The Brisbane Lions AFLW side have announced three changes to their leadership group ahead of the 2025 NAB AFLW Season. 

Belle Dawes has been elevated to vice-captain while Jade Ellenger and Ruby Svarc have been announced as part of an eight-person leadership group to lead the program this year. 

Bre Koenen will take the reigns for a fifth consecutive season making her the most capped AFLW captain in Club history. 

Koenen will again be supported by Nat Grider as vice-captain with Dawes joining her in the role. 

Ally Anderson, Sophie Conway, Cathy Svarc along with new members Jade Ellenger and Ruby Svarc rounding out the leadership group. 

“I’m incredibly grateful to be able to lead the group again this season,” Koenen said after being confirmed as skipper for season 2025. 

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“As a group we feel like we’ve started the year really strongly with so many girls hitting PBs in the gym and on the track.  

“For Belle to be elevated to vice-captain is a huge achievement for her and we as a playing group love the energy she brings every day and we know she’ll bring that as vice-captain too.” 

Ellenger, who is set to play her eighth season as a Lion takes the step up into the leadership group after a strong season in 2024. 

Svarc, drafted into the Lions squad in 2021, becomes the first genuine forward to be inducted into the leadership group highlighting her ability to set up the Lions attacking half. 

The 31-year-old, who enters her sixth season and approaches 50 games enjoyed a career best year in 2024, highlighted by winning the Lionhearted award at the Club’s best and fairest for bringing speed and pressure to the forward line. 

“It is exciting to see Jade and Ruby take the step up into the leadership and we believe they will add great value and insight into our already very strong cohort of leaders<” Koenen said. 

“Both girls have hit the ground running this pre-season and clearly built off their strong campaigns in 2024 so we are excited to see what they can bring both on and off field.” 

Lions AFLW senior coach Craig Starcevich said the addition of Ellenger and Svarc to the group along with the elevation of Dawes, demonstrated the maturity within the list.

“It is a testament to depth of leadership within our group that Belle, Jade and Ruby will all step up in their roles this season,” he said.

“To have their teammates back them in as leaders shows how the group views them as influential players and exceptional people as well.

“We’re excited to have Ruby and Jade join the leadership group this season. We know they will be valuable additions as will Belle in her new role as vice-captain.”

With the fixture for the 2025 NAB AFLW season confirmed, the Lions are preparing for a Round 1 showdown against Hawthorn at Brighton Homes Arena on Sunday August 17 from 12:40pm. 

Get behind the Brisbane Lions and secure your 2025 AFLW Season Membership today, gain access to every home & away game, plus plenty of extras, here.