New deals

Riley, who won the inaugural AFLW flag with the Adelaide Crows this year, has secured a position with the club for the 2018 season.

The former Mount Clear College student told The Courier she was thrilled to be given another chance to play at the highest level.

“I’m obviously very grateful and excited to have another opportunity to run around again with the Crows,” Riley said.

“And there’s a little bit of relief as well, knowing that you don’t have to wait until October to know. I now know what I’m doing for the next 12 months.

“And having been there before, I know what’s ahead and I know how much hard work needs to be put in. In a way, I’ve got a little bit of a head start.”

Riley, 26, was vice-captain of the Crows’ team that beat Brisbane Lions in the grand final during March.

Fellow Mount Clear College graduates Kaitlyn Ashmore and Nicole Hildebrand have agreed to new deals with the Lions, while former Ballarat girl Laura Bailey is set for another season with the Western Bulldogs. Bree White, who attended high school at Loreto College, is also part of the group that has signed on for another year with Collingwood.

Tahni Nestor and Jordan Ivey, who are both from Ballarat, featured for Carlton last season, but as top-up players, they will head to the AFLW draft in a bid to secure selection at a club.

Following the AFLW trade period, which ended on Friday, the free agency window opens. It runs from Monday, May 29 to Thursday, June 1.

Next season, AFLW squads will have 30 players, including 27 on the senior list and another three rookies.

The eight-team competition will remain in 2018, with Carlton, Collingwood, Adelaide, GWS Giants, Western Bulldogs, Fremantle, Melbourne and Brisbane Lions to do battle.