Sport
Keeley Skepper signs four-year extension at Carlton, Becky Webster ticks past 50 games
Shepparton United export Keeley Skepper has penned a monster new contract, binding her at AFLW club Carlton for well into the foreseeable future.
Skepper, a Benalla-born ex-United star, has inked a fresh deal at the Blues until the end of 2027, just more than a year on from her debut in round three of the 2022 season.
Carlton’s confidence vote in the 19-year-old also comes two months on from her September Rising Star nomination — the second of her career — to add to her impressive resume which includes a Rookie of the Year gong in 2022.
She has signed on the line alongside fellow Blue Keeley Sherar, with Carlton head of AFLW Ash Naulty glad to retain two clear future greats of the club.
“We have had a lot of change this year and to have two players who we see as key parts to the long-term future of the football club is a great reflection on the trust they have in the program and what we are building here at the Blues,” Naulty said.
“Keeley (Skepper) has come into her own this season. She is such a versatile player for us, with speed and agility when she is put out on the wing, but also has the composure and accuracy to play up forward if we need her to.”
Skepper played in nine of Carlton’s 10 matches this season, missing round seven through a hip injury.
The big-booted midfielder averaged 15.7 disposals and four tackles in the 2023 campaign, her best performance arriving in round three where she strung together 23 touches and three goals.
Skepper, alongside Sherar, caught the eye of Naulty as green talents who’ve taken the step up to the professional standard with consummate ease.
“We have all been impressed with both their development on the field this year and respect the way they carry themselves during the week, both in training and meetings,” Naulty said.
“Sometimes you forget how young they both are, they are well-respected and loved by their teammates and the staff here at Carlton.
“As well as being quality, hard-working footballers, both Keeleys are great fun to be around, they bring a lot of energy to our environment.
“We are excited to have these two young stars stick around for the next four years, we think the Carlton family is going to enjoy seeing them both continuing to grow before their eyes.”
Meanwhile, fellow Benalla export Becky Webster enagraved her name into the history books at the weekend.
Webster played her 50th AFLW game for Geelong during its 6.2 (38) to 5.4 (34) preliminary final loss to Brisbane on Saturday.
She becomes just the third Cat to reach the milestone, and is now five games behind Kyabram’s Julia Crockett-Grills, who went past 50 earlier in the season.