‘In other industries this would be viewed as discrimination’: Outcry as Suns cut pregnant player

November 11, 2026 — 2:43pm

Gold Coast have delisted AFLW player Georgia Clayden just weeks before she gives birth, casting a spotlight on the league’s maternity leave policy and support for pregnant and postpartum athletes.

On Tuesday, the Suns announced that Clayden and fellow player Sienna McMullen were informed they would not be offered contracts for the 2027 season.

“We’d like to thank them for their contributions to our club and wish them all the best in what’s next,” Gold Coast posted on Instagram.

Clayden, 31, debuted in 2022 and has played 44 games for the Suns. She was listed as inactive for the 2026 season due to her pregnancy with her first child.

Former AFLW player-turned-commentator Kate McCarthy said more needed to be done to protect and support AFLW players, and female athletes, who choose to become parents during their playing careers.

“A player should be able to make the incredible life decision to start a family without fearing it could come at the expense of their football career,” McCarthy posted on Instagram on Tuesday.

“There needs to be greater security and a genuine opportunity for players to return to the game after giving birth.”

North Melbourne premiership player Eilish Sheerin responded to McCarthy’s post. “So well said. In other industries this would be viewed as discrimination,” Sheerin wrote.

Less than a month ago, Gold Coast published a story on their website, celebrating Clayden’s pregnancy and hailing her for remaining “actively involved in the club’s football program”, having modified her training to safely participate while pregnant, with a focus on running, swimming and gym work.

“It still is hard because you watch, and we’re playing such good footy, and I’d love to be out there playing in that,” Clayden said in that interview.

“But I’ve learnt so much about other parts of the game while being inactive this season, and I’ve loved remaining involved as much as possible with the group. We’re playing really exciting football, and it’s a great environment to be a part of.”

Gold Coast were contacted for comment.

Clayden’s delisting just weeks before giving birth casts a spotlight on AFLW’s parental policy.

According to the AFL Players’ Association’s recent Insights report, which surveys the players, almost one in four AFLW players under 22 could see themselves taking time away from football to have a baby mid-career.

The current collective bargaining agreement states players are entitled to 12 months of paid parental leave, commencing six weeks before their due date. Clubs can place players on an inactive list, and can request an extra list spot from the AFL for a replacement player for another year.

The CBA also allows for players returning from pregnancy to come off the inactive list at any point.

However, there are a number of ongoing holes.

Players whose contracts expire during pregnancy or parental leave do not have an automatic right to a new contract – which creates career uncertainty at a vulnerable time.

Small AFLW list sizes also amplify pressure on players and clubs to make return-to-play decisions before players are ready – and create complications when parental leave and pre-season timelines don’t align.

Last December, Carlton told former captain Kerryn Peterson she would not be offered a contract for 2026, just months after giving birth to her first child.

Peterson gave birth to her son, Max, last August and relinquished the captaincy to Abbie McKay before sitting out the season.

Complications and grey areas around maternity leave and postpartum recovery in professional sport are not exclusive to the AFLW.

Super Netball players Emily Mannix (Melbourne Vixens) and Maddy Proud (NSW Swift) both gave birth last year, both working tirelessly postpartum to return to the court and play in 2026.

At the end of the Super Netball season this year, the Vixens announced Mannix would depart the club “at the conclusion of her contract”.

“Although I’m disappointed I have to say goodbye to the club I started with 12 years ago, I am so grateful that it happened, and so proud of all I’ve achieved,” Mannix posted on Instagram in response to the announcement.

From our partners