HAWTHORN is set to pinch one of the AFLW's most underrated players as part of its collection of expansion signings, with the club on the cusp of agreeing a deal for St Kilda midfielder Tilly Lucas-Rodd.
Womens.afl understands Lucas-Rodd is poised to join the Hawks after she was identified as a vital part of the club's initial list build, just months after securing a top-10 finish in the AFLW best and fairest count.
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It's expected Lucas-Rodd will be part of a spate of Hawthorn expansion signings likely to be announced next week, adding to commitments from Eliza Shannon, Tegan Cunningham, Bridget Deed, Zoe Barbakos, Sophie Locke and Dominique Carbone.
Lucas-Rodd spent three seasons with Carlton before being delisted, eventually finding a home at St Kilda where she has emerged as one of the game's most consistent onballers to average 20.1 disposals and 7.0 tackles per game last season.
However, the rebuilding Saints are set to soften the blow of losing Lucas-Rodd to expansion with a series of important signings of their own and are closing on deals for a pair of experienced forwards.
As revealed by womens.afl last month, the club is working towards a move for Carlton forward Nicola Stevens while it has also received a commitment from West Coast's Irish recruit Grace Kelly ahead of the sign and trade period.
Stevens has kicked 16 goals over the last two seasons and has been eyed to add additional experience to the side's attack, while the 176cm Kelly finished the 2021 campaign with seven majors from her last five matches.
