Collingwood AFLW captain Ruby Schleicher to leave for Western Australia

Collingwood AFLW captain Ruby Schleicher will leave the Magpies at season's end to return home to Western Australia.

The 28-year-old told her teammates of the decision on Tuesday. Collingwood confirmed the call on its official website, saying Schleicher will depart after nine seasons in black and white Collingwood FC.

West Coast is expected to be her next club. Schleicher has been linked with a four-year offer from the Eagles after turning down a one-year deal to stay at Collingwood, according to ABC News.

The news follows a season-ending shoulder injury. Schleicher fractured her shoulder in the Round 9 loss to St Kilda and informed the club of her decision after that game.

It is a big loss. Schleicher joined Collingwood ahead of the first AFLW season in 2017 and never left. The AFLW is the national women's Australian rules competition, now with 18 clubs alongside the men's league.

She has played 82 games for the Magpies. A defender for most of her career, she was shifted into attack this year by coach Sam Wright and kicked 10 goals before the injury. That form sits alongside two All-Australian selections, the end-of-season team that honours the best players in each position.

Schleicher took over the captaincy from Bri Davey in 2025. She led a young side through a hard year. Collingwood had won only one game after 10 rounds at the time of the October 20 report.

For fans, this means change on and off the field. Vice-captain Jordy Allen is contracted until the end of the 2027 season and shapes as a central figure in what comes next.

Collingwood has not yet named a captain for next season. Schleicher's move will become official when the off-season signing period opens.