AFLW 2025 AFLW Draft / Prospects

[Wrenny]

News around that we are looking to move up the draft to make certain we get Chloe Brown.

Really? I’d rather Chloe Bown

 

[toenail63]

Really? I’d rather Chloe Bown

To be fair it is pronounced Brown. spelt with a silent R. She probably lives in Prahran!

 

[TigermanM2]

To be fair it is pronounced Brown. spelt with a silent R. She probably lives in Prahran!

Haven't been around here as much lately. Out of touch.

I'm surprised GC have said their #1 is up for grabs. Do they need to offload #1 to secure academy picks?

 

[toenail63]

News around that we are looking to move up the draft to make certain we get Chloe Brown.

Nothing's certain but mad if we didn't try.

She's in high demand.

Suns will want to secure Usher, Lappin and Davies and to do this must have two of either end of first round picks through to pick 20 - 21 (our 2nd pick) in return for giving up pick one. (Plus they need another one elsewhere that would involve their next year 1st, or they trade one of their better player out, but this wouldn't involve us in our pursuit of Bown).

GWS probably in the box seat if they give up their second and bring in an end of first or another early second through a trade, however the future 1st Suns are willing to trade out does mean multiple clubs come into it, and give Richmond opportunity for either Chloe Bown this year, or go after their 1st pick next year, which with quality top end players like Bailee Martin from Oakleigh Chargers, a gun forward.

Outside of those top 3 (Usher, Lappin and Davies) the others are less important to get in picks in that range. eg. will they get a 2nd rounder for Lauren Bella who Carlton are entertaining a trade, don't think Carlton are willing to give up their first rounder (15-18) for a ruck who is similar player to Montana McKinnon. Suns would do this as really helps them, but even a 2nd rounder from blues will help them with someone like matching bid for an Alannah Welsh who is not seen as a top 10 pick.

We have put up Grace Egan for trade, but what is her value? not a pick in early 20's for me, so you have to think we would be looking at some complex trades here that would see us moving our pick 3 down, or even out, with or without trading Grace being involved. One example is we could trade our pick 3 to West Coast for their first round pick 11 and their next years first, so that this year they could grab a Russo or a Wolmarans, both WA girls at the top end of the draft, and then we give Suns pick 11 and 21 for their 1st.

This gets us Bown, we may give a lot if we don't get decent trade for Grace this year, however don't mind having multiple first round picks next year, both ours and West Coast in a slightly stronger draft then this year could mean 2 top 10 picks next year.

Picks down to 14

1. Gold Coast
2. G.W.S.
3. Richmond
4. Collingwood
5. Essendon
6. Geelong
7. Western Bulldogs
8. Fremantle
9. Port Adelaide
10. Sydney
11. West Coast
12. St Kilda
13. Adelaide
14. Hawthorn
15.
16.
17.
18.

 

[toenail63]

Haven't been around here as much lately. Out of touch.

I'm surprised GC have said their #1 is up for grabs. Do they need to offload #1 to secure academy picks?

Yeah they will most likely do this to spilt 1 pick into 2 picks.

So the scenario in my previous post where we trade with West Coast, and then give Suns pick 11 and 21 for their 1st.

Suns only have to have a pick where a bid comes within 18 places so don't need pick one. If a bid comes in for Usher at pick 2 from GWS for example then they need one pick inside 20 and they use pick 11 for Usher, a bid comes in for Lappin and they use their pick 19 (suns 2nd rounder), they also have 21 from us which will cover any bids that come at 3 or after, and as they'll be trading out their next years first they should have another late first rounder from another club.

 

[Third Ring]

Good old CFL…I see they’ve given the Giants another pick in the first round, just before us.

 

[Stigmata]

Good old CFL…I see they’ve given the Giants another pick in the first round, just before us.

Wt absolute f

https://www.afl.com.au/aflw/news/1457523

 

[toenail63]

Wt absolute f

https://www.afl.com.au/aflw/news/1457523

GWS 5 wins in 3 years and have been shite for years. The bigger problem is the amount of high end AFLW talent that's at the top, so that Melbourne lose Eden Zanker, one of their 3 gun forwards, and get a pick to bundle it with their first so that they can move up to get pick 1 from Suns and draft the best midfielder in the open draft, which is a big chance of happening.

