Hawthorn has secured the signature of star AFLW defender Meg Hutchins ahead of the 2018 VFLW season.

Hutchins has been a key leader and contributor for the Collingwood women’s side over the past two AFLW seasons, registering 12 senior games since making her debut in the inaugural AFLW opener against Carlton.

She also became the first female operations manager of an AFL club when she took on the role heading up Collingwood’s women’s program in its foundation year.

A life-long advocate of the game, Hutchins spent her childhood playing junior football, before the league rules prevented her from continuing with the boys’ side.

She spent her time playing social sports, even becoming an elite rower, while still running water for the University Blues in the VAFA to maintain her connection to the sport she loved.

Read: First VFLW hit out under Hawthorn banner

Hutchins returned to the code during her early 20s to play for the Eastern Devils in the VFLW, where she remained for 15 seasons, notching up more than 200 games, representing Victoria on eight occasions and earning six All Australian selections.

With the Devils’ VFLW side folding at the end of 2017, the 36-year-old has chosen to switch her stripes and pull on the brown and gold, in what Football Operations & Strategy Manager Rob McCartney describes as a ‘massive coup’ for Hawthorn’s women’s football program.

“We’re thrilled to have Meg on board,” McCartney said.

“Her passion for the game is infectious.

“She’s one of the most experienced heads in the AFLW, and we feel that our young players in particular will benefit from her knowledge and leadership.

“The side is really coming together, and we’re looking forward to the season kicking off at the start of May.”