MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 06: Alexandra Anderson of the Lions (L) and Emily Bates of the Lions look on after the win during the round nine AFLW match between the Brisbane Lions and the North Melbourne Kangaroos at Maroochydore Multi Sports Complex on March 06, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Kelly Defina/AFL Photos/Getty Images)
Not even a week after Emily Bates was crowned the AFLW's best player, it has been revealed that she is gaining significant interest from outside Brisbane.
Bates won the award with 21 votes after also being crowned the AFLCA champion player of the year and won the AFL Players' Association MVP award. after a spectacular individual season.
Womens.afl are reporting that expansion team Hawthorn are leading the race for Bates should she not re-sign with the Lions.
However, the Hawks aren't the only Victorian club in pursuit of the star midfielder.
Bates has been at Brisbane for all six AFLW season having played 53 games in a very successful Brisbane team.
The 26-year-old is one of a few major names who have reportedly been on the target list for expansion clubs. Western Bulldogs star Ellie Blackburn was being courted by Sydney but opted to remain at the Whitten Oval.
While Adelaide premiership star Erin Phillips is widely expected to join Port Adelaide when they join the league and follow in her fathers footsteps.
2022 Carlton best and fairest Maddy Presparkis is reportedly a target for Essendon. The Herald Sun reported this week that Presparkis will have a lucrative offer from the Bombers to weigh up this off-season.
Bulldogs Kirsty Lamb turned her back on interest from St Kilda to re-sign with the Dogs.