Ruby Schleicher's road to Collingwood captaincy hasn't always been an easy one

When Ruby Schleicher walked into Collingwood in 2016 as a wide-eyed 18-year-old, she never envisioned herself being captain one day.

After floating in and out of Collingwood's side early on in her career, Schleicher has ascended into arguably the club's best player.

"I don't think I would have pictured myself in this position. I don't think any of the girls that were in that 2017, 2018 team would've pictured it for me either," Schleicher told ABC Sport.

"I mean, I'm probably surprised that I've still got a gig in the black and white stripes, to be honest."

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Now 27 years old, Schleicher was taken at pick 144 by Collingwood in the inaugural women's draft, and made her debut in the very first game against Carlton at Princes Park.

"If you went back and watched that very first game, I'm pretty lucky I wasn't delisted after that one," Schleicher recalled.

"I reckon I was 30 per cent game time as a backup ruck for Emma King. Had a little run through the midfield as an inside mid as well.

"I think they were just chucking me wherever because they couldn't find a spot for me. Darcy Vescio kicked one on me in the goal square because I jumped in (defensive) 50, like I honestly had no idea."

In the years that followed, Schleicher eventually found a spot in defence in a star-studded side in the league that was also finding its feet.

In 2021, she made the All-Australian team as a halfback after leading the league for total intercept possessions and intercept marks, and three years after that, she took out Collingwood's best and fairest.

Ruby Schleicher was named captain ahead of the 2025 season taking over from veteran Bri Davey. (Getty: Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos)

This year, Schleicher was named captain ahead of the season, taking the reins from Brianna Davey.

"I've sort of come a long way, obviously, now in the privileged position to be able to lead the club," she said.

"But I think that's probably what's grown elements of my leadership as well, is that it hasn't been the perfect career for me.

"I've sort of been in and out of sides, consistently dropped the first sort of three, four years, a lot of injury-riddled seasons that have kept me out.

"Whether I've just played one game a season, or whatever it is, I've sort of done it all in that way.

" So, it sort of makes it that little bit sweeter when you sort of get into this position, and you look back on the last nine seasons, and you go, 'Yep, it hasn't been smooth, but it's very much shaped me as the player and the person that I am now.' "

While Schleicher led the team out for much of last year as Davey was sidelined with an injury, her first official run out and coin toss as skipper will be against Carlton next Thursday for the season opener.

Ruby Schleicher will lead her side out as captain against Carlton in the season opener. (Getty: Darrian Traynor)

The game is a hark back to the lockout game back in 2017 to kick off the 10th season. Last season, the Magpies finished bottom of the ladder with just the one win, while the Blues finished 14th.

"We've had the honour of doing it (the opener) for a few different years, and obviously it's chopped and changed over the years. But I think it's really fitting (for) the 10th season," Schleicher said.

"Such an iconic day; that first game in 2017 that I was really fortunate to be a part of. It feels right to go back to Ikon Park."

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Carlton will also be led out by a new captain, with Abbie McKay taking the reins as previous skipper Kerryn Peterson is currently on the club's inactive list as she expects her first child.

"Us and the Blues are two sides that were probably in similar positions," Schleicher said.

"Not really happy with the way that our seasons went, but with a lot of young talent that's come in and both (with) really bright, exciting futures.

"So it's sort of our first opportunity to be able to see how we go and just put a real stamp on this competition from game one."

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