COLLINGWOOD will be nervously awaiting the outcome of skipper Ruby Schleicher's shoulder injury, with the worst-case scenario seeing the much-loved leader potentially playing her final game for the club. 

In the Pies' loss to St Kilda on Saturday, Schleicher sustained a shoulder injury midway through the second quarter in a tackle from Saints' youngster Maya Louvel-Finn. 

Leaving the field gingerly holding her right shoulder steady whilst flanked by club trainers, the Magpies star was ruled out of the game before she was seen sporting a sling in the post-match guard of honour for teammate Sabrina Frederick. 

00:57

Starring Schleicher clutches shoulder in cruel injury blow

Ruby Schleicher comes from the field with a suspected right shoulder injury following this incident

Published on Oct 10, 2026

The blow to the Pies forward line pairs with the reality that Schleicher is out of contract at the seasons end, and as reported by AFL.com.au's Riley Beveridge, the captain has been in no rush to sign the fresh two-year deal currently tabled by the club. 

With just the three games left and now on the precipice of a potentially season-ending injury, AFLW experts Gemma Bastiani and Joel Peterson are now asking if Schleicher has played her final game for the Magpies. 

"If you were Ruby Schleicher, you'd be well advised to sit and wait and make them sweat over this because, again, Collingwood's another program that needs to invest in players like Ruby to keep them around in the long term," Peterson said on AFL.com.au's The Wrap.

"I think there's definitely a world where she might have played her last game at Collingwood."

22:40

The Wrap: Race for top eight is on, Saints' next move, Schleicher's last Pies game?

Gemma Bastiani and Joel Peterson unpack a huge Round 9

Published on Oct 11, 2026

Before the Magpies put a two-year deal on the table earlier this year, Bastiani says Schleicher's initial offer was just the one year, with that offer leverage enough for her to welcome more lucrative opportunities from rivals. 

"When you're offering your captain only one year, you probably make a statement of how you value them, and Ruby would have every right to explore her options," Bastiani said. 

"If I was in that situation, I probably would."

Currently sitting in the bottom four for a third consecutive season, fans will be eagerly awaiting the re-signing of Schleicher, who has been a shining light for a club that is still finding its feet in 2026.

Ruby Schleicher celebrates a goal during the match between Collingwood and Hawthorn at Victoria Park in round three, 2026. Picture: AFL Photos

"She has played a hell of a season," Peterson said. 

"She has given Collingwood everything they have needed with that new role ahead of the footy. At times, she's been the lone hand up there. 

"It's going to be a watch over the next period of time as to whether Collingwood can get that key signature because having a leader like her is going to be very, very important to where they are hoping to go."