By Ant Wingard
One more Queenslander has already found her way into the AFL Women’s competition, courtesy of compensation granted to Collingwood by the league.
Erica Fowler, who has been playing for the Magpies in the VFLW this season, was signed by the AFLW outfit after long-term injuries to Mel Kuys and Chloe Molloy, as well as the several departures in personnel ahead of the 2019 season.
Before her move to Victoria, Fowler was a stalwart for Yeronga South Brisbane in the QWAFL.
In total, she played 33 games at QWAFL and QWFA level for the Devils and was a part of the team’s 2017 premiership win over Coorparoo.
She also earned senior representative honours with Queensland in 2017, where she was named among the state’s best players in one of their two games.
Since moving to the VFLW, Fowler has been a solid contributor in the black and white, operating mainly as a forward-midfielder where she has averaged 6.1 disposals across her nine games.
Fowler joins VFLW teammates Sophie Alexander as Collingwood’s second compensation signing.
AFL head of women’s football, Nicole Livingston, said the compensation granted to Collingwood came because of their significant list changes between AFLW seasons.
“Further support was considered and granted to Collingwood given the changes to their list over the past five months,” Livingstone told afl.com.au.
“We are working closely with all AFLW clubs to ensure we have a balanced competition as we are expanding to 10 teams and managing the impact of player injuries over the off-season.”
Fowler will officially join Collingwood with pick 70 in the 2018 NAB AFL Women’s Draft which takes place at Marvel Stadium on October 23.
