Gold Coast Suns delists AFLW star Georgia Clayden weeks before childbirth
Gold Coast delisted Clayden while almost 39 weeks pregnant, sparking accusations that AFLW lacks real protections for pregnant players.
The Gold Coast Suns delisted AFLW player Georgia Clayden this week while she is almost 39 weeks pregnant. Just three weeks earlier, the club posted on social media that she remained "still very much part of the team" and was training with modifications.
Clayden spent the entire 2026 AFLW season on the inactive list while pregnant. AFLW players get 12 months of paid parental leave from six weeks before their due date.
But players whose contracts expire face no guarantee of renewal during or after pregnancy. AFLW lists contain only 30 spots compared to 44 in the men's league.
This limits flexibility. Other female athletes called the move discriminatory.
Former AFLW players questioned whether both clubs and players need greater protections ahead of negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement in 2027.
- 31
- Clayden's age
- 39 weeks
- Pregnancy stage
- 12 months
- Paid parental leave
- 30 versus 44 in men's
- AFLW list spots
Why it mattersThe delisting exposes gaps in AFLW pregnancy protections and could force the league to strengthen job security for pregnant players.
AustraliaAFLW players in Australia now lack guaranteed employment when contracts expire during pregnancy; this case may force policy change across professional women's footy.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 d ago
