Brianna Iris Davey is an Australian footballer in both the soccer and Australian rules football codes. In soccer, she was a goalkeeper who played for the Matildas and played in the W-League for Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City. In 2016, she stopped playing soccer to play Australian rules football, and was one of two initial marquee recruits for Carlton in the inaugural AFL Women's league. She won the club's best and fairest award in her first season as well as being named All-Australian. In 2018 she was appointed captain of the club's AFLW side. In 2019 she was traded to Collingwood.
Association football career
Club
Davey was initially an Australian rules football player until discovered kicking a ball at age 13 by a soccer scout while on a family holiday. Instantly discovered to have a talent as goalkeeper, Davey made inroads early and made Victorian representative and elite squads. Signed to Melbourne Victory Women as a fifteen-year-old as back-up keeper to Matildas captain Melissa Barbieriin Season 2010–11, she made three appearances in the short 11 match season. Having done enough to prove to head coach Vicki Linton that she was already as talented as the ageing Barbieri, Linton cut Barbieri and installed Davey as the number one choice. She went on to be the standout keeper for the first half of Season 2011–12 of the W-League. In August 2013, Davey agreed to play for Swedish Damallsvenskan club Linköping FC during the Australian off-season. Linköping coach Martin Sjögren required a replacement for Sofia Lundgren, who had a back injury. On signing Davey Sjögren described her as "probably the world's most talented goalkeeper". On 20 August 2015, after five years with Victory, Davey signed a contract with intra-city rivals Melbourne City, becoming the first ever goalkeeper for their newly created W-League side.
International
Davey has represented Australia in the Young Matildas, often facing-off for the starting position with Brisbane Roar prodigy Casey Dumont. After being involved in national team camps for over a year, Davey made her international debut for the Matildas in a 4–0 friendly victory over Haiti; keeping a clean sheet. After a four-month residency programme, national coach Alen Stajcic surprisingly dropped Davey from Australia's 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup squad. Resurgent veteran Melissa Hudson was recalled at Davey's expense.
Australian rules football career
After missing the World Cup squad, Davey began playing with the St Kilda Sharks in the Victorian Women's Football League in the 2015 winter. Despite not having played Australian rules football since her early junior days, she was quickly recognised as one of the top midfielders in the competition, also capable of playing as a key defender. She played for the in exhibition women's matches in 2015 and 2016, having been the top pick in the 2015 mini-draft held to allocate players for the matches.
AFL Women's
After having played both codes in parallel for two years, Davey committed to Australian rules football, signing as a marquee player for Carlton in the inaugural AFL Women's competition. In January 2017, she was announced as the co-vice-captain of Carlton, alongside Madeline Keryk. She made her debut in round 1, 2017, in the club and the league's inaugural match at IKON Park against. At the end of the season, Davey received her team's nominations for both the AFLW Players’ Most Courageous Award and the AFLW Players’ Most Valuable Player Award, and was also listed in the 2017 All-Australian team. She was awarded the club's inaugural best and fairest award in a ceremony in April 2017. Carlton signed Davey for the 2018 season during the trade period in May 2017. She was appointed the team's captain for the 2018 season, taking over for inaugural captain Lauren Arnell. In round 2 she suffered a serious knee injury that was later confirmed to be a season-ending ruptured anterior cruciate ligament. Davey returned to Carlton in 2019 and captained them side to a Grand Final appearance against Adelaide, which was subsequently lost. In April 2019, Davey was traded to Collingwood. In March 2020, Davey was selected for a 2017–19 retrospective 22under22 squad.
