TigermanM2
Norm Smith Medallist
- Mar 7, 2013
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Awesome.
News 2020 AFLW Season - General
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TigermanM2
Norm Smith Medallist
- Mar 7, 2013
- 8,145
- 26,240
- AFL Club
- Richmond
- Thread starter
- #152
10 BIGGEST TAKEAWAYS FROM THE AFLW PRE-SEASON GAMES
BY NIC NEGREPONTIS 2 DAYS AGO
All 14 AFLW teams took part in practice matches across Saturday and Sunday as they gear up for the season.
After last week where some teams played serious games against one another while others worked with each other for some match simulation training, this week saw four quarters of footy played in hot weather conditions across the country in a series of proper hit-outs.
Here’s 10 things we learned from those seven games:
1. Daisy Pearce hasn’t missed a beat
After a year off to have twins, Pearce made her official return for the Demons on Saturday against Collingwood at the Holden Centre, showing no signs of rust.
She was involved early through the middle and showed her class and smarts up against a tough Pies midfield.
Expect to see Pearce spend some time across half back in 2020 as well as she reintegrates herself back into AFLW level and her ability to read the play and mark above her head will likely make her a weapon in that role.
2. The Pies will be the most improved team in 2020
Collingwood only had the one win last year so saying they’ll improve isn’t saying much, but expect them to be among the teams fighting for a finals spot in Conference B.
In their practice match against the Dees, they unveiled former Carlton skipper Brianna Davey and welcomed back superstar Rising Star winner Chloe Molloy, unleashing both in the midfield alongside Jaimee Lambert, Steph Chiocci and Brittany Bonnici.
They have a strong midfield and a reliable backline. The question mark will be on their forwards and where the goals come from.
They had opportunities to break away from Melbourne in the first half, but wayward goal kicking held them back.
3. Sharni Layton will be the most improved player in 2020
It’s only fitting that the most improved player comes from the most improved team.
Layton was new to the game last year and looked a fish out of water playing in the ruck - fair enough given she was still learning and developing in a brand new sport.
The Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist made great strides with her ruck craft across the VFLW season, where the Pies won the flag, and showed just how far she has come on Saturday morning, bullying Melbourne’s ruck division and not only winning hit-outs but either clearing the congestion by thumping the ball away or hitting the ball nicely to advantage.
Already boasting a gun midfield, Layton’s size, strength and ruck craft will give the Pies a serious edge if she does breakout this season.
4. The young Bulldogs will play fast
Boasting four of the top seven Victorian draft selections from 2019 and plenty of pace the Bulldogs will look to hurt teams who press too high up the ground this season.
Facing the Cats on Saturday, the Dogs were able to get out the back and put scoreboard pressure on thanks to the likes of Nell Morris-Dalton, Bonnie Toogood and Kirsten McLeon.
Gabby Newton and Isabel Huntington are versatile future stars who can play key forward or through the midfield as well and how they mix and match them will be worth keeping a close eye on.
Captain Ellie Blackburn suffered a hand injury in the game requiring scans and losing her would make things incredibly hard for the Dogs in 2020 however.
5. North Melbourne remains a powerhouse
The Roos got off to a blistering start at Ikon Park against Carlton, booting five quick goals and showcasing what they can look like when everything clicks together.
They have elite players all over the ground and saw good signs from youngsters like Ellie Gavalas and Ash Riddell, who give this team even more depth through the midfield.
Star ruck Emma King looked incredibly dangerous inside 50 and if they continue to throw her down there, she could kick plenty of goals in 2020.
North Melbourne was incredibly unlucky to miss out on finals last season and all signs point to them getting there this time around after an impressive win over the Blues.
6. Carlton will run teams off their feet
As mentioned above, the Blues were five goals down in the blink of an eye against the Roos, but were the stronger team from that moment forward, reigning the Roos in across the rest of the game.
They finished well and looked to have more left in the tank as the match went on. Top draft pick Lucy McEvoy showed signs of the star she will likely become with a huge contested mark in the goal square, while their young midfield held their own against a strong Roos line-up.
Their forward line looked potent, with Tayla Harris marking everything, Chloe Dalton and Brooke Walker getting in good positions and Nicola Stevens providing another excellent lead-up target after a few years in defence.
Carlton may have lost their best player in the trade period, but they remain one of the rightful favourites in Conference B. They’ll be hoping midfielder Lauren Brazzale is okay following an ugly head-knock saw her taken to hospital for scans.
7. Adelaide’s injuries are starting to mount up
Adelaide midfielder Deni Varnhagen went down clutching her knee late in the second quarter against Fremantle and did not return to the game. Sophie Li was also sidelined with a concussion.
If Varnhagen’s injury is serious, she would join Hannah Martin and captain Chelsea Randall as players out for the season with knee injuries, while Ruth Wallace has stepped away for personal reasons.
Erin Phillips, Chloe Scheer and Rhiannon Metcalfe all tore their ACLs last year and will either have delayed starts to 2020 or will be limited early and given they are already missing three - potentially four - players for the season, Adelaide is running out of magnets on the board.
The reigning champs might have the best list in the competition, but injuries might make successive flags difficult.
8. Freo's skipper is back
The Dockers made finals and finished with the second best record in the AFLW last year, but it’s worth mentioning that they did that with their best player injured.
Kara Antonio (nee Donnellan) was not at her best in 2019, dealing with consistent injury niggles, but after sitting out the WAFLW season she is fit and healthy once again.
She looked her explosive best against the Crows on Saturday afternoon and putting her next to Kiara Bowers in that Fremantle midfield gives them an incredible one-two punch.
Antonio was one of the most complete midfielders across the first two seasons, with her size and contested ball-winning ability coupled with her burst from stoppages making her a difficult match-up.
9. The Tigers will use Katie Brennan as a midfielder
With Sabrina Frederick, Christina Bernardi and impressive newcomers Courtney Wakefield and Tayla Stahl all inside 50 and all looking good in their practice match win over West Coast, the Tigers can afford to utilise Brennan in the midfield.
That’s exactly what they did against the Eagles, playing her almost exclusively as an on-baller from start to finish.
Brennan was very effective in the role, dominating the clearances early and winning plenty of the ball around the ground.
Monique Conti did not play on Sunday due to basketball commitments, but putting the two together with first-round pick Sophie Molan and ruck Alice Edmonds should allow the Tigers to compete with the best midfield units.
10. It may be a long year for the Lions
Brisbane was held goalless on Sunday morning by GWS across four quarters of footy.
A team that boasted the strongest forward line in the competition during the inaugural season thanks to Tayla Harris, Sabrina Frederick, Kate McCarthy, Jess Wuetschner and Kaitlyn Ashmore has lost, well everyone.
All have left for other teams with the exception of Wuetschner who was - literally - struck by lightning last weekend. You couldn’t make this stuff up.
The Lions have been stripped bare by the expansion teams and while they still have stars in the midfield and down back, their forward line may struggle to put the score on the board in 2020.
BY NIC NEGREPONTIS 2 DAYS AGO
All 14 AFLW teams took part in practice matches across Saturday and Sunday as they gear up for the season.
