AFLW star Tilly Lucas-Rodd ‘so happy' after gender-affirming top surgery
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFLW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
AFLW star Tilly Lucas-Rodd has revealed they are 'so happy' and feel so much like themselves after having gender-affirming top surgery during the off-season.
The 29-year-old Hawthorn star is the league's first current player to undergo the surgery - which removes breast tissue in a similar way to a double mastectomy - and said they feel so much more comfortable.
'People often have asked me, 'How do I feel now that I've had it' - post-surgery, seeing myself,' Lucas-Rodd, who identifies as non-binary, told ABC Sport.
'... for me, it was like, 'this is how I've always looked when I saw myself' … This is what I've always thought and always seen internally.'
AFLW star Tilly Lucas-Rodd says they are 'so happy' after undergoing gender affirming top surgery. Picture: Instagram/tillylr
Prior to the surgery, Lucas-Rodd was taping or binding their chest and wearing a guernsey multiple sizes too large in order to reduce dysphoria.
This practice however, was causing issues, sometimes restricting breathing and movement, and creating back pain.
Since returning to training, however, Lucas-Rodd said they are relishing the freedom of not needing a sports bra or chest bindings.
'Going out onto the track in our training guernseys or our singlets, I just feel so, so happy and so just like me,' they said.
'I had huge discomfort around my chest, huge dysphoria. It didn't match up with what I felt internally I should look like.'
The halfback came out publicly as non-binary in 2023, saying at the time that they 'don't really identify strongly as my assigned gender at birth, which is female.'
'I don't really feel strongly that I fit into that label as a female, and at the same time I don't feel like I'm a male, either. I guess I'm in between that,' they said in a video shared on the Hawthorn website.
'So for me, the label 'non-binary' feels most comfortable about how I identify in terms of my gender.'
Lucas-Rodd said they feel more comfortable and like themselves since returning to training. Picture: Instagram/tillylr
The Hawthorn player identifies as non-binary. Picture: Instagram/tillylr
Two other AFLW players, Carlton star Darcy Vescio and former Gold Coast player Tori Groves-Little, also identify as non-binary, and two former players have undergone gender-reaffirming top surgery since leaving the league.
Lucas-Rodd spoke to their Hawthorn teammates about the surgery when returning to training and said they were met with 'such love and acceptance'.
While opening themselves up to public commentary by sharing their story has been nerve-racking, Lucas-Rodd said they hope to help others in a similar position.
'It's also to show gender diverse and trans people that there is a place for them in sport,' they said.
'Coming out publicly with top surgery, people will say and do what they want, but I'm trying to show people that no matter what gender you are, no matter how you express that, no matter anything about you, that you belong in sport and you belong in sport at a professional and elite level.
'That's a big thing for me … being like regardless of your gender and how you express that, there is this place for you in sport.'
Since sharing their ABC Sport interview on Instagram, Lucas-Rodd has recieved many messages of support, including from Aussie musician G Flip who said, 'Hells yeah Tilly,' and Wentworth star Zoe Terakes, who shared a series of strong arm and love heart emojis.
Originally published as AFLW star Tilly Lucas-Rodd 'so happy' after gender-affirming top surgery
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Perth Now
an hour ago
- Perth Now
Fiorini in the clear for collision with Demons defender
Brayden Fiorini has been cleared over an incident that concussed Melbourne's Harrison Petty. (Dave Hunt/AAP PHOTOS) Credit: AAP Gold Coast's Brayden Fiorini has been cleared of any wrongdoing for the incident that concussed Melbourne's Harrison Petty, but the AFL will be splashing in the cash after 22 fines were handed out across two games. Fiorini clashed with Petty as the pair contested a loose ball, with both players putting their head over the ball. "It was the view of the MRO that Fiorini genuinely contests the ball and it was reasonable for him to contest in that way. No further action was taken," the MRO said in a statement. Melbourne defender Steven May escaped sanction for his high hit on Suns forward Ben Ainsworth, but 12 players were fined for the ensuing melee. Demons star Kysaiah Pickett was fined for striking Noah Anderson. Seven players were also fined from the North Melbourne-Hawthorn clash for a range of offences,
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Miserly Melbourne inflict major misery on Cronulla
