Ash Brazill will retire at the end of the 2026 season to take up the senior coach position with Peel Thunder’s WAFLW team.
The defender told teammates of her decision at a team meeting ahead of Sunday’s clash with Richmond at Ikon Park.
"Everyone probably thought it would be a tough announcement for me, but it’s something I’m really proud of, really excited for,” Brazill said.
“It's not every day - and not every person - who gets to say that they had a 17-year career as an elite athlete. So yeah, I've been in this position where I've thought about it. I've achieved everything that I wanted in my career and it’s now time to give back to the sport.”
Brazill says she’s excited about the next phase of her life, but remains focused on playing out the 2026 AFLW season with an incredible group of teammates.
“It is hard to give away playing footy and I'm all in for the rest of the year,” Brazill said.
“I was gutted to miss last weekend with a concussion, I still feel like I'm that little kid that picked up a ball at two years old and wanted to kick it, throw it, and it's not lost on me every time I run out on that ground wearing the purple how many girls would love to be in my position.”
The All Australian defender has continued to perform at a high level in 2026, her composure and speed in the back half making her an invaluable member of the defensive unit. The 36-year-old said she weighed up playing while coaching.
“We (Lisa Webb and I) did have a conversation about it and Peel definitely said they'd try and make it work,” Brazill said.
“But for me, I've been lucky enough to have the most incredible coaches who are extremely dedicated. They're full in, and you know, maybe if I was an assistant coach, would I be able to do that? But as a head coach, I want to give these players all of me. I want to be completely in, completely dedicated.”
Brazill has played 56 AFLW games across 10 seasons with Fremantle and Collingwood. The former Australian Diamond netballer bringing a wealth of leadership and experience to the Club when she arrived in 2024.
The former vice-captain hoping to finish her AFLW playing career on a high with the focus on returning to finals in 2026.
“It's such a special group and I've been here since Ange took over the captaincy, just to see the growth in her as a leader has been incredible,” Brazill said.
“Emma O'Driscoll, I love everything that girl brings, her passion, what's on her mind you know about it, and for me, she's a leader that doesn't even have to say much. You just have to watch what she does and you want to go into war with her.”
Brazill’s list of sporting achievements include; 2019 All Australian AFLW Team, 8th in 2024 Fremantle Fairest and Best, 2023 World Cup gold medal representing Australian Diamonds in Cape Town, 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medal representing Australian Diamonds in Birmingham, 2012 West Coast Fever MVP, 2015-16 West Coast Fever Captain, 2018 Collingwood Magpies SSN (netball) MVP.