After last week where some teams played serious games against one another while others worked with each other for some match simulation training, this week saw four quarters of footy played in hot weather conditions across the country in a series of proper hit-outs.
Here’s 10 things we learned from those seven games:
1. Daisy Pearce hasn’t missed a beat
After a year off to have twins, Pearce made her official return for the Demons on Saturday against Collingwood at the Holden Centre, showing no signs of rust.
She was involved early through the middle and showed her class and smarts up against a tough Pies midfield.
Expect to see Pearce spend some time across half back in 2020 as well as she reintegrates herself back into AFLW level and her ability to read the play and mark above her head will likely make her a weapon in that role.
2. The Pies will be the most improved team in 2020
Collingwood only had the one win last year so saying they’ll improve isn’t saying much, but expect them to be among the teams fighting for a finals spot in Conference B.
In their practice match against the Dees, they unveiled former Carlton skipper Brianna Davey and welcomed back superstar Rising Star winner Chloe Molloy, unleashing both in the midfield alongside Jaimee Lambert, Steph Chiocci and Brittany Bonnici.
They have a strong midfield and a reliable backline. The question mark will be on their forwards and where the goals come from.
They had opportunities to break away from Melbourne in the first half, but wayward goal kicking held them back.
3. Sharni Layton will be the most improved player in 2020
It’s only fitting that the most improved player comes from the most improved team.
Layton was new to the game last year and looked a fish out of water playing in the ruck - fair enough given she was still learning and developing in a brand new sport.
The Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist made great strides with her ruck craft across the VFLW season, where the Pies won the flag, and showed just how far she has come on Saturday morning, bullying Melbourne’s ruck division and not only winning hit-outs but either clearing the congestion by thumping the ball away or hitting the ball nicely to advantage.
Already boasting a gun midfield, Layton’s size, strength and ruck craft will give the Pies a serious edge if she does breakout this season.
4. The young Bulldogs will play fast
Boasting four of the top seven Victorian draft selections from 2019 and plenty of pace the Bulldogs will look to hurt teams who press too high up the ground this season.
Facing the Cats on Saturday, the Dogs were able to get out the back and put scoreboard pressure on thanks to the likes of Nell Morris-Dalton, Bonnie Toogood and Kirsten McLeon.
Gabby Newton and Isabel Huntington are versatile future stars who can play key forward or through the midfield as well and how they mix and match them will be worth keeping a close eye on.
Captain Ellie Blackburn suffered a hand injury in the game requiring scans and losing her would make things incredibly hard for the Dogs in 2020 however.
5. North Melbourne remains a powerhouse
The Roos got off to a blistering start at Ikon Park against Carlton, booting five quick goals and showcasing what they can look like when everything clicks together.
They have elite players all over the ground and saw good signs from youngsters like Ellie Gavalas and Ash Riddell, who give this team even more depth through the midfield.
Star ruck Emma King looked incredibly dangerous inside 50 and if they continue to throw her down there, she could kick plenty of goals in 2020.
North Melbourne was incredibly unlucky to miss out on finals last season and all signs point to them getting there this time around after an impressive win over the Blues.
6. Carlton will run teams off their feet
As mentioned above, the Blues were five goals down in the blink of an eye against the Roos, but were the stronger team from that moment forward, reigning the Roos in across the rest of the game.
They finished well and looked to have more left in the tank as the match went on. Top draft pick Lucy McEvoy showed signs of the star she will likely become with a huge contested mark in the goal square, while their young midfield held their own against a strong Roos line-up.
Their forward line looked potent, with Tayla Harris marking everything, Chloe Dalton and Brooke Walker getting in good positions and Nicola Stevens providing another excellent lead-up target after a few years in defence.
Carlton may have lost their best player in the trade period, but they remain one of the rightful favourites in Conference B. They’ll be hoping midfielder Lauren Brazzale is okay following an ugly head-knock saw her taken to hospital for scans.
7. Adelaide’s injuries are starting to mount up
Adelaide midfielder Deni Varnhagen went down clutching her knee late in the second quarter against Fremantle and did not return to the game. Sophie Li was also sidelined with a concussion.
If Varnhagen’s injury is serious, she would join Hannah Martin and captain Chelsea Randall as players out for the season with knee injuries, while Ruth Wallace has stepped away for personal reasons.
Erin Phillips, Chloe Scheer and Rhiannon Metcalfe all tore their ACLs last year and will either have delayed starts to 2020 or will be limited early and given they are already missing three - potentially four - players for the season, Adelaide is running out of magnets on the board.
The reigning champs might have the best list in the competition, but injuries might make successive flags difficult.
8. Freo's skipper is back
The Dockers made finals and finished with the second best record in the AFLW last year, but it’s worth mentioning that they did that with their best player injured.
Kara Antonio (nee Donnellan) was not at her best in 2019, dealing with consistent injury niggles, but after sitting out the WAFLW season she is fit and healthy once again.
She looked her explosive best against the Crows on Saturday afternoon and putting her next to Kiara Bowers in that Fremantle midfield gives them an incredible one-two punch.
Antonio was one of the most complete midfielders across the first two seasons, with her size and contested ball-winning ability coupled with her burst from stoppages making her a difficult match-up.
9. The Tigers will use Katie Brennan as a midfielder
With Sabrina Frederick, Christina Bernardi and impressive newcomers Courtney Wakefield and Tayla Stahl all inside 50 and all looking good in their practice match win over West Coast, the Tigers can afford to utilise Brennan in the midfield.
That’s exactly what they did against the Eagles, playing her almost exclusively as an on-baller from start to finish.
Brennan was very effective in the role, dominating the clearances early and winning plenty of the ball around the ground.
Monique Conti did not play on Sunday due to basketball commitments, but putting the two together with first-round pick Sophie Molan and ruck Alice Edmonds should allow the Tigers to compete with the best midfield units.
10. It may be a long year for the Lions
Brisbane was held goalless on Sunday morning by GWS across four quarters of footy.
A team that boasted the strongest forward line in the competition during the inaugural season thanks to Tayla Harris, Sabrina Frederick, Kate McCarthy, Jess Wuetschner and Kaitlyn Ashmore has lost, well everyone.
All have left for other teams with the exception of Wuetschner who was - literally - struck by lightning last weekend. You couldn’t make this stuff up.
The Lions have been stripped bare by the expansion teams and while they still have stars in the midfield and down back, their forward line may struggle to put the score on the board in 2020.
TigermanM2
Norm Smith Medallist
- Mar 7, 2013
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Katie Brennan; Richmond Captain - AFLW
It was a history making day on the weekend with the Richmond AFLW side playing their first practice match and beating West Coast at Punt Road, they continue to count down to their first match vs. Carlton on February 7. Katie Brennan joined the Summer Breakfast Club
player.whooshkaa.com
TigermanM2
Norm Smith Medallist
- Mar 7, 2013
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Good interview with Tommy Hunter
player.whooshkaa.com
Tom Hunter on Bob and Andy (29.1.20)
The Richmond AFLW coach joined the boys following the Tigers' practice match at the weekend.
player.whooshkaa.com
TigermanM2
Norm Smith Medallist
- Mar 7, 2013
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Bloody good move I think. There were numerous head-scratching moments last year and you can't say you are taking AFLW seriously and then appoint just second string umpires to officiate games. Mixing in AFL experienced umpires in games should fast track the development of the others.
