Gold Coast have delisted AFLW player Georgia Clayden just weeks before she is due to give birth, casting a spotlight on the league’s maternity leave policy and support for pregnant and postpartum athletes. The Suns announced on Tuesday that Clayden and fellow player Sienna McMullen were informed they would not be offered contracts for the 2027 season.
Clayden, 31, debuted in 2022 and has played 44 games for the Suns. She was listed as inactive for the 2026 season due to her pregnancy with her first child. Less than a month ago, Gold Coast published a story on their website celebrating Clayden’s pregnancy and noting she remained “actively involved in the club’s football program”, having modified her training to safely participate while pregnant, with a focus on running, swimming and gym work. “It still is hard because you watch, and we’re playing such good footy, and I’d love to be out there playing in that,” Clayden said in that interview.
Former AFLW player-turned-commentator Kate McCarthy said more needed to be done to protect and support AFLW players who choose to become parents during their playing careers. “A player should be able to make the incredible life decision to start a family without fearing it could come at the expense of their football career,” McCarthy posted on Instagram on Tuesday. “There needs to be greater security and a genuine opportunity for players to return to the game after giving birth.”
North Melbourne premiership player Eilish Sheerin responded to McCarthy’s post, writing: “So well said. In other industries this would be viewed as discrimination.”
The AFL Players’ Association’s recent Insights report found that almost one in four AFLW players under 22 could see themselves taking time away from football to have a baby mid-career. The current collective bargaining agreement entitles players to 12 months of paid parental leave, starting six weeks before their due date. Clubs can place players on an inactive list and can request an extra list spot from the AFL for a replacement player for another year. However, players whose contracts expire during pregnancy or parental leave do not have an automatic right to a new contract, which creates career uncertainty at a vulnerable time. Small AFLW list sizes also amplify pressure on players and clubs to make return-to-play decisions before players are ready, and create complications when parental leave and pre-season timelines do not align.
Last December, Carlton told former captain Kerryn Peterson she would not be offered a contract for 2026, just months after giving birth to her first child.
Gold Coast were contacted for comment.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- AFLW players now face a clear career penalty for choosing to start a family, as the delisting of a pregnant player weeks before birth exposes gaps in the league’s parental leave protections.
- The case adds to a pattern of uncertainty for postpartum athletes across Australian women’s sport, including similar outcomes for Super Netball players, raising questions about whether clubs are complying with the spirit of the collective bargaining agreement.
- It may intensify pressure on the AFL and the Players’ Association to renegotiate contract security during parental leave ahead of the next CBA cycle.
Background
The current AFLW collective bargaining agreement provides 12 months of paid parental leave starting six weeks before the due date, and allows clubs to place players on an inactive list. However, it does not guarantee a new contract for players whose deals expire during pregnancy or parental leave. The AFLW’s small list sizes leave clubs with little flexibility to hold a spot for a returning player. Last year, Carlton delisted former captain Kerryn Peterson months after she gave birth. In Super Netball, players Emily Mannix and Maddy Proud also faced uncertain futures after becoming mothers.
Key Perspectives
Kate McCarthy (former AFLW player): Says players should be able to start a family without fearing it will cost them their career, and calls for greater security and a genuine opportunity to return to the game. “A player should be able to make the incredible life decision to start a family without fearing it could come at the expense of their football career.”
Eilish Sheerin (North Melbourne player): Called Clayden’s delisting discrimination. “In other industries this would be viewed as discrimination.”
Gold Coast Suns: Stated the players were informed they would not be offered contracts for 2027, thanking them for their contributions and wishing them well.
What to Watch
- Whether the AFL or the AFL Players’ Association seeks to clarify or amend the automatic right to a new contract for players on parental leave.
- If Georgia Clayden or the AFLPA lodge a formal complaint or grievance under the league’s anti-discrimination provisions.
- Whether other AFLW clubs adjust their list management practices in response to the public backlash.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 11 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedGold Coast delisted Georgia Clayden weeks before she was due to give birth, prompting an outcry.The Age - Latest News: “Gold Coast have delisted AFLW player Georgia Clayden just weeks before she gives birth, casting a spotlight on the league’s maternity leave policy and support for pregnant and postpartum athletes.”
- Partly supportedFormer players spoke out over maternity protections.The Age - Latest News: “Former AFLW player-turned-commentator Kate McCarthy said more needed to be done to protect and support AFLW players, and female athletes, who choose to become parents during their playing careers. ... North Melbourne premiership player Eilish Sheerin responded to McCarthy’s post.”
- SupportedClayden was told she would not receive a contract for 2027.The Age - Latest News: “On Tuesday, the Suns announced that Clayden and fellow player Sienna McMullen were informed they would not be offered contracts for the 2027 season.”
- SupportedThe Suns announced on Tuesday that Clayden and Sienna McMullen would not be offered contracts for 2027.The Age - Latest News: “On Tuesday, the Suns announced that Clayden and fellow player Sienna McMullen were informed they would not be offered contracts for the 2027 season.”
- SupportedClayden said: “It still is hard because you watch, and we’re playing such good footy, and I’d love to be out there playing in that.”The Age - Latest News: ““It still is hard because you watch, and we’re playing such good footy, and I’d love to be out there playing in that,” Clayden said in that interview.”
- SupportedMcCarthy posted both quoted statements on Instagram on Tuesday, calling for greater security and an opportunity to return after giving birth.The Age - Latest News: ““A player should be able to make the incredible life decision to start a family without fearing it could come at the expense of their football career,” McCarthy posted on Instagram on Tuesday. ... “There needs to be greater security and a genuine opportunity for players to return to the game after giving birth.””
- SupportedSheerin responded to McCarthy’s post: “So well said. In other industries this would be viewed as discrimination.”The Age - Latest News: “North Melbourne premiership player Eilish Sheerin responded to McCarthy’s post. “So well said. In other industries this would be viewed as discrimination,” Sheerin wrote.”
- SupportedClayden is 31.The Age - Latest News: “Clayden, 31, debuted in 2022 and has played 44 games for the Suns.”
- SupportedClayden has played 44 games for the Suns.The Age - Latest News: “Clayden, 31, debuted in 2022 and has played 44 games for the Suns.”
- SupportedClayden was inactive for the 2026 season because of her pregnancy with her first child.The Age - Latest News: “She was listed as inactive for the 2026 season due to her pregnancy with her first child.”
- SupportedThe collective bargaining agreement provides 12 months of paid parental leave, commencing six weeks before the due date.The Age - Latest News: “The current collective bargaining agreement states players are entitled to 12 months of paid parental leave, commencing six weeks before their due date.”
- SupportedPlayers whose contracts expire during pregnancy or parental leave have no automatic right to a new contract.The Age - Latest News: “Players whose contracts expire during pregnancy or parental leave do not have an automatic right to a new contract – which creates career uncertainty at a vulnerable time.”