Retired Kate Lutkins (2016-2024)

[Elixuh]

Kate Lutkins is a very athletic medium-tall utility who can play anywhere - half back wing, half forward, key position, will be a trouble shooter for our team. Regularly the Australian Defence Force's best player, Lutkins is good overhead, can get the ball in her hands and take off and make good decisions. Has represented Queensland and Australia in futsal.

Four ADF women drafted to National AFL teams

Four Australian Defence Force members have been selected to play in the inaugural AFL national women’s competition next year.

Private Kate Lutkins from Brisbane has been chosen to play for the Brisbane Lions.

 

[Elixuh]

 

[Dylan12]

More Daniel Merrett; but well done Kate!

 

[Dylan12]

 

[fanackapan]

http://www.lions.com.au/news/2017-05-22/three-more-resign

The Brisbane Lions have sewn up their backline with three players committing to the Lions for AFLW 2018.

Defenders Leah Kaslar, Shannon Campbell and Kate Lutkins have all re-signed with the Club.

Recruited from Wilston Grange, Kate Lutkins became a general down back for the Lions.

The Defence Force driver was commended for her ability to balance everyday work life with her football, which saw her take out the Most Courageous player award at the Lions’ Best and Fairest.

“Kate has worked really hard to balance her work life in the Defence Force and playing in the AFLW. She’s a gutsy player, who has the ability to work off her opponent and to lay a game saving tackle or spoil. It’s fantastic that she has re-signed with the Club.”

 

[Dylan12]

 

[Pancho Gonzales]

Congratulations to Kate on her BOG performance in the QWAFL GF!

http://www.lions.com.au/news/2018-08-27/lutkins-wreaks-havoc-in-qwafl-finale

 

[dlanod]

[Kaslar] will front a four-woman leadership group, with former Captain Emma Zielke, Kate Lutkins and Sam Virgo supporting Kaslar as vice-captains in 2019.

http://www.lions.com.au/news/2018-12-13/kaslar-elected-aflw-captain

 

[Dylan12]

 

[LionsMaw]

 

[ZoBlitz]

List changes: Giants cut mid, Bombers delist five more

Brisbane premiership defender Kate Lutkins will move to the inactive list for the 2023 season for personal reasons. Lutkins, who ruptured her ACL in round one of season six, returned to footy in impressive time to play a key part in the Lions' push to a fourth Grand Final appearance in season seven later in the same year.

"The club will provide further details on this in due course," Brisbane AFLW head coach Craig Starcevich said.

"We ask everyone to please respect Kate’s privacy at this time."

 

[ZoBlitz]

New Lion Cub! Kate Lutkins Announces Her Pregnancy News

The Brisbane Lions will welcome a new lion cub to the Den later this year, with foundation player Kate Lutkins expecting her first child with wife Kate in October.

The pair announced their pregnancy news on social media overnight to the joy of her teammates, Lions supporters and the wider AFLW community.

The Premiership player was placed on the Club’s Inactive list for the upcoming AFLW season earlier in the year.

Lutkins notched 50 games in the Season 7 AFLW Grand Final last year, capping off a terrific comeback after rupturing her ACL in January and missing the majority of the 2022 seasons.

A three-time All Australian and the 2021 AFLW Grand Final Best on Ground, Lutkins is almost the perfect defender – a mix of being able to lockdown an opponent but also run off them and create opportunities offensively.

“We are all thrilled for Kate and her wife Kate as they begin their journey into parenthood,” said Breeanna Brock, Brisbane Lions Head of Women’s Football.

“We know she won’t be too far away from Brighton Homes Arena and the group, but we’ll certainly miss her on the field."

“The whole Lions family is thrilled for Lutsy. She is a great servant of the Club and we wish her all the best for this very exciting chapter.”

“Lutsy junior” will be the third cub to be part of the Lions AFLW program, alongside Billie, daughter of Sharni Webb, and Harriet, daughter of former player Sam Virgo.

 

[MSB ROYS]

Soldier, footy player, mum: The many sides of Kate Lutkins

She sat out of Brisbane's 2023 premiership campaign to have daughter Riley

www.afl.com.au

 

[Johnny Bananas]

Mildly amusing when two people in a relationship have the same first name, I wonder how many players have done that.

 

[dlanod]

Mildly amusing when two people in a relationship have the same first name, I wonder how many players have done that.

I ran into a M/F couple once who had that. Trying to remember but it was something like Sam/Sam. Plenty of jokes about them getting married at some point.

 

[Johnny Bananas]

I ran into a M/F couple once who had that. Trying to remember but it was something like Sam/Sam. Plenty of jokes about them getting married at some point.

The author Evelyn Waugh, a man, had a wife also named Evelyn. Although Waugh's actual first name was Arthur. Odd that he chose to go by Evelyn.

 

[ZoBlitz]

Lutkins back at Lions den in hunt for more AFLW flags

Brisbane coach Craig Starcevich says he's already been left pleasantly surprised by Kate Lutkins as the veteran aims to regain her status as one of the AFLW's best defenders.

Lutkins missed the Lions' premiership-winning season last year to give birth to her first child.

At 36, she's back on board for Brisbane's premiership defence and facing a challenge to keep up with her younger teammates.

The Lions kicked off their pre-season campaign on Monday, and Lutkins was able to hold her own in the time trials.

Lutkins, a three-time All-Australian, was best on ground in Brisbane's 2021 grand final win over Adelaide, and looms as an important player as the Lions attempt to go back-to-back this year.

"She's pleasantly surprised me with where she's at with her running," Starcevich said on Monday.

"That was a really nice start by her today.

"Now it's getting the footy in the hand and recapturing what she was like in our first premiership year, which was best afield in the grand final and a dominant player in the competition

"It's a nice one to have back."