JAN 29. 2020. 8:22 PM
AFLW umpiring to be boosted by the best in the business
Sarah Black
AFL-LISTED umpires will take charge during matches in the NAB AFLW season for the first time in 2020.
The move comes as a direct response from the protracted negotiations around the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, where umpiring was raised by players.
Matches have previously been officiated by members of an AFLW panel, seven of whom have since gone on to umpire AFL games.
The new move will see a mix of AFL and AFLW umpires look after AFLW matches, with all 14 teams having had the opportunity to work with an AFL umpire by the end of round three.
The AFL umpires will be weighted to rounds one and two and seven and eight, with six to take part in the three-week finals series, although the overlap between the AFLW competition, the Marsh Community Series and the AFL premiership season will stretch resources.
In total, half the AFLW matches will involve an AFL umpire, with a focus on mentoring and developing the existing AFLW umpires.
"After we met with a number of players last year and listening to their feedback on the league and the game, it was clear their desire to involve AFL listed field umpires into their AFLW matches," AFL general manager of footy operations Steve Hocking said.
"I am really happy we have been able to make this happen for season 2020, which will not only have a positive impact on the matches, but also the development of the AFLW field umpire group while enhancing the officiating across the competition.
"The AFL Umpires Association were really supportive in providing more opportunity for growth across the AFL and AFLW umpires.
"We learned a lot in the discussions with the AFLW delegates and the decision to use AFL umpires was a direct outcome of those constructive conversations.
"We are really excited about this season with four new teams and over 120 new players, and [we're] looking forward to a huge night with Richmond and Carlton opening the season at Ikon Park."
One umpire looking forward to taking charge of an AFLW game is Eleni Glouftsis, who became the first woman to field umpire an AFL match back in 2017.
"It's obviously a competition that's grown significantly in the past few years, and we're really happy that as an AFL field umpire group we can help umpire this year," Glouftsis told womens.afl.
"I loved playing footy growing up, and there just wasn't opportunities to play at that time. I took up an umpiring path and I wouldn't go back now, but to see the AFLW up and running and the success of the last few years is just fantastic.
"We only have 34 AFL-listed field umpires in Australia and we have to fill 27 spots a week in the AFL men's rounds, so that can be tricky to fill with injuries and things.
"We want to really help build that pool of umpires, so when the AFLW expands, we can help accommodate that with the best umpires possible."
Including the AFLW in their schedules means an earlier start than normal for AFL umpires, but the February heat doesn't faze Glouftsis.
"We start with club visits in December, so the weather is definitely hot, but I'm really excited to get into matches. I can't wait."
Seasoned AFL umpires Simon Meredith (a five-time Grand Final whistleblower) and 'Razor' Ray Chamberlain are also confirmed starters for the 2020 home and away season.
JAN 29. 2020. 8:22 PM
AFLW umpiring to be boosted by the best in the business
Sarah Black
AFL-LISTED umpires will take charge during matches in the NAB AFLW season for the first time in 2020.
The move comes as a direct response from the protracted negotiations around the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, where umpiring was raised by players.
Matches have previously been officiated by members of an AFLW panel, seven of whom have since gone on to umpire AFL games.
The new move will see a mix of AFL and AFLW umpires look after AFLW matches, with all 14 teams having had the opportunity to work with an AFL umpire by the end of round three.
The AFL umpires will be weighted to rounds one and two and seven and eight, with six to take part in the three-week finals series, although the overlap between the AFLW competition, the Marsh Community Series and the AFL premiership season will stretch resources.
In total, half the AFLW matches will involve an AFL umpire, with a focus on mentoring and developing the existing AFLW umpires.
"After we met with a number of players last year and listening to their feedback on the league and the game, it was clear their desire to involve AFL listed field umpires into their AFLW matches," AFL general manager of footy operations Steve Hocking said.
"I am really happy we have been able to make this happen for season 2020, which will not only have a positive impact on the matches, but also the development of the AFLW field umpire group while enhancing the officiating across the competition.
"The AFL Umpires Association were really supportive in providing more opportunity for growth across the AFL and AFLW umpires.
"We learned a lot in the discussions with the AFLW delegates and the decision to use AFL umpires was a direct outcome of those constructive conversations.
"We are really excited about this season with four new teams and over 120 new players, and [we're] looking forward to a huge night with Richmond and Carlton opening the season at Ikon Park."
One umpire looking forward to taking charge of an AFLW game is Eleni Glouftsis, who became the first woman to field umpire an AFL match back in 2017.
"It's obviously a competition that's grown significantly in the past few years, and we're really happy that as an AFL field umpire group we can help umpire this year," Glouftsis told womens.afl.
"I loved playing footy growing up, and there just wasn't opportunities to play at that time. I took up an umpiring path and I wouldn't go back now, but to see the AFLW up and running and the success of the last few years is just fantastic.
"We only have 34 AFL-listed field umpires in Australia and we have to fill 27 spots a week in the AFL men's rounds, so that can be tricky to fill with injuries and things.
"We want to really help build that pool of umpires, so when the AFLW expands, we can help accommodate that with the best umpires possible."
Including the AFLW in their schedules means an earlier start than normal for AFL umpires, but the February heat doesn't faze Glouftsis.
"We start with club visits in December, so the weather is definitely hot, but I'm really excited to get into matches. I can't wait."
Seasoned AFL umpires Simon Meredith (a five-time Grand Final whistleblower) and 'Razor' Ray Chamberlain are also confirmed starters for the 2020 home and away season.
Last edited:
TigermanM2
Norm Smith Medallist
- Mar 7, 2013
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JAN 30. 2020. 5:54 PM
League, clubs seeking answers to list shortages
Sarah Black
AS INJURIES and work commitments continue to affect AFL Women's lists, the AFL is in discussion with clubs regarding the issue.
AFLW lists sit at 30 players for the eight-round, three-weeks-of-finals season, but a number of players have already withdrawn for a variety of reasons, whether that be work or personal.
There have also been a series of season-ending injuries, with Melbourne already down three players (Bianca Jakobsson through work) and Adelaide with two.
The Crows also have an additional four players recovering from knee injuries, taking their list to just 24 ahead of round one against Brisbane.
Clubs cannot promote a train-on player to a match-player until they have fewer than 23 available for selection, with North Melbourne's Jess Duffin the only player to have been replaced this pre-season after announcing her pregnancy.
Train-on players are generally state league-affiliated, although Melbourne has the likes of former AFLW players Sarah Perkins and Kirby Bentley working with the club once a week.
"There's been a lot of discussions about list size in terms of the activation of once it reaches 23, being able to top players up," AFL head of women's football Nicole Livingstone said.
"We did make a determination on an application from North Melbourne about Jess Duffin's replacement. We do view pregnancy as different to illness or injury, and I'm sure you'd support us in considering that's different.
"We continue to speak to the clubs, and we've said to them that if they feel they have any exceptional circumstances to be able to elevate train-ons to top-ups, then they can come to us."
The exception Livingstone mentioned is in regard to health and safety purposes, generally in the categories of rucks, with that application cut-off occurring this coming Friday.
