AFL Player Hannah Priest Became Captain

Topic: AFL Women’s

Friday, 7 August 2026, at 7:18 am

Friday, 7 August 2026, at 7:28 am

Hannah Priest stopped being captain of St Kilda after six seasons.

In 2019, Hannah was 27 and teaching school. She was getting her students ready for exams.

Hannah asked her school principal for a day off to try out for the AFL.

Hannah's principal said she could have the day off. She tried out for the AFL and got picked by St Kilda.

Hannah was very happy when she got picked by St Kilda.

Hannah became a co-captain in 2021 and the main captain in 2022.

When Hannah went back to school, her students were surprised she got picked for the AFL.

Hannah finished the school year and then moved to Melbourne to play for St Kilda.

Hannah's career shows how the AFLW has grown.

Hannah grew up playing netball and started playing football when the AFLW began.

If Hannah was older, she might not have been able to play in the AFLW.

If Hannah was younger, she would have had an easier time getting into football.

St Kilda made it to the finals last year.

Hannah was drafted with other players who were 18 or 19 years old.

The Saints thought Hannah could learn to kick even though she wasn’t good at it.

In the early years of the AFLW, many players came from other sports.

Now, the players coming into the AFLW are more professional and athletic.

The AFL has planned some double-header games this season.

Hannah became a captain just a year after she started playing in the AFLW.

Hannah went from being a teacher to a captain in a few years.

When Hannah joined St Kilda, she met a coach she had admired as a kid.

Hannah’s life changed a lot after she joined the AFLW.

This weekend, Hannah will play in a game at a big stadium.

St Kilda is playing a double-header game with Carlton.

Hannah’s team is excited and nervous about playing at a big stadium.

The game is also about mental health, which is very important to the AFL.

The AFL wants people to take care of their mental health.

As football players, Hannah and her team have a big responsibility to be good role models.

Hannah thinks it’s essential to take care of yourself before you can help others.

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