Collingwood AFLW star Sabrina Frederick has announced her retirement, bringing an end to a 10-year career with the Pies.
The 29-year-old informed teammates and staff of her decision during a team meeting on Friday morning, with Sunday's clash against Essendon set to be her final appearance.
Frederick has played 102 AFLW games across three clubs, including 64 in the Black and White since joining Collingwood ahead of the 2022 season.
The 29-year-old also acknowledged the supporters who had followed her journey in the black and white, admitting it would be difficult to walk away from the connection she had built with the Magpie Army.
"The Magpie Army turns up week in and week out, and it will be so difficult not to see those faces. It's been such a joy," she said.
“I always hoped I'd get to the end of my career feeling at peace and excited for what comes next, and I feel exactly that. AFL has been a lifelong dream of mine, and now I'm looking forward to chasing a new dream."
Having entered the competition as one of Brisbane's marquee players in July 2016, Frederick has been part of the AFLW since its inaugural season. She later joined Richmond, where she made history by kicking the club's first-ever goal in the competition in 2019.
Frederick's performances early in her career were recognised with a Rising Star nomination in 2017, followed by back-to-back All-Australian selections in 2017 and 2018. After spending much of her career as a forward, Frederick reinvented herself as a ruck at Collingwood, where she quickly became an important part of Collingwood's midfield structure.
Her impact was evident during the 2023 season, finishing as the competition's leading player for hit-outs across the home-and-away campaign.
Collingwood president Barry Carp also paid tribute to Frederick, recognising her contribution to the club and the development of the AFLW since its beginning.
"On behalf of the Collingwood Football Club, I congratulate Sabrina on an outstanding career and thank her for everything she has given our program and the AFLW as a whole," Carp said.
"Sabrina has been part of this competition from the very beginning. Players like her built the AFLW into what it is today, and her impact reaches well beyond what she achieved on the field.
“Becoming the first Collingwood AFLW player to reach 100 games is a historic milestone, and one she should always be incredibly proud of. "
