Ruby Schleicher
{{short description|Australian rules footballer}}
{{Use Australian English|date=November 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2017}}
{{Infobox AFL biography
| name = Ruby Schleicher
| image = Ruby Schleicher 2018.1.jpg
| caption = Schleicher playing for Collingwood's VFLW team in 2018
| fullname = Ruby Jayne Schleicher{{Cite news|title=AFLW Pocket Profile: Ruby Schleicher|url=https://www.afl.com.au/aflw/news/1263837/aflw-pocket-profile-ruby-schleicher|website=AFL Women's|location=Melbourne|last=Welsh|first=Sophie|date=28 December 2024|access-date=14 April 2025}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1998|03|16|df=y}}
| birth_place =
| originalteam = {{WAFLW|EF}} (WAWFL)
| draftpick = No. 137, 2016 national draft
| debutdate = Round 1, 2017
| debutteam = {{AFLW|Col}}
| debutopponent = {{AFLW|Car}}
| debutstadium = Ikon Park
| height = 175cm
| position = Defender
| currentclub = {{AFLW|Col}}
| guernsey = 18
| years1 = 2017–
| club1 = {{AFLW|Col}}
| games_goals1 = 64 (4)
| statsend = the 2024 season
| careerhighlights =
}}
Ruby Jayne Schleicher ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|s|l|aɪ|ʃ|ə|r}} {{respell|SLY|shər}};{{Cite web|url=https://www.womens.afl/video/83418/-it-s-simple-when-you-break-it-down-how-to-say-the-aflw-s-trickiest-names|title='It's simple when you break it down': How to say the AFLW's trickiest names|publisher=AFL Women's|date=3 February 2022|access-date=17 August 2023|archive-date=17 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230817102145/https://www.womens.afl/video/83418/-it-s-simple-when-you-break-it-down-how-to-say-the-aflw-s-trickiest-names|url-status=live}} born 16 March 1998) is an Australian rules footballer playing for the Collingwood Football Club in the AFL Women's (AFLW). Schleicher is a dual AFL Women's All-Australian and won the Collingwood best and fairest award in 2024.
Early life and state football
As a junior basketball player with the Willetton Tigers, Schleicher won the Western Australian Basketball League (WABL) Female Player of the Year award in 2014.{{cite web|url=http://basketballwa.asn.au/blog/2014/09/09/2014-basketball-wa-award-winners/|title=2014 Basketball WA Award Winners|publisher=Basketball WA|date=9 September 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171025082203/http://basketballwa.asn.au/blog/2014/09/09/2014-basketball-wa-award-winners/|archive-date=25 October 2017}} She also represented the under-16 and the under-18 Western Australian Metropolitan teams.{{cite web|url=http://websites.sportstg.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=1-5920-0-0-0&sID=85311&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=24488739|title=U/16 AJC - Day Five Update|publisher=WABL.asn.au|date=11 July 2013|access-date=26 November 2017|archive-date=1 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201041905/http://websites.sportstg.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=1-5920-0-0-0&sID=85311&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=24488739|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://pickandroll.com.au/2015-u18s-ajc-day-3-recap/|title=2015 Australian U18s Nationals Day 3 Recap – NSW Metro Men remain undefeated|first=Olgun|last=Uluc|publisher=The Pick and Roll|date=14 April 2015|access-date=26 November 2017|archive-date=25 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240825212312/https://pickandroll.com.au/p/2015-u18s-ajc-day-3-recap|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://basketball.net.au/u18s-kevin-coombs-cup-recap-day-5/|title=U18s & Kevin Coombs Cup Recap - Day 5|publisher=Basketball Australia|date=16 April 2015|access-date=26 November 2017|archive-date=1 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201031847/http://basketball.net.au/u18s-kevin-coombs-cup-recap-day-5/|url-status=live}} She was on the way to receiving a basketball scholarship at an American college, before breaking a vertebra playing and half-a-year later breaking one on the other side while surfing, which as a result of the college decided not to risk her.{{cite web|url=http://www.collingwoodfc.com.au/news/2017-12-06/schleichers-lucky-break|title=Schleicher's lucky break|first=Sarah|last=Black|work={{AFL Col}}|publisher=Telstra Media|date=6 December 2017}}
In 2015, Schleicher was named in the Western Australian squad for the AFL Youth Girls National Championships.{{cite web|url=http://www.effc.com.au/news/8264/5-sharks-named-in-state-squad|title=5 Sharks named in State Squad|publisher=East Fremantle|date=1 May 2015|access-date=26 November 2017|archive-date=1 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201043509/http://www.effc.com.au/news/8264/5-sharks-named-in-state-squad|url-status=live}} In 2016, she played with the WA Youth Girls team who made the Grand Final, before getting the opportunity to play senior football for her local WAWFL club East Fremantle. In her last game of the year she was the starting ruck for East Fremantle in the Grand Final.{{cite web|url=http://www.collingwoodfc.com.au/news/2016-10-12/pickbypick-afl-womens-draft|title=Pick-by-pick: AFL Women's draft|first1=Josh|last1=Schönafinger|first2=Sam|last2=Gastin|work={{AFL Col}}|publisher=Telstra Media|date=12 October 2016|access-date=26 November 2017|archive-date=1 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201031325/http://www.collingwoodfc.com.au/news/2016-10-12/pickbypick-afl-womens-draft|url-status=live}}