Lutkins could have easily retired last year, given her age and all she's achieved.

But the 2018 best and fairest winner is keen to keep driving Brisbane along.

"Kate's a competitor. She's a proud sportswoman and wants to contribute," Starcevich said.

"Good on her, she's back out there throwing her hand up for selection in our first team.

"One thing I know about (Lutkins) is she'll train her backside off and will want to be there when the whips are cracking."

 

[ZoBlitz]

Kate Lutkins opens up on long road back to Brisbane Lions after almost two years out

Remember Kate Lutkins?

The three-time AFLW All-Australian, 2018 Brisbane Lions best and fairest winner and 2021 premiership player?
Well, she’s back.

After 644 days on the sidelines, the 36 year old will take her place in the Brisbane backline on Sunday when the Lions host North Melbourne at Brighton Homes Arena.

The marquee match-up of the season-opening round pits last year’s grand finalists – and this year’s premiership favourites – against each other in a mouth-watering first-up meeting.

Topping the list of compelling storylines is the return of Lutkins, who last pulled on the boots almost two years ago in a losing grand final against Melbourne.

She watched her teammates avenge that defeat in December last year, upsetting the Kangaroos by 17 points to fly their second AFLW premiership flag.

Lutkins was in the stands that day, with her wife and eight-week-old daughter, Riley.

She sat out the entirety of the 2023 season while pregnant – a decision years in the making.

Now on the eve of her AFLW return, Lutkins is tackling the 2024 season with a new lease on her football life.
“It’s been quite a journey,” she told this masthead.

“A real game – a proper AFLW game. Whether it’s round one or a grand final, I don’t take any of them for granted now because you don’t know when your last one will be.

“I won’t let myself get too carried away in the emotions. I just feel privileged I get to be out there and play with the girls.”

Lutkins is not the first player to return following a pregnancy. But her story, with all its ups and downs, is well worth telling.

A serving member of the Australian Defence Force, for years she juggled her career in the ADF with the ever-expanding AFLW.

An inaugural Brisbane Lion, Lutkins lived and thrived through the club’s transient early years, earning All-Australian honours and playing in grand finals despite not having a home ground to call its own.

She will play her first official AFLW game at the club’s Brighton Homes Arena venue on Sunday. Another memorable moment.

 

[ZoBlitz]

Foundation Lion Calls Time On Career

Inaugural Lion, Kate Lutkins has announced her retirement from AFLW football following an eight-year career donning the maroon, blue and gold.

Winning the 2021 AFLW Grand Final best on ground in the Lions successful premiership campaign, Lutkins finishes her career with one of the best resume’s in Lions AFLW history.

The three-time All-Australian and 2018 Club best and fairest winner became a stalwart in the Lions back five forming a strong combination with current captain and fellow foundation Lion, Bre Koenen, and guiding Nat Grider through the early stages of her career.

“It’s been such an awesome career, I’m really thankful to have been part of this program, especially the last two years,” Lutkins said.

"In the last two seasons it has been personally rewarding to see everyone develop and grow exponentially.

“Even though I couldn’t break back into the side after round two this season, this year has made me a better person and I am beyond grateful.”

Playing the role of mentor for many of current Lions preparing for Saturday’s Grand Final, senior coach Craig Starcevich believes Lutkins has left an everlasting mark on the Lions AFLW program.

“We’ve lived the journey alongside Kate for the last nine years, watching her become not only an amazing footballer but a partner and now a mum has been incredibly,” Starcevich said.

“What Kate has done this season to mentor the young kids and others is a testament to her character to be such a good influence on this group.

“She will forever be remembered for her heroics on GF Day in 2021, which is indicative of all she has given to our club. We wish her all the best in the next chapter of her life.”

 

[ZoBlitz]

Kate Lutkins Confirmed As Lions 2024 AFLW Premiership Cup Presenter

Brisbane Lions 2021 AFLW premiership player and inaugural Lion, Kate Lutkins will present the 2024 AFLW Premiership Cup on Saturday night if the Lions are victorious against North Melbourne.

Lutkins, who announced her retirement on Tuesday, was chosen by the Club to present the Cup to coach Craig Starcevich and Captain Bre Koenen.

Brisbane Lions CEO, Greg Swann, praised Lutkins impact on the Lions AFLW program throughout her illustrious career.

“Kate has been one of the best to pull on a Lions guernsey and on the back of her recent retirement we see this as a great way to acknowledge her contribution to the game,” Swann said.

“Kate has been integral part of what we’ve built at this Club from an AFLW point of view and to have her present the Cup to Craig and Bre who have both been here for the whole journey would be a special moment for this footy Club.”

Key defender, Lutkins, who was awarded best on ground in the Lions 2021 Premiership win against Adelaide said she was thrilled to accept the honour.

“I feel incredibly honoured and humbled to be asked to present the cup to Brisbane if they win the Grand Final on Saturday,” Lutkins said.

“I think it will be one of my proudest football moments handing that cup to Bre and Craig if they win on Saturday.”

Kate Lutkins Bio

AFLW Playing career
2017-2024. Games: 52

AFLW premiership player (2021)
AFLW Best on Ground (2021)

3 x All Australian (2018, 2020, 2021)

Brisbane Lions Best and Fairest (2018)

QAFLW

Recruited from Yeronga South Brisbane / Wilston Grange

 

[ZoBlitz]

Lutsy's Emotional Farewell

Inaugural Lion, Kate Lutkins has announced her retirement from AFLW football following an eight-year career donning the maroon, blue and gold.

www.lions.com.au

 

[ZoBlitz]

Retirements 2024

As with all footy seasons we must farewell some of our favourites. Jade Pregelj and Kate Lutkins will be hanging up the boots.

www.lions.com.au