Fremantle is teetering close to this mark, with 18-year-old Mim Strom the only fit ruck after Aine Tighe's knee injury, expected to be confirmed in the coming days as one which will rule her out for most, if not all, the season.
The Dockers also lost draftee Ann McMahon to a shocking double injury in late December, breaking one leg and tearing the ACL in her other knee when hit on the side of the road while performing her job as a police officer.
When asked specifically if Fremantle had made contact in regard to replacing McMahon, given the circumstances around her injury, Livingstone said the AFL continues to have conversations with all clubs.
"I'll continue to keep in touch with Darryn (Fry, operations manager) and the team at Fremantle. Ann was really unfortunate to be in that situation. I do feel for her and for the club, but again, it's a workplace [injury]," she said.
"If a player isn't able to fulfil their duties either by work pulling them away – because we have had situations like that where they aren't available – that is deemed as not available for your duties, as oppose to pregnancy which is not the same."
Livingstone also said preparations were being made in the case of capacity being met at Ikon Park for the season opener between Richmond and Carlton, with a screen going to be set up on the lawn outside the ground.
The game will not be ticketed.
League, clubs seeking answers to list shortages
Sarah Black
AS INJURIES and work commitments continue to affect AFL Women's lists, the AFL is in discussion with clubs regarding the issue.
AFLW lists sit at 30 players for the eight-round, three-weeks-of-finals season, but a number of players have already withdrawn for a variety of reasons, whether that be work or personal.
There have also been a series of season-ending injuries, with Melbourne already down three players (Bianca Jakobsson through work) and Adelaide with two.
The Crows also have an additional four players recovering from knee injuries, taking their list to just 24 ahead of round one against Brisbane.
Clubs cannot promote a train-on player to a match-player until they have fewer than 23 available for selection, with North Melbourne's Jess Duffin the only player to have been replaced this pre-season after announcing her pregnancy.
Train-on players are generally state league-affiliated, although Melbourne has the likes of former AFLW players Sarah Perkins and Kirby Bentley working with the club once a week.
"There's been a lot of discussions about list size in terms of the activation of once it reaches 23, being able to top players up," AFL head of women's football Nicole Livingstone said.
"We did make a determination on an application from North Melbourne about Jess Duffin's replacement. We do view pregnancy as different to illness or injury, and I'm sure you'd support us in considering that's different.
"We continue to speak to the clubs, and we've said to them that if they feel they have any exceptional circumstances to be able to elevate train-ons to top-ups, then they can come to us."
The exception Livingstone mentioned is in regard to health and safety purposes, generally in the categories of rucks, with that application cut-off occurring this coming Friday.
Fremantle is teetering close to this mark, with 18-year-old Mim Strom the only fit ruck after Aine Tighe's knee injury, expected to be confirmed in the coming days as one which will rule her out for most, if not all, the season.
The Dockers also lost draftee Ann McMahon to a shocking double injury in late December, breaking one leg and tearing the ACL in her other knee when hit on the side of the road while performing her job as a police officer.
When asked specifically if Fremantle had made contact in regard to replacing McMahon, given the circumstances around her injury, Livingstone said the AFL continues to have conversations with all clubs.
"I'll continue to keep in touch with Darryn (Fry, operations manager) and the team at Fremantle. Ann was really unfortunate to be in that situation. I do feel for her and for the club, but again, it's a workplace [injury]," she said.
"If a player isn't able to fulfil their duties either by work pulling them away – because we have had situations like that where they aren't available – that is deemed as not available for your duties, as oppose to pregnancy which is not the same."
Livingstone also said preparations were being made in the case of capacity being met at Ikon Park for the season opener between Richmond and Carlton, with a screen going to be set up on the lawn outside the ground.
The game will not be ticketed.
TigermanM2
Norm Smith Medallist
- Mar 7, 2013
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- #157
We get glimpses from club videos and photos of VFLW players who are still training and now we know why. They are "train-on" players who will be upgraded to AFLW list should the player availability drop below 23.
There is no official list of train-ons but I've seen a few including Teagan Brett still doing stuff.
There is no official list of train-ons but I've seen a few including Teagan Brett still doing stuff.
TigermanM2
Norm Smith Medallist
- Mar 7, 2013
- 8,145
- 26,240
- AFL Club
- Richmond
- Thread starter
- #158
Geelong's Meg McDonald broke a finger and she'll miss the first 4 weeks.
Massive blow for the cats as Meg was an All Australian defender least year and took out their B & F.
Play Geelong R4
2020 might be survival of the fittest.
Massive blow for the cats as Meg was an All Australian defender least year and took out their B & F.
Play Geelong R4
2020 might be survival of the fittest.
TigermanM2
Norm Smith Medallist
- Mar 7, 2013
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- #159
FEB 1. 2020. 10:00 AM
Mock teams: How AFLW's new clubs will line up in round one
Sarah Black
THIS time next week, four new teams will be making their debuts in the NAB AFL Women's competition.
Womens.afl has put its selectors' hat on and predicted how sides will line up in their inaugural games.
Just a reminder if you're a new fan to the AFLW competition, sides have 16 on the field (a 5-6-5 formation at centre bounces), with five on the bench.
GOLD COAST
B: Serene Watson, Leah Kaslar, Tayla Thorn
HB: Tiarna Ernst, Sam Virgo
C: Paige Parker, Jacqui Yorston, Tori Groves-Little
HF: Jasmyn Hewett, Britt Perry
FF: Jordann Hickey, Taylor Smith, Maddy Roberts
Foll: Lauren Bella, Jamie Stanton, Jade Pregelj
Int: Dee Heslop, Molly Ritson, Sally Riley, Kate Surman, Cheyenne Hammond
Others: Lauren Ahrens, Georgia Breward, Hannah Dunn, Alexia Hamilton, Charlotte Hammans, Ellie Hampson, Kalinda Howarth, Emma Pittman, Kitara Whap-Farrar
First-choice players Emma Pittman (ACL), Kitara Whap-Farrar (knee) and Ellie Hampson (ankle) are all confirmed to miss at least round one through injury.
The Suns line-up is young and local, with some classy draftees in Serene Watson and Dee Heslop supported by players brought in from the club's academy, including midfielders Kate Surman and Molly Ritson and small forward Maddy Roberts.
RICHMOND
B: Sarah Sansonetti, Rebecca Miller, Laura Bailey
HB: Phoebe Monahan, Akec Makur Chuot
C: Ella Wood, Grace Campbell, Maddy Brancatisano
HF: Sabrina Frederick, Christina Bernardi
FF: Tayla Stahl, Courtney Wakefield, Laura McClelland
Foll: Alice Edmonds, Katie Brennan, Monique Conti
Int: Holly Whitfield, Gabby Seymour, Kodi Jacques, Sophie Molan, Lauren Tesoriero
Others: Hannah Burchell, Nekaela Butler, Kate Dempsey, Ciara Fitzgerald, Emily Harley, Emma Horne, Iilish Ross, Cleo Saxon-Jones, Alana Woodward
The Tigers look set to field a few established stars of the game (Katie Brennan, Monique Conti and Christina Bernardi) alongside a mix of VFLW players and young draftees.
