Twice the Glory, Twice the Hangtime: Schleicher’s Phenomenal Pair of Gravity-Defying Grabs Earn Her Dual AFLW Mark of the Year Nominations in a Season Fans Will Never Forget
In a season already brimming with standout moments and breathtaking athleticism, Ruby Schleicher has managed to etch her name in AFLW folklore — not once, but twice. The Collingwood star has stunned the football world with two sensational, high-flying marks that have both earned nominations for the coveted 2025 AFLW Mark of the Year.
It’s rare enough for a player to earn a single nomination in a season. But Schleicher, known for her composure in defence and elite aerial presence, has defied expectations — and gravity — with a pair of grabs that left fans, commentators, and even opposition players in awe.
The first nomination came in Round 4 against Fremantle, when Schleicher launched herself above a sprawling pack, eyes locked on the Sherrin as if nothing else in the world mattered. Hanging in the air for what felt like an eternity, she pulled down a clean, one-grab mark before crashing back to earth — and into highlight reels for weeks to come.
Then, as if one wasn’t enough, she delivered an encore in Round 8 against the Bulldogs. With the game hanging in the balance, she soared over her direct opponent with impossible timing, plucking the ball from the sky like it was magnetised to her hands. The crowd erupted, the commentary team lost their minds, and social media lit up with praise for the now back-to-back Mark of the Year contender.
Fans have long admired Schleicher’s courage and class, but this season she’s taken her game — and the bar for mark-taking — to dizzying new heights. Her fearless commitment, elite footy IQ, and uncanny ability to read the flight of the ball make her a nightmare for forwards and a dream for highlight producers.
Whether she takes home the final award or not, Ruby Schleicher has given AFLW fans two unforgettable moments that will be replayed, re-shared, and re-lived for years. In a competition that continues to grow in skill and spectacle, Schleicher’s twin takeoffs are a soaring reminder of just how thrilling the women’s game has become.
Two marks. One season. A legacy written in the sky.
