Inaugural Eagle Maddy Collier has called time on her career at West Coast and will return home to New South Wales to join the inaugural Swans AFLW team.

Collier has been a key component in the Eagles’ backline for three years, with her hardnosed style of play valued by teammates and coaches alike.

The defender’s decision was based on the ability to return to her home state of New South Wales, where her family and friends currently reside.

Collier has been in the competition for six years – spending the first three at GWS – and has put together a successful campaign at West Coast as well as contributing strongly to the club culture.

The West Coast Eagles thank Maddy Collier for her service over the past three seasons and wish her luck at the Sydney Swans.

“When I came to West Coast I was wanting to play better footy, become a better person and really challenge myself,” Collier said.

“To move to other side of country and give it a crack, and I think I have achieved that in a sense, done what I set out to do, made some really good friends and connections in Perth.

“I remember in the first year we did this theory lesson where we had to take into consideration all the big things that contribute to yourself at the footy club.

“Football was one, culture was another one, but one was a question of, ‘when you leave this club, how do you want to have grown during your time here?’

“I can say I have walked out of the club a better person and I wanted to thank all the people that contributed to that and helped me get there.

“I hope I’ve also left the club in a better place than when I came.

“Now I’m returning home, going to start thinking about life after footy a bit more seriously, while being back in a familiar place with friends and family close by.

“COVID has for everyone made it a lot more isolating from family and friends so it feels like the right time to come home and I’m excited to see them.”