Star midfield recruit Monique Conti will be available for the entire 2020 AFLW season, after being released from her Melbourne Boomers WNBL contract today.

Conti, a dual code athlete, requested immediate release from the Melbourne Boomers to progress her AFLW career, where she is already one of the competition’s stars.

The AFLW season commences on February 7, making Conti unable to compete in both the AFLW and WNBL, she therefore made the decision to commit to Richmond. 

Richmond Head of Women’s Football, Kate Sheahan said while the Club was greatly excited to have Conti available for the full season, it would continue to support the talented 20-year-olds dual sporting ambitions.

“We want to help Mon be the best athlete she can possibly be, basketball is something that makes her happy and we look forward to seeing where that also takes her in the future,” she said. 

“We are rapt to have her, she’s important to our team.”

Conti made the decision after consultation with the Boomers board, executive, coaches and team captains.

Boomers General Manager Christy Collier said the WNBL club was sad to see the talented 20-year-old leave.

“Monique is an exceptional athlete; we value her contribution and commitment to the club and equally we have supported her as a dual athlete since she joined us as a 16-year-old more than three years ago,” she said.

“Monique has decided to prioritise her AFLW career, which the club accepts and wishes her all the best for the future.”

Conti won the Richmond VFLW best and fairest in 2019 off just seven games while juggling basketball commitments and will now be a certain starter for the Tigers in Round 1.