Five new Sainters sign on for next season

04/01/2022

The Southern Saints have confirmed the signings of Nicki Cormack, Olivia Flanagan, Hannah Smith, Winnie Laing, and Chloe Saultry.

Nicki Cormack (left) and Olivia Flanagan (right) at our Pre-Season Camp.

Cormack, Flanagan, Smith, Laing, and Saultry are all new signings for the Saints.

Cormack has been in the Hawthorn VFLW system for the past 3 years. The 21-year-old has a great football brain and skill to match and will likely play on the wing or in the midfield in 2022.

Cormack’s preseason suffered a minor hiccup recently as she was hospitalised after a bite from her pet cat became infected. Fortunately, the situation hasn’t slowed her down too much and she will be a handy addition in 2022.

Flanagan has also been in the Hawthorn VFLW system for a couple of years. Flanagan is a strong mark and kick, but is also adept at ground level, playing at half-forward and occasionally in the forward line. Her fitness has been coming along well, despite having a dislike of the gym, and we look forward to seeing her next season.  

Smith played between the North Melbourne VFLW team and Melbourne University VAFA team in 2021, often as a forward or full back. The Tasmanian recently moved to Melbourne last year after the Tasmanian State League folded in 2020.

She has had a slightly troubled pre-season with a few minor injuries, and has been working on getting back to full-strength for next season. Smith has a strong body and skills and we will look to utilise her across our forward line in 2022.

Laing was captain of the Sandringham Dragons and was drafted to Carlton AFLW for the 2021 season. The 19-year-old speedster will play on the wing in 2022 and can create great goal opportunities moving forward.

Laing, who has recently spent some time training with the Saints AFLW team, has been having a great pre-season and we are excited to see what she can do this year.

Saultry has also come from the Sandringham Dragons. She joined the Southern Saints late last season but was unable to make her debut in 2020 due to a knee injury.

Saultry plays across half back, and can shut down key forwards as well as add to our attack out of the backline. She has also been having a very good pre-season, including putting work in during lockdown to keep herself match-fit and ready for 2022.

We can't wait to see these girls in the red, white and black in 2022.