By Lan Chi Nguyen, Williamstown Media
Leading the charge once again is Eliza Straford, who will sit in the skipper’s seat for a second consecutive season.
Straford will be supported by the ever-reliable Emily Eaves, who returns as Vice-Captain, continuing the successful partnership that helped steer the Seagulls through a strong 2024 campaign.
Despite a season-ending ACL injury last year, Straford has remained a vocal and inspiring presence from within the rehab group — a testament to her resilience and the respect she commands among her teammates.
This reunion of leaders promises to drive the Club’s list to greater heights in 2025, with the leadership group expanding to include six deputy leaders — up from four in 2024 — following a player vote.
Returning to the group are familiar faces Zoe Day and Megan Williamson, joined by third-year Seagulls Eloise Freeman and Phoebe Chisholm, both of whom have grown in stature on and off the field.
Rounding out the group are two impressive new recruits, Jemima Wrigley and Gaby De Angelis, each bringing a wealth of experience and leadership from their previous clubs.
Wrigley joins Williamstown following a standout stint with the Southern Saints, where she was named to the leadership group and took home the Coaches Award in her debut season. A former member of the Sydney Swans AFLW Academy and a 2022 train-on with the senior squad, Wrigley’s explosive pace and bravery are set to light up DSV Stadium this year.
De Angelis, meanwhile, arrives with nearly 70 VFLW games under her belt and 35 goals to her name. A key forward since debuting seven years ago, she was the Southern Saints’ leading goalkicker in 2023 and played in the 2022 VFLW Grand Final. Her experience and determination will be a major asset as she slots into the Seagulls’ forward structure.
With this powerful mix of proven leaders and hungry young talent, the Seagulls are primed for an exciting 2025 season under the continued leadership of Straford and Eaves.
Watch Senior Coach Liam Cavanagh announce the 2025 leaders to the VFLW playing group pre-training here.
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