St Kilda and Eagles make first signings

It is less than a year before St Kilda enters into the AFLW competition and they have made their first signing.

Ali Brown makes history as the first ever female footballer to sign with St Kilda Football Club.

The former Carlton player put pen to paper last week, realising a childhood dream for the life-long Saints fan.

“I was a little bit speechless when Pete (Peta Searle) and Jamie (Cox) told me,” Brown said.

“I’m super excited for the opportunity and just very grateful.

“I live just around the corner, so I remember coming and watching training here. It’s pretty unreal to be here now as a player."

West Coast Eagles also made their first signing in Mikayla Bowen. The 17-year-old has represented Western Australia at the NAB AFLW Under-18 Championships.

Gold Coast, Richmond, the Saints and Eagles can pre-list up to 10 players each up until the end of August ahead of joining the competition next year.

Setback for young Dee

Melbourne's first pick in the 2018 Draft, Tyla Hanks, faces the possibility of a delayed start to the season as she deals with bone bruising in her knee.

The midfielder suffered the injury in the late stages of the Demons' practice match two weeks ago.

"We're thinking possibly round two, but if everything goes well then round one (remains an option)," Hanks told melbournefc.com.au.

"I'll start running and see how I go. If there's no pain, I'll keep progressing.

"Pretty much two bones hit together, but (there was) no muscle or ligament damage so that was the most important thing to hear."