The Brisbane Lions will welcome a new lion cub to the Den later this year, with foundation player Kate Lutkins expecting her first child with wife Kate in October.
The pair announced their pregnancy news on social media overnight to the joy of her teammates, Lions supporters and the wider AFLW community.
The Premiership player was placed on the Club’s Inactive list for the upcoming AFLW season earlier in the year.
Lutkins notched 50 games in the Season 7 AFLW Grand Final last year, capping off a terrific comeback after rupturing her ACL in January and missing the majority of the 2022 seasons.
A three-time All Australian and the 2021 AFLW Grand Final Best on Ground, Lutkins is almost the perfect defender – a mix of being able to lockdown an opponent but also run off them and create opportunities offensively.
“We are all thrilled for Kate and her wife Kate as they begin their journey into parenthood,” said Breeanna Brock, Brisbane Lions Head of Women’s Football.
“We know she won’t be too far away from Brighton Homes Arena and the group, but we’ll certainly miss her on the field."
“The whole Lions family is thrilled for Lutsy. She is a great servant of the Club and we wish her all the best for this very exciting chapter.”
“Lutsy junior” will be the third cub to be part of the Lions AFLW program, alongside Billie, daughter of Sharni Webb, and Harriet, daughter of former player Sam Virgo.
