"Bombshell": Mavericks star announces shock code-switch

Melbourne Mavericks star defender Liv Lewis has confirmed she will be leaving the club to make a code switch to Australian rules.

Lewis, an inaugural Maverick, announced her decision at the club’s end of season awards night on Thursday.

"I’m playing footy. Bombshell I know," Lewis said.

"I’m excited to announce I'm chasing a career in footy and playing AFLW. Its been a dream of mine for a really long time.

"Now is the time for me to go and chase another dream. The hardest part for me is leaving the Mavs, netball is one thing but the Mavs is a special place.

"This is a really exciting step for me.

“This is a decision I’ve been sitting on for a while and something that I’ve wanted to pursue for a long time, and now I just think it’s the right time for me to go and chase that dream.

“I truly cannot express how grateful I am for my time with the Mavs – it's been the most special two years of my career.

"Although it will be from a little bit more of a distance, I’m hoping to still be based here in Melbourne, so I will be cheering them on whenever I can and always be the girls’ number one fan.

“I’m really content with the career I’ve had in netball, and I’m really grateful for what netball has given to me, so overall I’m just really excited.”

Lewis is hoping to be picked up in the AFLW rookie draft.

Mavericks CEO Richard Simkiss paid tribute to Lewis.

"Liv was part of our inaugural leadership team and has done so much for our club on court and off court.

"She has the support of our entire group to chse her dream. Liv will always be a Maverick."

Lewis follows in the footsteps of some big names from the netball world that have successfully made the switch between codes.

Former Magpies Sharni Layton and Ash Brazill both enjoyed terrific club and international netball careers before pursuing an AFLW career, with the latter still playing in West Australia.