With rookie Paige Price ruled out of the upcoming AFLW Season through hip surgery, the Saints didn't have to turn far to find her replacement.

Southern Saints graduate Lucy Burke (who is of no relation to teammate Alice Burke) is far from a stranger around RSEA Park, having been a mainstay of the VFLW side in 2021.

The 23-year-old recently named at centre half-back in the 2021 VFLW Team of the Year, and earlier this year finished sixth at the club’s Best & Fairest.

Burke played all 16 matches for the Southern Saints – including two finals – in the season just gone, averaging 10 disposals and three rebound-50s per game.

Occupation: Student in Nursing at Victoria University, nanny (part-time)