We would've needed to be crap for longer to get what GWS got.

Pick 3 - 4, Don't think we can stuff this up even with moving back one place. There are 4 players in the open draft that I would rate in the top 10 alongside the off limits Suns academy 4-5 players. We will get one of them. I doubt GWS will take 2 x mids as they have Parker coming back from a year off with a broken foot, so that leaves us either a top mid or the next best which I like, a gun defender.

We need to get better at drafting talent in 2nd round and late rounds IMO. The other clubs have found hidden gems while we seem to seek out the coal on the green.

 

[TigermanM2]

GWS 5 wins in 3 years and have been shite for years. The bigger problem is the amount of high end AFLW talent that's at the top, so that Melbourne lose Eden Zanker, one of their 3 gun forwards, and get a pick to bundle it with their first so that they can move up to get pick 1 from Suns and draft the best midfielder in the open draft, which is a big chance of happening.

We would've needed to be crap for longer to get what GWS got.

Pick 3 - 4, Don't think we can stuff this up even with moving back one place. There are 4 players in the open draft that I would rate in the top 10 alongside the off limits Suns academy 4-5 players. We will get one of them. I doubt GWS will take 2 x mids as they have Parker coming back from a year off with a broken foot, so that leaves us either a top mid or the next best which I like, a gun defender.

We need to get better at drafting talent in 2nd round and late rounds IMO. The other clubs have found hidden gems while we seem to seek out the coal on the green.

GWS History.
2017 - 8 teams - finished 8th (no finals - 2 made GF)
2018 - 8 teams - finished 4th (no finals - 2 made GF)
2019 - Conference B - 5 teams - finished 3th (2 made PF)
2020 - Conference A - 7 teams - finished 2nd (top 4 made finals - bundled out first final v Melb)
2021 - 14 teams - finished 9th (top 6 made finals)
2022 S6 - 14 teams - finished 9th (top 6 made finals)
2022 S7 - 18 teams - finished 11th (top 8 made finals)
2023 - 18 teams - finished 16th (top 8 made finals)
2024 - 18 teams - finished 16th (top 8 made finals)
2025 - 18 teams - finished 17th (top 8 made finals)

Not happy that Richmond's pick slides but if you are going to give assistance then the above definitely qualifies. I reckon trying to get a decent GWS team up is probably the hardest gig in women's footy.

Personally I would be disappointed if we picked a defender over a mid at pick 4. Week after week we get smashed in the middle and I think this is our greatest need.

 

[Phar Ace]

GWS 5 wins in 3 years and have been shite for years. The bigger problem is the amount of high end AFLW talent that's at the top, so that Melbourne lose Eden Zanker, one of their 3 gun forwards, and get a pick to bundle it with their first so that they can move up to get pick 1 from Suns and draft the best midfielder in the open draft, which is a big chance of happening.

Yep, will take some special negotiating to get around that.

 

[Phar Ace]

GWS History.
2017 - 8 teams - finished 8th (no finals - 2 made GF)
2018 - 8 teams - finished 4th (no finals - 2 made GF)
2019 - Conference B - 5 teams - finished 3th (2 made PF)
2020 - Conference A - 7 teams - finished 2nd (top 4 made finals - bundled out first final v Melb)
2021 - 14 teams - finished 9th (top 6 made finals)
2022 S6 - 14 teams - finished 9th (top 6 made finals)
2022 S7 - 18 teams - finished 11th (top 8 made finals)
2023 - 18 teams - finished 16th (top 8 made finals)
2024 - 18 teams - finished 16th (top 8 made finals)
2025 - 18 teams - finished 17th (top 8 made finals)

Not happy that Richmond's pick slides but if you are going to give assistance then the above definitely qualifies. I reckon trying to get a decent GWS team up is probably the hardest gig in women's footy.

Personally I would be disappointed if we picked a defender over a mid at pick 4. Week after week we get smashed in the middle and I think this is our greatest need.

