a bit surreal, super mixed emotions," she said.
"Super duper emotional, but I'm also excited for the next bit and life without footy, but I'm definitely going to miss footy.
"I don't even know where to begin with the highlights, I think this group of girls has been the most rewarding, memorable bit of it all.
"Meeting them all, memorable bits, year one was pretty memorable, running out for the first time, first win.
"Just everything along the way, playing at Optus and all the special moments, I will never, ever forget the last three years I've had with this incredible club and incredible playing group.
"I think I'll be very emotional running out crying my eyes out.
"It's going to be a pretty fairytale ending to the piece running out at Optus but I'm going to be taking every little last moment in."