Laura Bailey, Akec Makur Chuot and Holly Whitfield are among players delisted from clubs who get a second shot, while 18-year-olds Sophie Molan, Ella Wood and Laura McClelland have impressed this pre-season.
Grace Campbell has been a star of the Tigers' VFLW side, but is yet to play a pre-season match, so is one to watch around selection.
ST KILDA
B: Clara Fitzpatrick, Serena Karlson, Tamara Luke
HB: Ali Brown, Tilly Lucas-Rodd
C: Ali Drennan, Olivia Vesely, Georgia Patrikios
HF: Kate Shierlaw, Molly McDonald
FF: Caitlin Greiser, Kate McCarthy, Jess Sedunary
Foll: Poppy Kelly, Rosie Dillon, Nat Exon
Int: Darcy Guttridge, Samantha Johnson, Cat Phillips, Nicola Xenos, Emma Mackie
Others: Melissa Kuys, Courteney Munn, Kelly O'Neill, Hannah Priest, Isabella Shannon, Nadia von Bertouch, Rhiannon Watt, Tarni White, Claudia Whitfort
It's a very steady, if relatively unknown, team sheet coming out of Moorabbin.
The word from other clubs is the Saints have the most well-rounded coverage across the field out of the four new sides, with a bulk of players coming from the club's VFLW team Southern Saints.
There's AFLW experience in the forward line with Kate Shierlaw, Kate McCarthy and Jess Sedunary, while classy pick No.5 Georgia Patrikios looks set for a big season in the midfield.
WEST COAST
B: McKenzie Dowrick, Mhicca Carter, Talia Radan
HB: Ashton Hill, Emily McGuire
C: Emily Bonser, Melissa Caulfield, Mikayla Bowen
HF: Ashlee Atkins, Emma Swanson
FF: Grace Kelly, Tarnee Tester, Kellie Gibson
Foll: Danika Pisconeri, Dana Hooker, Imahra Cameron
Int: Parris Laurie, Courtney Guard, Niamh Kelly, Sophie McDonald, Belinda Smith
Others: Kate Bartlett, Hayley Bullas, Maddy Collier, Cassie Davidson, Beatrice Devlyn, Alicia Janz, Kate Orme, Chantella Perera
There's so far one definite omission from West Coast's side, with ruck Alicia Janz ruled out for the season with a meniscus injury.
The Eagles had strong patches in a practice match against Richmond, with the club's first draftee Imahra Cameron impressing out of the centre square.
Consistency across the board could be an issue, but any forward line containing Kellie Gibson and WAFLW leading goalkicker Tarnee Tester is a dangerous prospect.
Mock teams: How AFLW's new clubs will line up in round one
Sarah Black
THIS time next week, four new teams will be making their debuts in the NAB AFL Women's competition.
Womens.afl has put its selectors' hat on and predicted how sides will line up in their inaugural games.
Just a reminder if you're a new fan to the AFLW competition, sides have 16 on the field (a 5-6-5 formation at centre bounces), with five on the bench.
GOLD COAST
B: Serene Watson, Leah Kaslar, Tayla Thorn
HB: Tiarna Ernst, Sam Virgo
C: Paige Parker, Jacqui Yorston, Tori Groves-Little
HF: Jasmyn Hewett, Britt Perry
FF: Jordann Hickey, Taylor Smith, Maddy Roberts
Foll: Lauren Bella, Jamie Stanton, Jade Pregelj
Int: Dee Heslop, Molly Ritson, Sally Riley, Kate Surman, Cheyenne Hammond
Others: Lauren Ahrens, Georgia Breward, Hannah Dunn, Alexia Hamilton, Charlotte Hammans, Ellie Hampson, Kalinda Howarth, Emma Pittman, Kitara Whap-Farrar
First-choice players Emma Pittman (ACL), Kitara Whap-Farrar (knee) and Ellie Hampson (ankle) are all confirmed to miss at least round one through injury.
The Suns line-up is young and local, with some classy draftees in Serene Watson and Dee Heslop supported by players brought in from the club's academy, including midfielders Kate Surman and Molly Ritson and small forward Maddy Roberts.
RICHMOND
B: Sarah Sansonetti, Rebecca Miller, Laura Bailey
HB: Phoebe Monahan, Akec Makur Chuot
C: Ella Wood, Grace Campbell, Maddy Brancatisano
HF: Sabrina Frederick, Christina Bernardi
FF: Tayla Stahl, Courtney Wakefield, Laura McClelland
Foll: Alice Edmonds, Katie Brennan, Monique Conti
Int: Holly Whitfield, Gabby Seymour, Kodi Jacques, Sophie Molan, Lauren Tesoriero
Others: Hannah Burchell, Nekaela Butler, Kate Dempsey, Ciara Fitzgerald, Emily Harley, Emma Horne, Iilish Ross, Cleo Saxon-Jones, Alana Woodward
The Tigers look set to field a few established stars of the game (Katie Brennan, Monique Conti and Christina Bernardi) alongside a mix of VFLW players and young draftees.
Laura Bailey, Akec Makur Chuot and Holly Whitfield are among players delisted from clubs who get a second shot, while 18-year-olds Sophie Molan, Ella Wood and Laura McClelland have impressed this pre-season.
Grace Campbell has been a star of the Tigers' VFLW side, but is yet to play a pre-season match, so is one to watch around selection.
ST KILDA
B: Clara Fitzpatrick, Serena Karlson, Tamara Luke
HB: Ali Brown, Tilly Lucas-Rodd
C: Ali Drennan, Olivia Vesely, Georgia Patrikios
HF: Kate Shierlaw, Molly McDonald
FF: Caitlin Greiser, Kate McCarthy, Jess Sedunary
Foll: Poppy Kelly, Rosie Dillon, Nat Exon
Int: Darcy Guttridge, Samantha Johnson, Cat Phillips, Nicola Xenos, Emma Mackie
Others: Melissa Kuys, Courteney Munn, Kelly O'Neill, Hannah Priest, Isabella Shannon, Nadia von Bertouch, Rhiannon Watt, Tarni White, Claudia Whitfort
It's a very steady, if relatively unknown, team sheet coming out of Moorabbin.
The word from other clubs is the Saints have the most well-rounded coverage across the field out of the four new sides, with a bulk of players coming from the club's VFLW team Southern Saints.
There's AFLW experience in the forward line with Kate Shierlaw, Kate McCarthy and Jess Sedunary, while classy pick No.5 Georgia Patrikios looks set for a big season in the midfield.
WEST COAST
B: McKenzie Dowrick, Mhicca Carter, Talia Radan
HB: Ashton Hill, Emily McGuire
C: Emily Bonser, Melissa Caulfield, Mikayla Bowen
HF: Ashlee Atkins, Emma Swanson
FF: Grace Kelly, Tarnee Tester, Kellie Gibson
Foll: Danika Pisconeri, Dana Hooker, Imahra Cameron
Int: Parris Laurie, Courtney Guard, Niamh Kelly, Sophie McDonald, Belinda Smith
Others: Kate Bartlett, Hayley Bullas, Maddy Collier, Cassie Davidson, Beatrice Devlyn, Alicia Janz, Kate Orme, Chantella Perera
There's so far one definite omission from West Coast's side, with ruck Alicia Janz ruled out for the season with a meniscus injury.
