After switching codes from rugby to Australian rules football — a sport she had never played before — former Black Fern Grace Brooker is quickly finding her footing in the AFLW.
Brooker, 26, is one of the AFLW’s rising stars with a unique pathway into the game. A seasoned rugby professional, she previously represented top teams like Canterbury, Matatū, and Japan’s Yokohama TKM. Her unexpected journey into Aussie Rules was inspired by her father’s passion for the sport. In March, she signed with Essendon — despite having never played a game of AFL before.
Known for her athleticism and explosive style of play, Brooker was seen as a high-upside prospect. But it was her rapid improvement during the preseason that truly impressed coaches. That hard work culminated in her AFLW debut in Round 6 against Fremantle.
Since then, she’s cemented her spot in the line-up, playing four consecutive games. She kicked her first AFLW goal in a match against Melbourne, after putting her tackling skills on display and earning a free kick. Brooker has also earned her first starting role, another milestone in her fast-moving AFLW career.
Brooker’s transition has been an exciting prospect not just for Essendon fans, but for AFL New Zealand, which sees her as a trailblazer for other talented Kiwi athletes considering a code switch.
To catch Grace Brooker and other New Zealand heritage players in action, tune in to Sky Sport NZ.