Melbourne have dumped Cronulla out of the NRL top eight with a gritty 30-6 victory but Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon wasn't fazed by the ladder fall. The Storm maintained their unbeaten home record this season as the two teams' spicy rivalry continued in their Sunday afternoon match at AAMI Park. The scoreline was 12-6 until the 64th minute when centre Nick Meaney crossed for the home side's third try after some brilliant lead-up work by back-rower Eli Katoa and Jahrome Hughes. The home side then kicked away, scoring another two tries to bank a commanding win and send the Sharks tumbling from sixth to 10th on the ladder. After his side gave up a 28-12 second-half lead to crash to Brisbane last round, Fitzgibbon wasn't happy to lose to Melbourne but was satisfied with his players' effort. "The scoreline looks like we just got dusted pretty hard and we can't hide from that and we won't," the coach said. "We wanted to see some spirit ... that was the most pleasing part in a disappointing loss. "We conceded tries from execution or attention to detail, not from not turning up; so a big difference. "Scoreline still hurts, but it's a big difference." Katoa and Hughes combined for three of Melbourne's tries, with the Tongan international scoring the opener after running through a hole off a perfect pass from his halfback. Sua Fa'alogo then had the 21,000-strong crowd on their feet when Sharks halfback Nicho Hynes attempted to bat a ball on that landed in the arms of the exciting young winger. The 22-year-old pocket rocket sprinted 90 metres downfield, outpacing Cronulla fullback Will Kennedy to score. However, in the dying minutes of the match Fa'alogo appearing to suffer a hamstring injury when he was clipped while making another 50-metre dash. Storm coach Craig Bellamy said he wasn't sure of the severity of the issue, with his livewire player still "doing a jig" in the sheds as he sang the team song post match. "We're hoping it's a cramp, but it looked a little bit worse than that when he actually buckled out there," Bellamy said. "We'll get a scan tomorrow and see where he's at." While Fa'alogo was a constant attacking threat, he let a Hughes bomb bounce over his head and into the arms of Braydon Trindall, who dived over the line for the Sharks' sole try late in the first half. Some poor discipline, silly errors and a touch of bad luck then started to take a toll on the Sharks, and the ruthless Storm made them pay. Katoa twice out-leapt Kennedy to set up tries for Meaney and Hughes, before Queensland Origin forward Trent Loiero iced the win with a try. Bellamy agreed the scoreline flattered his team but was satisfied with the performance. "I'm really happy with how we played and the way we went about our work today," he said. "The score flattered us a little bit, but I thought our defence today was outstanding and that's one thing that really pleased me." Melbourne have dumped Cronulla out of the NRL top eight with a gritty 30-6 victory but Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon wasn't fazed by the ladder fall. The Storm maintained their unbeaten home record this season as the two teams' spicy rivalry continued in their Sunday afternoon match at AAMI Park. The scoreline was 12-6 until the 64th minute when centre Nick Meaney crossed for the home side's third try after some brilliant lead-up work by back-rower Eli Katoa and Jahrome Hughes. The home side then kicked away, scoring another two tries to bank a commanding win and send the Sharks tumbling from sixth to 10th on the ladder. After his side gave up a 28-12 second-half lead to crash to Brisbane last round, Fitzgibbon wasn't happy to lose to Melbourne but was satisfied with his players' effort. "The scoreline looks like we just got dusted pretty hard and we can't hide from that and we won't," the coach said. "We wanted to see some spirit ... that was the most pleasing part in a disappointing loss. "We conceded tries from execution or attention to detail, not from not turning up; so a big difference. "Scoreline still hurts, but it's a big difference." Katoa and Hughes combined for three of Melbourne's tries, with the Tongan international scoring the opener after running through a hole off a perfect pass from his halfback. Sua Fa'alogo then had the 21,000-strong crowd on their feet when Sharks halfback Nicho Hynes attempted to bat a ball on that landed in the arms of the exciting young winger. The 22-year-old pocket rocket sprinted 90 metres downfield, outpacing Cronulla fullback Will Kennedy to score. However, in the dying minutes of the match Fa'alogo appearing to suffer a hamstring injury when he was clipped while making another 50-metre dash. Storm coach Craig Bellamy said he wasn't sure of the severity of the issue, with his livewire player still "doing a jig" in the sheds as he sang the team song post match. "We're hoping it's a cramp, but it looked a little bit worse than that when he actually buckled out there," Bellamy said. "We'll get a scan tomorrow and see where he's at." While Fa'alogo was a constant attacking threat, he let a Hughes bomb bounce over his head and into the arms of Braydon Trindall, who dived over the line for the Sharks' sole