The Eagles had strong patches in a practice match against Richmond, with the club's first draftee Imahra Cameron impressing out of the centre square.
Consistency across the board could be an issue, but any forward line containing Kellie Gibson and WAFLW leading goalkicker Tarnee Tester is a dangerous prospect.
TigermanM2
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Soooooo......
Kate Sheahan confirmed on the outerSanctum podcast that 2 players will miss round 1 due to injury.
The only injuries I know are Sophie Molan who came from the ground in the practice match with a head knock and I saw Tayla Stahl limping. You would think Sophie would be ok after 2 weeks. Tayla played out the game but it’s possible that it continues to niggle her.
There’s also a question mark over Grace Campbell.
Kate Sheahan confirmed on the outerSanctum podcast that 2 players will miss round 1 due to injury.
The only injuries I know are Sophie Molan who came from the ground in the practice match with a head knock and I saw Tayla Stahl limping. You would think Sophie would be ok after 2 weeks. Tayla played out the game but it’s possible that it continues to niggle her.
There’s also a question mark over Grace Campbell.
- Feb 14, 2018
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I think Grace Campbell is not going to line up in round 1, hasn't played in any practice matches
Sophie Molan came off with a slight head knock but wasn't anything to worry about
I'm guessing the other one in doubt is Illish Ross, hasn't played any practice matches
TigermanM2
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I really like these
TigermanM2
Norm Smith Medallist
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No not Stahl! She’s the one I’m most excited about! Was fantastic in the VFLW and would be a great asset for us.
Hopefully it isn’t serious.
RedmanWasHere
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The club's inaugural headshots are now on the website.
Phar Ace
Brownlow Medallist
Yep Tayla Stahl could be anything in a league only lightly spotted with genuine stars. Hope she is OK.
TigermanM2
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Yeah I hope so and she plays. I don’t have any info that she is the one that is injured. Just putting 2 and 2 together after what I saw in the practice match but my 2 plus 2 may be equaling 5 and off the mark.
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OK cool, I’ll relax until there is confirmation then
TigermanM2
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AFLW 2020 club by club: lists, key players and predictions
By Daniel Cherny
February 2, 2020 — 12.36pm
Having put a tumultuous period of collective bargaining agreement negotiations behind them, AFLW players are back for the fourth season of the national women's competition.
Yet again the league has a different look, with four new clubs joining the party: Richmond, St Kilda, Gold Coast and West Coast. The controversial conference system is back too, with teams split into two conferences of seven sides. Season length has expanded, but only to eight home and away matches plus three weeks of finals, meaning teams play every other side in their conference twice as well as having two cross-conference opponents.
The finals will run for three weekends, with the top three sides from both conferences advancing. The top side from both conferences will head directly through to the preliminary final stage, with the second and third sides from the respective conferences needing to get through elimination finals first. Here's how the teams are looking ahead of round one, which begins on Friday night.
Conference A
Adelaide
Coach: Matthew Clarke
Co-captains: Erin Phillips and Chelsea Randall
Squad: Caitlin Gould, Eloise Jones, Angela Foley, Chloe Scheer, Courtney Gum, Hannah Button (nee Martin), Nikki Gore, Najwa Allen, Deni Varnhagen, Ebony Marinoff, Rhiannon Metcalfe, Chelsea Biddell, Maisie Nankivell, Erin Phillips, Stevie-Lee Thompson, Danielle Ponter, Ailish Considine, Madison Newman, Ruth Wallace, Sophie Li, Nicole Campbell, Montana McKinnon, Courtney Cramey, Justine Mules, Jessica Foley, Chelsea Randall, Renee Forth, Jaimi Tabb, Dayna Cox, Marijana Rajcic, Anne Hatchard, Sarah Allan.
Key player: Erin Phillips. Phillips has been the standout player of the competition's history to date, claiming two league best and fairest titles and looking a class above when fit due to her skill and outrageous athleticism. Dangerous both forward and in the midfield, she can turn a game in little time. But the veteran ruptured her ACL in last year's grand final and faces a delayed start to the season. The Crows' chances of going back-to-back may hinge on how much football they can get from their co-captain.
Last season: Premiers (8-1)
The Crows lost the opening game of their season by a point to the Western Bulldogs before wiping the floor with the rest of the competition, winning eight straight matches in what ultimately proved to be a premiership procession. No one got within five goals of them from round four onwards, with Adelaide's coronation coming as they crushed Carlton by 45 points in front of more than 53,000 fans at Adelaide Oval.
Prediction: Adelaide again loom as the team to beat, given their already strong core – the Crows had five All-Australians last year – and the fact they've been largely immune to the expansion raiders, an advantage of being in a one-team town. The biggest threat to Adelaide's campaign could be injuries. Phillips, Metcalfe and Scheer are all on the road back from ACL injuries, while midfielder Martin and brilliant co-captain Randall will both miss the season following knee reconstructions. Wing Varnhagen is also facing a delayed start to her campaign following a knee injury sustained in a practice match last weekend against Fremantle.
Brisbane Lions
Coach: Craig Starcevich
Captain: Emma Zielke
Squad: Emily Bates, Jordan Zanchetta, Breanna Koenen, Sharni Webb, Jade Ellenger, Lily Postlehwaite, Gabby Collingwood, Emma Zielke, Orla O'Dwyer, Natalie Grider, Rheanne Lugg, Sophie Conway, Kate Lutkins, Dakota Davidson, Greta Bodey, Lauren Arnell, Isabel Dawes, Ally Anderson, Selina Priest, Shannon Campbell, Arianna Clarke, Brianna McFarlane, Jess Wuetschner, Tahlia Hickie, Catherine Svarc, Lucy Bellinger, Jessy Keeffe, Maria Moloney, Hannah Hillman.
Key player: Jess Wuetschner. There have been few more consistent forwards in the competition across the first few seasons than the tenacious and crafty Wuetschner, who was an All-Australian in 2018 and has kicked 26 goals from 23 AFLW matches, second only to the incomparable Phillips. Pocket rocket Wuetschner survived a major scare on the eve of the season after she was struck by lightning while working on the docks in Brisbane, however the Tasmanian remains on track to play in round one.
How they went last year: Fourth in conference B (2-5)
Losing grand finalists in both of the first two AFLW seasons, the Lions were unable to replicate that form in 2019. Their best was still strong – beating reigning premiers the Western Bulldogs on the road in round four – but overall they were mediocre. A finals spot still beckoned heading into the last round of the season but Brisbane's loss to the previously winless Collingwood showed that the Lions ultimately weren't up to the mark.
Prediction: The Bulldogs have also been pillaged over the journey, but perhaps no club has been harder hit by expansion than the Lions, who head into 2020 looking worryingly inexperienced. Tayla Harris, Jamie Stanton and Kaitlyn Ashmore left across the first couple of years of the competition before Sabrina Frederick, Nat Exon, Kate McCarthy, captain Leah Kaslar, Sam Virgo and Jacqui Yorston departed at the end of last season, not to mention assistant coach David Lake who has taken the reins at Gold Coast. Having gone goalless in their practice match against Greater Western Sydney last weekend, a tough year looms for the Lions.