Especially with Grace Egan encouraged to seek her options, who, rightly or wrongly, is a lock in the mids each week. So we need to get better AND replace her. Sounds like we need two mids to me.

 

[toenail63]

Personally I would be disappointed if we picked a defender over a mid at pick 4. Week after week we get smashed in the middle and I think this is our greatest need.

A defender some rated above Zippy Fish, not our greatest need but Evie Cowcher is too good a footballer to pass on here. In IMO only. Still a chance either Tayla McMillan or Mia Russo could get to pick 4.

 

[TigermanM2]

A defender some rated above Zippy Fish, not our greatest need but Evie Cowcher is too good a footballer to pass on here. In IMO only. Still a chance either Tayla McMillan or Mia Russo could get to pick 4.

Bit concerning that back stress franctures meant that Cowcher played very little footy in 2025 though. That might see her slide.

Sounds like the side that just won its 27th game in a row will steal then 2023 # 1 pick from the bulldogs. AFL can throw assistance picks around but how about fixing that!

 

[Phar Ace]

Bit concerning that back stress franctures meant that Cowcher played very little footy in 2025 though. That might see her slide.

Sounds like the side that just won its 27th game in a row will steal then 2023 # 1 pick from the bulldogs. AFL can throw assistance picks around but how about fixing that!

Two premierships in a row - transfer earliest pick to last pick. It would make trading for this sort of deal harder, probably forcing the Premier to then to use their 1st round pick in the previous year, so a 2nd rounder goes to the back of the pack, making it harder still .

 

[toenail63]

Sounds like the side that just won its 27th game in a row will steal then 2023 # 1 pick from the bulldogs. AFL can throw assistance picks around but how about fixing that!

I'd pick either McMillan or Russo as first preference this year, if either still there, and next year draft Bailee Martin a KPF.

Two premierships in a row - transfer earliest pick to last pick. It would make trading for this sort of deal harder, probably forcing the Premier to then to use their 1st round pick in the previous year, so a 2nd rounder goes to the back of the pack, making it harder still .

Some players won't budge with offers under the current system, with this tier structure the difference between 2nd and 3rd tier is only 13k difference and is only 22k between tier 2 and tier 4.

The 3 foundation clubs (Melb, Lions, Crows) and North are the player rich clubs, also well run clubs and kudos for going there early to them, but because of this that also makes it easier if they do lose players to rejuvenate well, as they have shown.

The AFLW should give the clubs that have not won a final to get a financial leg up in the form of extra cap $$ for say a 3 yr contract term, maybe even front end it, to enable clubs like us to extract some of these players and correct the trend which is going the other way.

If we were to chase Blathin Bougue to leave North, as someone who kicked 25 goals in one season, how do you do this to shift the needle for just offering her 13k? If we had the license to triple that amount to $40k per year more than what she currently gets by means of extra $$ in cap and on a long term contract, now you do shift the needle. Make it 1 player per club who've never won a final and then you'd see 3 to 4 stripped from each of these clubs.

 

[Phar Ace]

I'd pick either McMillan or Russo as first preference this year, if either still there, and next year draft Bailee Martin a KPF.

Some players won't budge with offers under the current system, with this tier structure the difference between 2nd and 3rd tier is only 13k difference and is only 22k between tier 2 and tier 4.

The 3 foundation clubs (Melb, Lions, Crows) and North are the player rich clubs, also well run clubs and kudos for going there early to them, but because of this that also makes it easier if they do lose players to rejuvenate well, as they have shown.

The AFLW should give the clubs that have not won a final to get a financial leg up in the form of extra cap $$ for say a 3 yr contract term, maybe even front end it, to enable clubs like us to extract some of these players and correct the trend which is going the other way.

If we were to chase Blathin Bougue to leave North, as someone who kicked 25 goals in one season, how do you do this to shift the needle for just offering her 13k? If we had the license to triple that amount to $40k per year more than what she currently gets by means of extra $$ in cap and on a long term contract, now you do shift the needle. Make it 1 player per club who've never won a final and then you'd see 3 to 4 stripped from each of these clubs.

