Richmond winger Tessa Lavey has been placed on the Club’s inactive list ahead of the 2023 NAB AFLW Season as she manages a delicate injury to her big toe.
Lavey, a cross-code athlete, played basketball in the WNBL for Bendigo Spirit this season and has maintained dual-code status since being selected by Richmond with the 29th Victorian Pick at the 2020 NAB AFL Women’s Draft.
The 30-year-old has featured in 25 AFLW matches for the Tigers and represented Australia at the Tokyo Olympics (2021) in that time.
Lavey made an immediate impression across six games in her debut 2021 season, before finishing 5th in the Club’s 2022 Best and Fairest and equal ninth in Season 7.
Richmond Head of Women’s Football, Kate Sheahan, said the difficult decision would give Lavey the best chance of returning to full fitness.
“Tessa has been incredible with her dedication and commitment to preparing her body for the rigours of playing two professional sports,” she added.
“Her football for us has been outstanding, and while we would love to have her playing in the 2023 season, we have made a collaborative decision with Tessa and our medical team that this is the best course of action.
“Tessa will continue to play a role within the program in 2023 and work diligently through her rehab. We will give her the time she needs to get her body right, allowing her to return to elite football.”
Richmond will be able to list a replacement player in place of Lavey for the upcoming AFLW season. The Club has had success with these selections in the past with Meg Macdonald and Bethany Lynch becoming regular senior players.
