Sport
2 September, 2025
Lauren Butler leads Magpies versus Demons
Former Carisbrook Lady Redbacks star Lauren Butler has achieved another significant milestone in her stellar AFLW career, captaining Collingwood for the first time in their nail-biting loss to Melbourne on Sunday.
Former Carisbrook Lady Redbacks star Lauren Butler has achieved another significant milestone in her stellar AFLW career, captaining Collingwood for the first time in their nail-biting loss to Melbourne on Sunday.
With Ruby Schleicher absent for the Magpies due to a concussion, the Maryborough product stepped up as captain against the Demons at Victoria Park.
It’s another landmark moment for Butler since her debut in 2019, playing her 50th game for the Magpies in their season opener against Carlton.
She became just the 11th Collingwood AFLW player to reach the milestone.
After registering one victory in 2024, Collingwood were desperate to build momentum following their win over the GWS Giants against a Melbourne side that started their season with back-to-back convincing wins over the Western Bulldogs and St Kilda.
The Magpies did a remarkable job of holding their own against the high-flying Demons in the first half, trailing by a point at half time.
After taking the lead for the first time early in the third quarter, the Magpies still trailed by four points at three-quarter time.
Collingwood rallied to draw level with Melbourne midway through the fourth quarter before Demons captain Kate Hore marked in the goal square and goaled to give her team a one-goal lead with two minutes to play.
The Magpies had the chance to steal the game after the siren, but Grace Campbell struck the post, denying Collingwood what would have been the upset of the season so far.
Following some injury-affected seasons, Butler has hit the ground running in 2025 and produced her best performance of the season so far on Sunday.
She recorded season highs in disposals (15), marks (three) and tackles (four), including a brilliant effort to stop a certain goal alongside Amber Schutte in the second quarter.