Nicola Stevens
Nicola Stevens (born 24 March 1993) is an Australian rules footballer playing for the Carlton Football Club in the AFL Women's (AFLW). She previously played for the Collingwood Football Club in 2017. Stevens was selected in the inaugural AFL Women's All-Australian team and was the inaugural Collingwood best and fairest winner during her only season with the Magpies in 2017. Early life. Stevens grew up supporting the Essendon Football Club, having had two family members (both life members) involved at the club at different capacities. Stevens started playing Auskick and played local football throughout her  childhood. In 2013, Stevens began playing for Melbourne University in the Victorian Women's Football League (VWFL), now the VFL Women's (VFLW). Stevens was selected eighteenth overall by in the inaugural women's draft in 2013. She continued to play for the Bulldogs in AFL exhibition games in three of the next four seasons, missing the 2014 season with a knee injury. AFL Women's career. Collingwood (2017). Stevens was drafted by with their first selection, sixth overall, in the 2016 AFL Women's draft. Inaugural Magpies coach Wayne Siekman considered Stevens to be "the best defender in the  draft". She made her debut in the inaugural AFL Women's match against at Ikon Park. Stevens was selected in the inaugural AFL Women's All-Australian team and was announced as Collingwood's inaugural best-and-fairest winner after a consistent first season. On 2 September, Stevens played for Victoria in the inaugural AFL Women's State of Origin match. Carlton (2018–present). In May 2017, Stevens was traded to Carlton, along with Collingwood's fourth-round draft selection, in exchange for Carlton's first, second and third draft selections in the 2017 AFL Women's draft. Stevens had  a quiet first season at Carlton, but kicked her first career goal in round 2 against at Drummoyne Oval. She also played for Carlton's VFL Women's team in its inaugural season in the competition. Stevens re-signed with Carlton during the trade and signing period in May 2018. She signed a 2-year contract with on 10 June 2021, after it was revealed the team had conducted a mass re-signing of 13 players. Statistics. ! | Career ! 15 ! 1 ! 1 ! 98 ! 35 ! 133 ! 35 ! 47 ! 0.1 ! 0.1 ! 6.5 ! 2.3 ! 8.9 ! 2.3 ! 3.1 ! 2 Honours and achievements. Individual Nicola