Cassie O’Leary and Maddie Edwards will lead the Kiama Power as co-captains for the 2026 AFL South Coast season.
O’Leary and Edwards’ co-captaincy was announced by women’s senior co-coach Tony Grady to the men’s and women’s playing groups last week.
O’Leary continues as co-captain while Edwards takes on the shared role after arriving in Kiama midway through 2025.
“Cassie and Maddie are really going to be driving those standards at training this season,” co-coach Grady said.
“If you ever need someone to look for, to really get on the back of and follow their example, they’re two perfect people for you to follow.”
Entering the club’s 25th AFL season, O’Leary and Edwards become vital leaders as the Power’s women’s program continues to build with the addition of a reserve grade in 2026.
“Cassie O’Leary has been captain last few years, she’ll play her 100th game for club later this season and become the first woman to reach that milestone,” Grady said.
“She has been since the start (in 2018) and is an absolute pillar of our women’s program, and we couldn’t move forward without her.
“Since joining the club last year, Maddie Edwards has had an immediate impact with her training standards, and her ability to connect with teammates and everyone at the club.
“We’re really luck to have someone like Maddie at the club, who won a player’s player award at VFL level only two or three seasons ago.”
O’Leary and Edwards will head a wider leadership group for 2026, which will be finalised later in the pre-season.