Geelong
Coach: Paul Hood
Captain: Melissa Hickey
Squad: Rene Caris, Danielle Higgins, Amy McDonald, Cassie Blakeway, Jordan Ivey, Julia Crockett-Grills, Madisen Maguire, Kate Darby, Nina Morrison, Georgie Rankin, Meg McDonald, Renee Garing, Aasta O'Connor, Gemma Wright, Olivia Purcell, Georgia Clarke, Melissa Hickey, Millie Brown, Mia Skinner, Becky Webster, Nicole Garner, Phoebe McWilliams, Maddy McMahon, Madeleine Boyd, Sophie Van De Heuvel, Denby Taylor, Richelle Cranston, Anna Teague, Bec Goring, Maddy Keryk.
Key player: Meg McDonald. Discarded by the Bulldogs after the first season of AFLW, McDonald made the Dogs regret that decision with a brilliant debut campaign for the Cats last season. Shifted into defence, McDonald was reliable in the air, and was one of the big reasons Geelong made it to the finals in their first season. She was rewarded with All-Australian selection and claimed the Cats' inaugural AFLW best and fairest gong even after playing the back end of the season with a stress fracture in her foot. But the Geelong vice-captain broke her finger at training on Thursday night and has been ruled out until at least the midway point of the season
Last season: Losing preliminary finalists (3-5).
It was a funny old first season for the Cats, who ended up making the finals despite having the worst percentage in the competition. Geelong benefitted from the fact they were placed in the ultimately much weaker Conference B, with narrow wins over Collingwood and Carlton proving telling. But Geelong had averaged just 22 points across the home and away season, and their lack of firepower was laid bare in a 66-point finals thrashing at the hands of the Crows.
Prediction: The Cats went with a young squad for their first season, hoping their group would grow together in the coming years. Last year's finals berth will be difficult to back up though given the way they made it, although the return of 2018's No.1 draft pick Nina Morrison – who tore her ACL at training days after the round one win over Collingwood last season – should be a big boost to the Cats' midfield. The loss of McDonald will hurt.
Gold Coast
Coach: David Lake
Co-captains: Leah Kaslar and Sam Virgo
Squad: Paige Parker, Lauren Bella, Tori Groves-Little, Jordann Hickey, Jacqui Yorston, Charlotte Hammans, Lauren Ahrens, Sally Riley, Emma Pittman, Maddy Roberts, Leah Kaslar, Molly Ritson, Taylor Smith, Serene Watson, Tayla Thorn, Brittany Perry, Jamie Stanton, Kitara Whap-Farrar, Tiarna Ernst, Jasmyn Hewett, Ellie Hampson, Sam Virgo, Kalinda Howarth, Hannah Dunn, Dee Heslop, Kate Surman, Cheyenne Hammond, Lexi Hamilton, Jade Pregelj, Georgia Breward.
Key player: Leah Kaslar. One of several players to have defected from the Lions, there was perhaps no bigger signing for the expansion club than the defender, who captained Brisbane last year. The dependable veteran plays tall at 171 centimetres and was a member of the All-Australian squad in 2017.
Last season: NA
Prediction: Gold Coast tried to pick the eyes out of what was an already depleted Lions squad, while they've also landed a handful of players from reigning premiers Adelaide. But the bulk of their list is made up of inexperienced Queenslanders. The junior girls' pathway in the Sunshine State has been a successful breeding ground, but depth will be tested. A practice match defeat to fellow expansion club St Kilda probably showed the Suns' level.
Greater Western Sydney
Coach: Alan McConnell
Captain: Alicia Eva
Squad: Emily Goodsir, Alicia Eva, Alyce Parker, Maggie Gorham, Jodie Hicks, Rebecca Beeson, Jess Dal Pos, Nicola Barr, Tanya Hetherington, Ellie Brush, Aimee Schmidt, Louise Stephenson, Cora Staunton, Annalyse Lister, Lisa Whiteley, Taylah Davies, Georgia Garnett, Rebecca Privitelli, Lisa Steane, Pepa Randall, Elle Bennetts, Erin McKinnon, Haneen Zrelka, Ingrid Nielsen, Yvonne Bonner, Sarah Halvorsen, Tait Mackrill, Jacinda Barclay, Britt Tully, Jess Allan.
Key player: Cora Staunton. A legend of Gaelic football in Ireland, Staunton turned her hand to the Australian game a couple of years ago and has become one of the Giants' best players, proving a handful up forward over the past couple of years. A broken leg suffered while playing in the AFL Sydney competition last May threatened to end her career, but at 38 she has inspirationally returned and has been elevated to the GWS leadership group.
Last season: Third in conference B (2-5).
Hopes for the Giants were high after a promising 2018 season in which they narrowly missed a grand final berth. But things just didn't click for GWS last year, with several important players unable to replicate their form from 12 months earlier. Three straight losses to start the season left them with an uphill battle, although a comfortable final-round win over the Cats was a reminder of the group's potential.
Prediction: Like the Crows, the Giants benefit from the fact they are in a one-team state. But they still lost crafty forward Christina Bernardi and midfielder Phoebe Monahan to Richmond, as well as experienced on-baller Emma Swanson to West Coast. Inaugural Giants captain Amanda Farrugia also announced her retirement last year, leaving GWS reasonably depleted. However there is still plenty of talent on this list, evidenced by the way they put the Lions to the sword last weekend.
North Melbourne
Coach: Scott Gowans
Captain: Emma Kearney
Squad: Sophie Abbatangelo, Daria Bannister, Taylor Mesiti, Elisha King, Kate Gillespie-Jones, Emma Humphries, Ashleigh Riddell, Aileen Gilroy, Emma Kearney, Kaitlyn Ashmore, Daisy Bateman, Nicole Bresnehan, Mairead Seoighe, Tahlia Randall, Sarah Wright, Brittany Gibson, Jasmine Grierson, Bethany Lynch, Jessica Trend, Ellie Gavalas, Mia King, Tahni Nestor, Jasmine Garner, Abbey Green, Jess Duffin, Libby Haines, Chloe Haines, Danielle Hardiman, Jenna Bruton, Vivien Saad, Emma King.
Key player: Jasmine Garner. The key forward will forever be etched in history having kicked the first goal in the history of AFLW when playing for Collingwood against Carlton in the opening round of 2017. She moved to Arden Street ahead of North's inaugural AFLW campaign and again impressed, making the All-Australian side and forming part of a prolific Kangaroos outfit.
Last season: Third in Conference A (5-2).
North had ruffled feathers with an audacious recruiting spree leading into their first AFLW season so unsurprisingly expectations were high heading into the 2019 campaign. The Roos started with four straight wins including a thumping victory over reigning premiers the Bulldogs, but were brought down to earth by Adelaide in round five. The Roos headed to Western Australia, needing to beat Fremantle to make the finals but were trumped by the Dockers. North could consider themselves stiff to have missed the finals given their record would have been enough to top the other conference.
Prediction: North again look like one of the teams to beat. They weren't that far off the mark last season and have looked to improve their forward pressure, resulting in the controversial decision to delist high-profile goalkicker Moana Hope after just one season at the club. The loss of All-Australian defender Jess Duffin – who will miss the season because of pregnancy – leaves a hole but this is a very talented group that should contend for a flag.