In the winter during the off-season between the 2017 and 2018 AFLW seasons, Schleicher decided to stay in Melbourne and play in the VFLW with the St Kilda Sharks.{{cite web|url=http://websites.sportstg.com/assoc_page.cgi?client=1-118-0-436949-0&sID=60264&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=55017326|title=PREVIEW: Eastern Devils v St Kilda Sharks|publisher=Sports TG|date=1 May 2017|access-date=26 November 2017|archive-date=1 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201040234/http://websites.sportstg.com/assoc_page.cgi?client=1-118-0-436949-0&sID=60264&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=55017326|url-status=live}} She debuted with the St Kilda Sharks in their round 1 match against Eastern Devils, winning by one point.{{cite web|url=http://websites.sportstg.com/assoc_page.cgi?client=1-118-10459-437832-0&sID=60264&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=55279248|title=VFL Women's recap: Round 1|publisher=Sports TG|date=9 May 2017|access-date=26 November 2017|archive-date=1 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201032546/http://websites.sportstg.com/assoc_page.cgi?client=1-118-10459-437832-0&sID=60264&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=55279248|url-status=live}}
AFL Women's career
Schleicher was selected by {{AFLW|Col}} with pick 144, joining 22 other West Australians drafted in the inaugural AFL Women's draft,{{cite web|url=http://www.wafootball.com.au/news/11496/23-wa-players-selected-in-afl-womens-draft|title=23 WA players selected in AFL Women's Draft|publisher=West Australian Football Commission|date=12 October 2016|access-date=26 November 2017|archive-date=25 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240825212433/https://wafootball.com.au/news/11496/23-wa-players-selected-in-afl-womens-draft|url-status=live}} and was the youngest player drafted by Collingwood. She made her debut in round 1, 2017, in the inaugural AFLW match at IKON Park against {{AFLW|Car}}.{{cite web|title=Match Centre - Carlton vs. Collingwood|url=http://www.afl.com.au/womens/matches/match-centre?matchid=100640101&competitionid=10064|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204063747/http://www.afl.com.au/womens/matches/match-centre?matchid=100640101&competitionid=10064|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 February 2017|work=AFL|publisher=Telstra Media|date=3 February 2017}}
Collingwood re-signed Schleicher for the 2018 season during the trade period in May 2017.{{cite web|title=AFLW: All the clubs' full lists after trade period|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-05-26/aflw-all-the-clubs-full-lists-after-trade-period|work=AFL|publisher=Telstra Media|date=26 May 2017|access-date=26 November 2017|archive-date=30 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170530034636/http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-05-26/aflw-all-the-clubs-full-lists-after-trade-period|url-status=live}}
Collingwood re-signed Schleicher for the 2019 season during the trade period in June 2018.{{cite web|url=http://www.collingwoodfc.com.au/news/2018-06-04/aflw-pies-pocket-early-picks|title=AFLW: Pies pocket early picks|first=Meagan|last=Lechucki|website={{AFL Col}}|publisher=Telstra Media|date=4 June 2018|access-date=4 June 2018|archive-date=8 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180608001510/http://www.collingwoodfc.com.au/news/2018-06-04/aflw-pies-pocket-early-picks|url-status=dead}}
In the 2021 AFL Women's season, Schleicher was awarded with her maiden All-Australian blazer, named on the half back position.{{cite web|title=REVEALED: The 2021 AFLW All-Australian team|url=https://womens.afl/news/71754/revealed-the-2021-aflw-all-australian-team|date=20 April 2021|access-date=21 June 2021|work=womens.afl|archive-date=20 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420100927/https://womens.afl/news/71754/revealed-the-2021-aflw-all-australian-team|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Two AFLW greats reach footy immortality as All-Australian squad revealed|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-2021-aflw-all-australian-side-full-squad-captain-best-players-brianna-davey-karen-paxman-emma-kearney/news-story/0868ae4c3280c39a18aea11e794fe2ca|work=womens.afl|date=20 April 2021|access-date=21 June 2021|last1=Zita|first1=David|archive-date=12 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512202918/https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-2021-aflw-all-australian-side-full-squad-captain-best-players-brianna-davey-karen-paxman-emma-kearney/news-story/0868ae4c3280c39a18aea11e794fe2ca|url-status=live}} It was revealed Schleicher had signed on with Collingwood for two years on 10 June 2021.