The Cats have anointed a new leader for 2022, with Bree Beckley to take over the reins as VFLW captain.

Following the retirement of Michelle Fedele, 2021 leadership group member Beckley has been given the nod as her successor, as the Cats look to again contend for a finals berth this year.

It is a new-look leadership group for the Cats in 2022, with three new leaders named to support Beckley.

Greater Western Victoria Rebels graduate Chloe Leonard – who impressed in her six rebel VFLW games last season – has been rewarded for her growth as a player and leader, named as the vice-captain.

The 20-year-old was co-captain at the Rebels, and has impressed in her first overage pre-season.

Former AFLW-listed Cats Maddie Boyd and Mia Skinner round out the leadership group, named as deputy vice-captains.

All four players have been train-on players for the Cats’ AFLW side this season.

Beckley, who has previously captained netball sides and is in her second year in a leadership role at the Cats, said she was thrilled to be named as skipper for the Cats.

“I don’t know how to feel to be honest – I’m a bit speechless,” she said.

“It’s great to have the support of the team and the girls and the coaches and staff, so I’m just super excited to lead the girls, and hopefully we can get some wins on the board.

“It’s such a super leadership group. Chloe is so young and brings such energy and voice to the team … she’ll definitely provide some good energy on game days.

“Maddie and ‘Skin’ – Mia – they’re experienced in footy, they’ve been around it for such a long time, coming from the AFLW and setting the training standards for the girls.”

Cats VFLW senior coach Andrew Bruce said the group were four very different but complementary leaders, and had been excellent at setting the standard over the pre-season.

“I love the leadership group – Bree was deputy vice-captain last year, (and) really stepped up over the pre-season,” he said.

“She’s been fantastic, really led the group well. Everything that she says is really on point. She’s had the opportunity also to be within the AFLW train-on group, which has also enhanced her abilities as well, but (she is) a clear leader amongst our group.

“(Chloe is) a natural, an absolute natural leader. She’s done it at NAB league level and I think Vic Country level as well. She’s absolutely brilliant; the standards she sets on the track are absolutely outstanding, and all the other girls follow her.”

Boyd and Skinner have brought great insights and standards, having been in the AFLW system.

Boyd played across three AFLW clubs (Melbourne, Greater Western Sydney and Geelong), while Skinner was on the Cats’ list for two seasons.

“(They’re) really experienced, but they’re just quality people,” Bruce said.

“They lead in different ways – Maddie Boyd is really quiet, but when she speaks, everybody stops and listens and it’s exactly what we need at a particular time. The way she takes on different roles for us, she just does it without question and she’s a true leader amongst our team.

“And Mia, it’s just a great story for her to get back and play at a really high level for us. Again, throughout the pre-season, has led extremely well out on the track and is really instructive to the group and gets what we’re trying to do and is really happy to almost try to mentor girls out there.”

The Cats’ VFLW season begins on Saturday, when they take on the Carlton Blues from 2pm at Deakin University Elite Sports Precinct.