Since creating history in 2016, when she became the first NSW/ACT player to be selected for the Greater Western Sydney Giants' women's team, the Nowra High School student pulled on the orange, charcoal and white guernsey 11 times during her first two seasons at the club.

But after only making four appearances for Alan McConnell's side in 2019, Collier decided to make the move west during the AFLW trade period.

"At the end of another up and down season, I decided to test the waters a little during the off-season, which I explained to the coaches during my Giants exit interview," Collier said.

"With that Giants team looking tough to be crack into next year, one my my team mates at GWS Emma Swanson suggested that West Coast could be a good option for me.

"So after getting in contact with the Eagles and numerous chats back and forth with them, I decided to make the move west - it was a decision I thought long and hard about."

Collier will join Belinda Smith, Parris Laurie, Mikayla Bowen and Rosie Deegan as new additions to the Eagles club for their inaugural season - with Gold Coast, Richmond and St Kilda also joining the the expanded AFLW competition.

"The Eagles are a really good club, that are focused on development, which is an aspect that really attracted me to them," Collier, who hopes to bring experience and versatility to the Eagles squad, said.

"It also gives me a fresh start and fresh set of eyes, at a club that aligns very similar to my approach to footy.

"They are trying to establish strong values, by attracting a certain calibre of player - hard working and good character - to the club, via both the draft and sign period.

"That really resonated with me, as I pride myself on my work ethic.

"I'm looking forward to the new challenge and being outside of my comfort zone - I think it's the move my career needed."

While the AFL South Coast product, who will have family on her father's side in Perth with her, is excited for the next chapter in her AFLW career with Luke Dywer's Eagles, she also appreciates all the Giants have done for her.

"I don't have a bad word to say about the Giants," she said.

"They are a great club, full of awesome people, who have helped be become the person and player I am today - I am extremely grateful for everything they've done for me over the years.

"But at the end of the day, I had to make a tough decision about what is best for my footy career moving forward."

Following the news of her departure, Giants coach McConnell wished the 23-year-old all the best in the future.

"Maddy has played 15 of a possible 21 games over the three seasons at the Giants after coming onto our list in the first year," McConnell said on the Giants website.

"While we would have loved to have retained Maddy, and we're disappointed that we're losing someone from Sydney to an expansion club - we wish her all the best."

Before Collier, who has the AFLSC women's league best and fairest award named after her, heads west, she will return for her second season with Essendon in the women's VFL competition, which starts on May 11.