Interesting. There is money, and/or security, and/or success.

Home / family, and there is also after-football career considerations.

The other driver is game-opportunity, for players like Bougue, offered at the right time.

Finding that right mix of motivators.

We had about 26 of 33 up for contract as season's end. TigermanM2 seemed to think that all Clubs had a similar ratio. I do wonder. Reading the article "Who's going where" - seems other Clubs might have a higher ratio of contacted players than we do - maybe?

 

[toenail63]

Interesting. There is money, and/or security, and/or success.

Home / family, and there is also after-football career considerations.

The other driver is game-opportunity, for players like Bougue, offered at the right time.

Finding that right mix of motivators.

We had about 26 of 33 up for contract as season's end. TigermanM2 seemed to think that all Clubs had a similar ratio. I do wonder. Reading the article "Who's going where" - seems other Clubs might have a higher ratio of contacted players than we do - maybe?

I'd take two of the 3, all 3 all the better - if a player can see signs that success is coming, especially at a club like ours known for recent successes, great.

I still think money can take priority and would if the restricted payments structure wasn't there, is also hindering locking in long term contracts with the vague obfuscations currently coming from Head Office around future changes to a salary cap system.

If you could have cap money outside the structure and front load it, you could offer a 60% increase over what a player is getting currently so a good player at North on tier 3 offer a 30% increase from $76,000 up to $100,000 and 30% front loaded so they get a $ 75,000 cheque up front for a 3 yr contract, either that or provide the clubs the ability to offer a sign on fee to a player.

 

[toenail63]

December Rankings in from Rookie Central Rank 1 - 10

 

[toenail63]

December Rankings in from Rookie Central Rank 11 - 50

 

[toenail63]

These are better player picks that I've put into range for our 1st, 2nd and 3rd round picks, as currently sits.

Round 2 - 3 contains a large group from 20 -40 around our 2nd and 3rd round picks, Our 2nd round pick should be based on needs as there are some good options in forwards here like Misha Barwin, that's if we do pick a mid with our first.

Round 1 - PICK 4 not in any order are:

Ava Usher QLD (162cm Midfielder) Mia Russo WA (165cm Midfielder), Georja Davies QLD (185cm Key Position Ruck/Utility), Chloe Bown VIC METRO (173cm Midfielder), Evie Cowcher WA (173cm Tall Defender), Dekota Baron QLD (179cm Key Forward), Sunny Lappin QLD (170cm Midfielder) and Tayla McMillan VIC METRO (162 cm Midfielder)

Round 2 - PICK 22 (will push up several places with Suns using multiple picks ahead of us in matching bids) - Highlighted are more of Suns Academy players in this range.

I have approx. 20 names in the tier 1 and tier 2 range and it is likely a pick here would come from this tier 2 group, with also a possible pick slide. It’s likely that those clubs picking outside of the top 10 may have rated players favourable to their game style/needs and some of the following group will not factor in for them until later than our pick here.

Priya Bowering TAS (168cm Midfielder), Jade McLay VIC METRO (177cm Tall Utility), Sophie Eaton SA (170cm Midfielder), Eloise Mackereth SA (177cm Tall Forward), Mischa Barwin TAS (166cm Forward/Midfielder), Olivia Wolmarans WA (181cm Key Forward), Alannah Welsh QLD* ( 169cm Forward), Mikayla Nurse QLD* (168cm Wing/Midfielder), Aleah Stringer QLD* (165cm Medium Forward), Chloe Baker-West VIC METRO (165cm Small Utility), Rhianna Ingram QLD* (167cm Medium Defender), Mizuki Brothwell VIC COUNTRY (175cm Defender/Midfielder),

Round 3 - PICK 40 (The rest of the good ones) - I've done these by State.

These are the next group of players outside top 20 to our pick here at 40, that would be mid drafters, however many will go earlier then here, (Rookie me has some here rated as high as late first round and may come into calculations for our Rd 2 pick 22). Pick 40 equates to a very solid player, and possibly might snag a good one here that is just not as ready to impact as much as the top 20 picks are now. Picks coming here will come down to how each club will rate their strengths as to where each have positioned on their board.

