Isabel Huntington is to retire from the AFLW at the age of 27, with the Greater Western Sydney defender telling teammates that this weekend’s match will be the 61st and final game of her career.
Huntington was selected by the Western Bulldogs with the first pick in the 2017 draft before later joining the Giants. Her playing career included All-Australian recognition and the AFLW Rising Star award.
Her time in the competition was also marked by a series of serious injuries, including three anterior cruciate ligament tears.
Beyond her playing career, Huntington was elected to the AFL Players’ Association board in 2022. She became a prominent figure in negotiations for the 2023-2027 AFLW collective bargaining agreement.
She has also graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor of Science in Human Structure and Function, completing her studies alongside her playing and rehabilitation commitments.
