The Lions continue to strengthen their premiership defence with Grand Final stars Courtney Hodder, Orla O’Dwyer and Indy Tahua the latest to re-sign with the Club.

The trio had breakthrough season as the Lions tore through the fifth season of AFLW football on their way to an 18-point Grand Final defeat of the Adelaide Crows.

Hodder, 20, burst onto the scene in her return to Australian football from a stint in Super W rugby, quickly earning a reputation as one of the most exciting players in the competition.

In her first season in the AFLW she produced regular contenders for the 2021 Rebel AFLW Goal of the Year, an award she eventually claimed with her long-range effort against Melbourne.

Twenty-two-year-old Irish speedster O’Dwyer also took the league by storm in just her second season of football becoming one of the premier wingers in the competition on her way to a second-place finish in the Lions Club Champion awards, the tightest vote count in the Club’s history.

The baby of the group was eighteen-year-old Tahua who was also able to settle comfortably into the AFLW in her debut season.

The Lions’ second pick at number 37 in the 2020 draft had an initiation of fire playing on Crows superstar Erin Phillips in her debut game and quickly found her feet as one of the side’s more versatile defenders.   

The re-signings follow yesterday’s announcement that fellow premiership young guns Jesse Wardlaw and Jade Ellenger had also out pen to paper on new deals.

Premiership winning coach Craig Starcevich said the trio had been instrumental in the breakthrough premiership and along with Ellenger and Wardlaw were important figures in the Club’s future.

“It is fantastic for our club to have 5 of our youngest premiership players recommit,’’ he said.

“Orla has shown great improvement in her second year as one of the competitions more dynamic wingers, Courtney made a huge impact as a small forward and we’re so glad she has decided to continue with us whilst Indy has slotted in very well as a reliable defender playing some crucial roles for us this season.

“They are all 21 or younger, hardworking, with a strong team-first attitude and it’s great to see them stay together to continue their footy journey together.”

The Lions have also announced the delisting of Jordan Zanchetta, Selina Priest, Ruby Svarc and Beth Pinchin. 

They'll join retirees Emma Zielke, Jessy Keefe, Lauren Arnell and Rheanne Lugg as departures from the club.