Richmond vice-captain Tessa Lavey has called time on her six-season AFLW career after 36 games at the top level.
The former dual Olympic basketballer fulfilled a lifelong dream to be drafted by Richmond when the Club pounced on her with pick No. 43 overall in the 2020 AFL Women’s Draft.
“I am retiring after 16 years of (professional) sports,” Lavey said.
“I have had the most amazing sporting experience an athlete could ask for. I am overwhelmed with the support I have received throughout my career.
“To the Richmond Football Club, thank you for making this little girl's dream come true.
“I have loved playing for the yellow and black.
“To Kate (Sheahan) and (former assistant coach) Nathan Chapman, two people who were influential in getting me to the Club and thinking that I would be OK at football.
“Ferg (Ryan Ferguson), the only head coach I have known for football. Thank you for allowing me to grow and for showing me how to be a footballer.
“The Club is in great hands, and I cannot wait to see what this team and Club can do in the future.”
Lavey made her debut for the Tigers during the 2021 season, immediately impressing with her speed, evasiveness, and natural football ability.
By just her second season, Lavey announced herself as a standout player, finishing fifth in the Club’s best and fairest despite missing three of the 10 games.
Lavey was a consistent performer across all 12 games as the Club qualified for finals and finished inside the top four for the first time in Season 7 (2022 B).
The supremely talented sportswoman was then added to the leadership group for the 2023 season. She became just the fifth player to captain Richmond in an AFLW game, in Round 5 2024, when she took the reins in the absence of skipper Katie Brennan.
Lavey played all 11 games last year and returned to finals action for the Club’s elimination final loss to Port Adelaide.
Unfortunately, the 32-year-old has again been hampered by injury this season, missing all 12 games due to hamstring and calf strains. She said that not being able to take the field this year was the only disappointment of her AFLW career.
Richmond Executive Head of Women’s Football, Kate Sheahan, thanked Lavey for her contribution to the Club.
“Tessa should be incredibly proud of what she achieved in the AFLW after first joining while still in the midst of making an Australian Olympic squad with her basketball,” Sheahan said.
“We knew we were getting a highly driven athlete, and Tessa was quick to show how adaptable she would be to the AFLW and how valuable she was to our leadership team with her professional habits and thoughts.
“Tessa is a natural footballer, and we are so glad she was able to show everyone that while wearing a Richmond jumper.
“We wish her all the very best for the future, and she is always welcome at Richmond.”
