Runnalls arrives at Collingwood, much to the delight of her diehard Pies supporting family, as part of a trade involving Fremantle in exchange for pick 45 in the 2024 Telstra AFLW Draft.
“It feels pretty surreal and I don’t think it has fully sunk in yet!” Airlie told the Yarrawonga Chronicle.
“But it’s a dream come true and being a girl in football, I probably never thought it would actually be possible as a little girl to play at the club I followed for most of my life.
“I’m extremely excited to be back home with my friends and family.
“I probably haven’t seen them a whole lot in the last three years, especially as I moved over to Perth in Covid, with border closures and hubs, so it’ll be so good to spend more time with them again.”
Drafted to Fremantle with pick 44 during the 2021 NAB AFLW Draft, Runnalls will join the Pies after 45 games in the west with the fast paced winger having a career-best season in 2024, averaging 14 disposals, totalling 32 marks, 45 tackles and 17 clearances.
The first week of finals in 2024 against Essendon was arguably the 26-year-old's best game in 2024, totalling a season-high of 17 disposals and seven contested possessions, five tackles and kicking her fifth career goal.
“I’ve been lucky enough to play every game so far in the last four seasons, but I still feel like I’ve got a lot more to give and a lot more to continue working on,” Airlie said.
“I can’t wait to continue building on my game at Collingwood.
“I’m most looking forward to hopefully putting on the black and white jumper next season and do whatever I can for the team to be as successful as we can be in 2025.”
Collingwood General Manager of Women’s Football Jess Burger welcomed Runnalls to the club.
“We’re thrilled to have Airlie in the black and white, who will be joining the program in 2025 as we embark on our tenth AFLW campaign,” Ms Burger said.
“Airlie will bring speed and outside run to our side, while also being a strong contested ball winner.
“She brings experience having already played 45 AFLW games, and it’s great to have her return home to Victoria.”
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