VIC METRO: Jordyn Allen (165cm Defender/Midfielder), Olivia Gorman (168cm Midfielder), Scarlett Johnson (175cm Tall Utility)

VIC COUNTRY: Georgia Tyrell (168cm Midfielder), Ella Stoddart (174cm Tall Defender), Maggie Johnstone (171cm Midfielder/Forward), Nalu Brothwell (174cm Tall Forward), Chelsea Sutton (171cm Midfielder/Forward), Stella Huxtable (171cm Midfielder), Ella Jeffrey (167cm Midfielder/Defender)

STH AUST: Imogen Trengrove (165cm Midfielder/Defender), Lucy Waye (169cm Forward), Lily Baxter (173cm Tall Forward)

WEST AUST: Maya Louvel-Finn (170cm Medium Defender), Carys D’Addorio (168cm Midfielder), Renee Morgan (168cm Midfielder), Juliet Kelly (171cm Midfielder),

QUEENSLAND: Annabelle Foat (165cm Midfielder)

 

[toenail63]

All player profile and videos here at this link, indexed into positional groups.

https://central.rookieme.com/afl/2025-aflw-draft-profiles/

 

[toenail63]

FULL WRITE UP FROM FOX ARTICLE

The consensus among sources spoken to by foxfooty.com.au is that Oakleigh Chargers ball magnet Chloe Bown is the No. 1 open pool prospect. One source said Bown was a “pretty clear standout”.

A consistent, reliable on-baller with an incredible work ethic and ability to kick well on both feet, Bown had a near perfect draft year. She was crowned the best and fairest player of 2025 national championships and selected as All-Australian captain after steering Victoria Metro to back-to-back title wins. Her season was book-ended by a best on ground medal when representing the Australia Under 18 team against the All Stars in April and the Coates Talent League best and fairest award in September after averaging 29 disposals and six tackles per game.

The other top open pool prospect is WA star Olivia Wolmarans — an athletic and versatile 180cm goalkicker who was named at centre half-forward in this year’s Under 18 All-Australian team. Multiple sources linked Wolmarans to the Giants — who hold Picks 2 and 3 in the draft — as well as a potential bid on Sydney-tied prospect Neyland, indicating the club’s desire to draft a tall.

Another WA player expected to be taken early is exciting 173cm Peel Thunder intercept defender Evie Cowcher. Despite Cowcher being sidelined for a lot of her draft year due to back stress fractures, clubs have remained enamoured by her elite previous two seasons, which saw her win two WA MVP awards, two Under 18 All-Australian selections and the 2023 WAFLW Rising Star award.

Calder Cannons ball magnet Chloe Baker-West is another prospect expected to feature in the initial stages of this month’s draft. A prodigious ball-winner, she’s racked up some big numbers in the Coates Talent League over the past three seasons, leading to a spot in the comp’s Team of the Year in September.

One intriguing prospect is Priya Bowering – a strong, clean and powerful and midfielder who’s Tasmania’s top hope this year. Bowering starred for the Allies in the Under 18 national championships, winning the side’s MVP award and being named on the wing in the All-Australian team, before being picked in the Coates Talent League Team of the Year. She looms as a top-10 prospect, but whether the Lauderdale product is taken that early by one of the 18 clubs – considering Tasmania’s slated 2028 entry into the AFLW competition – remains to be seen.



Eastern Ranges duo Jordyn Allen – coincidentally a similar type of rebounding defender to namesake Jordyn Allen at Collingwood – and Tayla McMillan are looming as first-round contenders. Some scouts rate midfielder McMillan as a top-five prospect due to her pure football ability, while others have her towards the back-end of the first round.

Northern Knights utility Scarlett Johnson, GWV Rebels powerful midfielder Maggie Johnstone and WA pair Mia Russo and Olivia Crane are the other names to watch.

The 2025 AFLW draft will be held on Monday December 15 and will be broadcast live and exclusive on Fox Footy, via Foxtel (Channel 504) and Kayo Sports.