try late in the first half. Some poor discipline, silly errors and a touch of bad luck then started to take a toll on the Sharks, and the ruthless Storm made them pay. Katoa twice out-leapt Kennedy to set up tries for Meaney and Hughes, before Queensland Origin forward Trent Loiero iced the win with a try. Bellamy agreed the scoreline flattered his team but was satisfied with the performance. "I'm really happy with how we played and the way we went about our work today," he said. "The score flattered us a little bit, but I thought our defence today was outstanding and that's one thing that really pleased me." Melbourne have dumped Cronulla out of the NRL top eight with a gritty 30-6 victory but Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon wasn't fazed by the ladder fall. The Storm maintained their unbeaten home record this season as the two teams' spicy rivalry continued in their Sunday afternoon match at AAMI Park. The scoreline was 12-6 until the 64th minute when centre Nick Meaney crossed for the home side's third try after some brilliant lead-up work by back-rower Eli Katoa and Jahrome Hughes. The home side then kicked away, scoring another two tries to bank a commanding win and send the Sharks tumbling from sixth to 10th on the ladder. After his side gave up a 28-12 second-half lead to crash to Brisbane last round, Fitzgibbon wasn't happy to lose to Melbourne but was satisfied with his players' effort. "The scoreline looks like we just got dusted pretty hard and we can't hide from that and we won't," the coach said. "We wanted to see some spirit ... that was the most pleasing part in a disappointing loss. "We conceded tries from execution or attention to detail, not from not turning up; so a big difference. "Scoreline still hurts, but it's a big difference." Katoa and Hughes combined for three of Melbourne's tries, with the Tongan international scoring the opener after running through a hole off a perfect pass from his halfback. Sua Fa'alogo then had the 21,000-strong crowd on their feet when Sharks halfback Nicho Hynes attempted to bat a ball on that landed in the arms of the exciting young winger. The 22-year-old pocket rocket sprinted 90 metres downfield, outpacing Cronulla fullback Will Kennedy to score. However, in the dying minutes of the match Fa'alogo appearing to suffer a hamstring injury when he was clipped while making another 50-metre dash. Storm coach Craig Bellamy said he wasn't sure of the severity of the issue, with his livewire player still "doing a jig" in the sheds as he sang the team song post match. "We're hoping it's a cramp, but it looked a little bit worse than that when he actually buckled out there," Bellamy said. "We'll get a scan tomorrow and see where he's at." While Fa'alogo was a constant attacking threat, he let a Hughes bomb bounce over his head and into the arms of Braydon Trindall, who dived over the line for the Sharks' sole try late in the first half. Some poor discipline, silly errors and a touch of bad luck then started to take a toll on the Sharks, and the ruthless Storm made them pay. Katoa twice out-leapt Kennedy to set up tries for Meaney and Hughes, before Queensland Origin forward Trent Loiero iced the win with a try. Bellamy agreed the scoreline flattered his team but was satisfied with the performance. "I'm really happy with how we played and the way we went about our work today," he said. "The score flattered us a little bit, but I thought our defence today was outstanding and that's one thing that really pleased me."
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
The 5000-day curse broken by netball's Thunderbirds
The Adelaide Thunderbirds have bounced back into the Super Netball top four, kept their three-peat dream alive and ended one of the longest droughts in Australian sport with a gritty 56-53 victory over the Melbourne Vixens. Remarkably given all their recent successes, it was the Thunderbirds' first away win over the Vixens since June 6, 2010 - 5511 days ago - snapping a 12-game losing streak against Melbourne in their own backyard at John Cain Arena on Sunday. Adelaide (6-6) set up their drought-breaking triumph with a barnstorming start and miserly finish after being challenged by the third-ranked Vixens (7-5) in the middle. Georgie Horjus was shifted from wing attack to goal attack midway through the second quarter and finished with seven goals without a miss - including two super shots - as well as nine assists to help end Melbourne's five-game winning stretch. "We probably didn't play our best netball but we grinded it out," Horjus said. "We knew we had to win, so now we're still in the hunt for finals, which is exciting for the next couple of weeks." "We've had some really close games but this gives us confidence we can do it ugly." With Romelda Aiken-George presenting a strong target and Tayla Williams impressing through the centre, Adelaide burst out to an 18-10 lead. Kiera Austin's quickfire two-pointer on the quarter-time siren dragged the margin back to 19-14 and gave the