Alongside embracing her first season as a Gold Coast SUN, AFLW star Anne Hatchard is relishing her newest role, mum.

Since making the move north ahead of the 2026 AFLW season, the three-time premiership player has settled into life on the Gold Coast with her wife Georgie and now eight-month-old daughter, Dallas.

“I've been really enjoying footy this year, being here in a different environment with a great group of girls and it makes it even better that I get to be a mum as well,” the 28-year-old shared.

“Moving states with a seven-week-old and our two dogs was hectic at first. We were like, what have we done?

“But I was so welcomed and the girls have been amazing. I love how invested they are in Dallas too, they are so excited whenever she's around and when she does travel, it's just so fun.”

The former Adelaide Crow is set to return to Unley Oval in new colours for the first time this Saturday and will have her young family cheering her on.

“Whenever it's easy enough for them to come travel, I love them coming,” Hatchard said.

“Even the other week when I kicked a goal, I gave a little love heart to them and a little celebration.

“I'm just so proud I get to do this in front of Georgie and Dallas and hopefully maybe one day Dallas wants to play football.

“I've already started throwing a little soft football at her and when I put a few toys down now, she does go for the football.”

While balancing the demands of AFLW football and motherhood comes with its challenges, Dallas’ arrival has given Hatchard a fresh perspective both on and off the field.

“Juggling the two has its ups and downs. It can be hard sometimes, but I'm so happy to be a mum and just seeing our little family grow, it's the best thing ever,” the new mum added.

“I just work around it. You know sometimes you’re not going to sleep as much, sometimes things don't go to plan, but it's also been a positive for me because I am a lot more chill with things if things don't go my way. 

“I used to be very regimental, have to do this and this, but now it's like, whatever happens, just let it flow.

“I always come home and Dallas is there and it's like, okay I’ve got to take care of this little human and there's so much more to worry about than a kick I missed or a handball I didn’t get or a tackle I missed.

“I’m a mum now and I’ve just got to do everything I can to give Dallas the best life.”

Having once looked up to former teammate and current General Manager of Women’s Football Erin Phillips navigating motherhood as an elite athlete, Hatchard now finds herself embracing a similar journey.

“I kind of idolised Erin and then seeing her with her family, I was like how do you do it?! And now I'm in that position. It’s kind of insane, I was this 18 year old kid who probably thought that one day that would be me as well,” Hatchard reflected.

“Everyone is like how did you know you were ready to be a mum? You're not ready until it's there and you just have to be ready. You just don't know what to expect.

“It’s been the best thing for us. Georgie is an amazing mum and just watching her, the instinct she has for Dallas, it’s incredible and I’ve learned so much from her. I hope that we'll have many more kids.

“Being a mum has literally been the best thing in my life. So, I would say if you if you want to be a mum, definitely go for it if you can.

 “It is the best feeling you can have. Especially around football clubs too, the environment and watching your kid grow up with something special like this is just awesome.”

Secure your SUNS Pride Guernsey and cheer on Hatchard when she returns to Unley Oval, Adelaide to face the Crows in SUNS colours. First bounce gets underway at 12:05pm AEST. Stream the match via Fox Footy, Kayo and Binge.