{{cite web|title=AFLW: Collingwood secure top 10 talent|url=https://www.collingwoodfc.com.au/news/956166/collingwood-secure-top-10-talent|work=collingwoodfc.com.au|date=11 June 2021|access-date=11 June 2021|last1=Lewis|first1=Tash|archive-date=10 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210610223719/https://www.collingwoodfc.com.au/news/956166/collingwood-secure-top-10-talent|url-status=live}} Schleicher achieved selection in Champion Data's 2021 AFLW All-Star stats team, after leading the league for total intercept possessions and intercept marks in the 2021 season.{{cite web|title=All-Star stats team: Shock leaders, lone Lion makes the cut|url=https://womens.afl/news/72761/all-star-stats-team-shock-leaders-lone-lion-makes-the-cut|work=womens.afl|access-date=19 June 2021|date=19 June 2021|last1=Black|first1=Sarah|archive-date=19 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210619000718/https://womens.afl/news/72761/all-star-stats-team-shock-leaders-lone-lion-makes-the-cut|url-status=live}}
In 2024, Schleicher was named among Collingwood's best players in losses to Sydney in week 1{{cite news|last=Pegan|first=Martin|title=Slick Swans too good for Magpies in fiery season-opener|url=https://www.afl.com.au/aflw/news/1207736/slick-sydney-swans-too-good-for-collingwood-magpies-in-fiery-season-opener|website=afl.com.au|date=30 August 2024|access-date=1 September 2024}} and West Coast in one of week 4's matches,{{cite news|last=McWilliams|first=Phoebe|author-link=Phoebe McWilliams|title=Eagles reach new heights as winless Pies dealt another blow|url=https://www.afl.com.au/aflw/news/1222638/west-coast-eagles-reach-new-heights-as-winless-collingwood-magpies-suffer-another-injury-blow-with-bri-davey|website=afl.com.au|date=17 September 2024|access-date=22 September 2024}} and was Collingwood's best player in its other week 4 loss to the Western Bulldogs.{{cite news|last=Black|first=Sarah|title=Bulldogs record thumping first win, Pies slump to last|url=https://www.afl.com.au/aflw/news/1227016/aflw-collingwood-v-western-bulldogs-match-report|website=afl.com.au|date=22 September 2024|access-date=22 September 2024}}
Statistics
Updated to the end of the 2024 season.{{cite web|title=Ruby Schleicher – player stats by season|url=https://australianfootball.com/players/playerseason/Ruby+Schleicher/19862|publisher=Australian Football|access-date=30 August 2024}}
{{Australian rules football statistics legend}}
{{AFLW player statistics start}}
|-
| 2017 || {{AFLW|Col}} || 18
| 5 || 0 || 0 || 9 || 6 || 15 || 0 || 15 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 1.8 || 1.2 || 3.0 || 0.0 || 3.0 || 0
|-
| 2018 || {{AFLW|Col}} || 18
| 5 || 0 || 0 || 14 || 6 || 20 || 6 || 9 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 2.8 || 1.2 || 4.0 || 1.2 || 1.8 || 0
|-
| 2019 || {{AFLW|Col}} || 18
| 6 || 0 || 0 || 23 || 13 || 36 || 9 || 8 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 3.8 || 2.2 || 6.0 || 1.5 || 1.3 || 0
|-
| 2020 || {{AFLW|Col}} || 18
| 2 || 0 || 0 || 8 || 3 || 11 || 1 || 2 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 4.0 || 1.5 || 5.5 || 0.5 || 1.0 || 0
|-
| 2021 || {{AFLW|Col}} || 18
| 11 || 2 || 0 || 115 || 62 || 177 || 46 || 29 || 0.2 || 0.0 || 10.5 || 5.6 || 16.1 || 4.2 || 2.6 || 2
|-
| 2022 (S6) || {{AFLW|Col}} || 18
| 11 || 1 || 0 || 115 || 83 || 198 || 54 || 35 || 0.1 || 0.0 || 10.5 || 7.5 || 18.0 || 4.9 || 3.2 || 6
|-
| 2022 (S7) || {{AFLW|Col}} || 18
| 11 || 0 || 1 || 116 || 54 || 170 || 35 || 48 || 0.0 || 0.1 || 10.5 || 4.9 || 15.5 || 3.2 || 4.4 || 3
|-
| 2023 || {{AFLW|Col}} || 18
| 2 || 0 || 0 || 14 || 7 || 21 || 4 || 7 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 7.0 || 3.5 || 10.5 || 2.0 || 3.5 || 0
|-
| 2024 || {{AFLW|Col}} || 18
| 11 || 1 || 2 || 92 || 90 || 182 || 19 || 48 || 0.1 || 0.2 || 8.4 || 8.2 || 16.5 || 1.7 || 4.4 || 1
|- class=sortbottom
! colspan=3 | Career
! 64 !! 4 !! 3 !! 506 !! 324 !! 830 !! 174 !! 201 !! 0.1 !! 0.0 !! 7.9 !! 5.1 !! 13.0 !! 2.7 !! 3.1 !! 12
|}
Honours and achievements
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{Collplayer}}
- {{AustralianFootball|ref=Ruby+Schleicher/19862}}
- {{Instagram|id=ruby_slysh}}
{{Collingwood AFL Women's player squad}}
{{2021 AFL Women's All-Australian team}}
{{2022 AFL Women's season 6 All-Australian team}}
{{Collingwood best and fairest (AFL Women's)}}
{{Inaugural Collingwood AFL Women's team}}
{{2016 AFL Women's draft}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Schleicher, Ruby}}
Category:Collingwood Football Club (AFLW) players
Category:Australian rules footballers from Perth, Western Australia