Vixens the momentum entering the second term. Melbourne's defensive trio Jo Weston, Kate Eddy and Rudi Ellis upped the physical pressure and the T'birds dropped off their hot early level as the Vixens trimmed the deficit to 30-29 at half-time. Adelaide superstar Latanya Wilson was creating havoc at goal defence but she lacked support as the home side continued to impose themselves. Sophie Garbin hit 11 without a miss, including the goal which gave Melbourne their first lead, 46-44 at the final change, which they held onto. The Vixens' frontcourt coughed up repeated turnovers in the fourth term while misfiring from long range. Horjus's two-pointer over Weston and Ellis gave Adelaide the lead for good as the visitors swamped Melbourne 12-7 i The Adelaide Thunderbirds have bounced back into the Super Netball top four, kept their three-peat dream alive and ended one of the longest droughts in Australian sport with a gritty 56-53 victory over the Melbourne Vixens. Remarkably given all their recent successes, it was the Thunderbirds' first away win over the Vixens since June 6, 2010 - 5511 days ago - snapping a 12-game losing streak against Melbourne in their own backyard at John Cain Arena on Sunday. Adelaide (6-6) set up their drought-breaking triumph with a barnstorming start and miserly finish after being challenged by the third-ranked Vixens (7-5) in the middle. Georgie Horjus was shifted from wing attack to goal attack midway through the second quarter and finished with seven goals without a miss - including two super shots - as well as nine assists to help end Melbourne's five-game winning stretch. "We probably didn't play our best netball but we grinded it out," Horjus said. "We knew we had to win, so now we're still in the hunt for finals, which is exciting for the next couple of weeks." "We've had some really close games but this gives us confidence we can do it ugly." With Romelda Aiken-George presenting a strong target and Tayla Williams impressing through the centre, Adelaide burst out to an 18-10 lead. Kiera Austin's quickfire two-pointer on the quarter-time siren dragged the margin back to 19-14 and gave the Vixens the momentum entering the second term. Melbourne's defensive trio Jo Weston, Kate Eddy and Rudi Ellis upped the physical pressure and the T'birds dropped off their hot early level as the Vixens trimmed the deficit to 30-29 at half-time. Adelaide superstar Latanya Wilson was creating havoc at goal defence but she lacked support as the home side continued to impose themselves. Sophie Garbin hit 11 without a miss, including the goal which gave Melbourne their first lead, 46-44 at the final change, which they held onto. The Vixens' frontcourt coughed up repeated turnovers in the fourth term while misfiring from long range. Horjus's two-pointer over Weston and Ellis gave Adelaide the lead for good as the visitors swamped Melbourne 12-7 i The Adelaide Thunderbirds have bounced back into the Super Netball top four, kept their three-peat dream alive and ended one of the longest droughts in Australian sport with a gritty 56-53 victory over the Melbourne Vixens. Remarkably given all their recent successes, it was the Thunderbirds' first away win over the Vixens since June 6, 2010 - 5511 days ago - snapping a 12-game losing streak against Melbourne in their own backyard at John Cain Arena on Sunday. Adelaide (6-6) set up their drought-breaking triumph with a barnstorming start and miserly finish after being challenged by the third-ranked Vixens (7-5) in the middle. Georgie Horjus was shifted from wing attack to goal attack midway through the second quarter and finished with seven goals without a miss - including two super shots - as well as nine assists to help end Melbourne's five-game winning stretch. "We probably didn't play our best netball but we grinded it out," Horjus said. "We knew we had to win, so now we're still in the hunt for finals, which is exciting for the next couple of weeks." "We've had some really close games but this gives us confidence we can do it ugly." With Romelda Aiken-George presenting a strong target and Tayla Williams impressing through the centre, Adelaide burst out to an 18-10 lead. Kiera Austin's quickfire two-pointer on the quarter-time siren dragged the margin back to 19-14 and gave the Vixens the momentum entering the second term. Melbourne's defensive trio Jo Weston, Kate Eddy and Rudi Ellis upped the physical pressure and the T'birds dropped off their hot early level as the Vixens trimmed the deficit to 30-29 at half-time. Adelaide superstar Latanya Wilson was creating havoc at goal defence but she lacked support as the home side continued to impose themselves. Sophie Garbin hit 11 without a miss, including the goal which gave Melbourne their first lead, 46-44 at the final change, which they held onto. The Vixens' frontcourt coughed up repeated turnovers in the fourth term while misfiring from long range. Horjus's two-pointer over Weston and Ellis gave Adelaide the lead for good as the visitors swamped Melbourne 12-7 i