Richmond
Coach: Tom Hunter
Captain: Katie Brennan
Squad: Sophie Molan, Phoebe Monahan, Katie Brennan, Monique Conti, Madeline Brancatisano, Christina Bernardi, Lauren Tesoriero, Courtney Wakefield, Hannah Burchell, Kodi Jacques, Alice Edmonds, Laura Bailey, Alana Woodward, Sabrina Frederick, Rebecca Miller, Laura McClelland, Ella Wood, Sarah Sansonetti, Kate Dempsey, Holly Whitford, Iilish Ross, Nekaela Butler, Emma Horne, Tayla Stahl, Cleo Saxon-Jones, Ciara Fitzgerald, Emily Harley, Gabby Seymour, Akec Makur Chuot, Grace Campbell.
Key player: Monique Conti. Brennan might be the captain and a bigger name for now but Conti – who only turned 20 in December – could be the Tigers' best signing. Traded from the Western Bulldogs after a tense and acrimonious period in which the AFL ultimately handed Richmond pick one to trade for the midfielder, Conti has shown her quality already in two seasons since making her debut, named best afield in the Dogs' 2018 grand final before claiming the club's best and fairest and being named All-Australian last season. Conti has turned her back on the WNBL's Melbourne Boomers, with the cross-code star set to channel all her energies for now on helping the Tigers into the finals.
Last season: NA
Prediction: The Tigers were much more successful than fellow expansion side St Kilda in landing big-name recruits for their entry into the competition. Richmond's side looks pretty talented on paper, although like several sides their depth could be an issue. Keen to establish herself as one of the competition's leading midfielders, Brennan is only expected to pinch-hit as a forward, but as shown in the practice match against West Coast, the likes of Bernardi, Stahl and Wakefield can be a handful, not to mention the imposing figure of Frederick.
Conference B
Carlton
Coach: Daniel Harford
Co-captains: Katie Loynes and Kerryn Harrington
Squad: Grace Egan, Katie Loynes, Darcy Vescio, Madison Prespakis, Abbie McKay, Gabriella Pound, Tayla Harris, Vaomua Laloifi, Kerryn Harrington, Sarah Hosking, Jess Hosking, Lauren Brazzale, Lucy McEvoy, Brooke Walker, Chloe Dalton, Breann Moody, Katie Harrison, Georgia Gee, Charlotte Wilson, Nicola Stevens, Courtney Jones, Sharnie Whiting, Jess Edwards, Joanne Doonan, Emerson Woods, Alison Downie, Brooke Vernon, Natalie Plane, Serena Gibbs, Jayde Van Dyk.
Key player: Madison Prespakis. Taken as the No.3 draft pick in 2018, Prespakis burst onto the scene last year. The nuggety midfielder showed her class from early in the season and produced a debut campaign to savour. She was a lay down misere for the Rising Star award, and earned All-Australian selection as a teenager. Prespakis has plenty of upside too, and if she can improve her tank could soon be in discussions for the league's best player.
Last season: 5-4 (Runners-up)
From the ashes of a wooden-spoon finish the previous year, Harford turned things around at Ikon Park, with his vibrant and jovial personality translating into the way his side played the game. The Blues lost three of their first four but charged home and brushed Fremantle aside in the preliminary final although Carlton were ultimately no match for the mighty Crows on grand final day.
Prediction: The defection of captain Brianna Davey to arch rivals Collingwood pained the Blues but they look to have made the most of the loss, picking up young gun midfielder Lucy McEvoy with the No.2 pick they gained in the trade for Davey. There is an experienced core which has proven itself capable of making an impact, and with Prespakis and McEvoy on the rise the Blues should again be competitive. Harford has flagged a move forward for Stevens, who made a name for herself in defence.
Collingwood
Coach: Steve Symonds
Captain: Steph Chiocci
Squad: Sharni Layton, Chloe Molloy, Brianna Davey, Sarah D'Arcy, Emma Grant, Jordyn Allen, Sarah Rowe, Brittany Bonnici, Alana Porter, Ashleigh Brazill, Eliza Hynes, Stacey Livingstone, Jaimee Lambert, Aishling Sheridan, Erica Fowler, Katie Lynch, Stephanie Chiocci, Ruby Schleicher, Kaila Bentvelzen, Jordan Membrey, Sophie Casey, Lauren Butler, Sophie Alexander, Mikala Cann, Georgia Gourlay, Machaelia Roberts, Maddie Shevlin, Kristy Stratton, Sarah Dargan, Ebony O'Dea.
Key player: Chloe Molloy. The No.3 selection in the 2017 draft, Molloy quickly established herself as one of the league's best defenders, playing her architect role to a tee in 2018. She was named the league's Rising Star, finished second in the competition's best and fairest, and was an All-Australian. However a serious foot injury ruled her out of the 2018 season, badly hurting the Pies. But she is back, and if she can recapture her best will make a substantial difference.
Last season: 1-6 (Last in conference A)
Pillaged by rival clubs – in particular North Melbourne – the Pies were always going to be up against it last year, especially given Molloy's injury. Their young group was plucky but struggled to ice games, and only on the final day of the home and away season did Collingwood avoid becoming the first team to go through an AFLW season winless, beating the Lions at Victoria Park. Despite the gains made by some of their youth, coach Wayne Siekman was not retained after three barren seasons.
Prediction: The versatile Davey and classy Molloy should both provide a boost to the Pies, who are yet to make the AFLW finals. However South Australian Symonds still faces an uphill battle, particularly when it comes to finding regular avenues to goal.
Fremantle
Coach: Trent Cooper
Captain: Kara Antonio
Squad: Ashley Sharp, Kiara Bowers, Emma O'Driscoll, Mia-Rae Clifford, Tayla Bresland, Sabreena Duffy, Jasmin Stewart, Evie Gooch, Alex Williams, Aine Tighe, Lindal Rohde , Ebony Antonio, Katie-Jayne Grieve, Leah Mascall, Kara Antonio (nee Donnellan), Sarah Garstone, Roxanne Roux, Philipa Seth, Hayley Miller, Stephanie Cain, Mim Strom, Gabby O'Sullivan, Matilda Sergeant, Ange Stannett, Ann McMahon, Bianca Webb, Gemma Houghton, Janelle Cuthbertson ,Laura Pugh, Kate Flood.
Key player: Ebony Antonio: The versatile Antonio – who married teammate Kara Donnellan late last year – can play at either end of the ground. An All-Australian in 2018, she stands out as one of the Dockers' guns.
Last season: 6-2 (losing preliminary finalists)
New coach Cooper took the Dockers into uncharted waters last year. Boosted by the return of Bowers from injury, Fremantle surged through the home and away season in the tougher Conference A, losing only once in the minor rounds to finish second behind Adelaide. However the Dockers couldn't bring their best to Ikon Park when the stakes were high, sent packing by the Blues.
Prediction: While perhaps not hit quite as hard as the Lions, Fremantle were always going to look weaker on paper this year given the addition of West Coast, who sought to pick the eyes out of the top West Australian talent on Freo's list. Melissa Caulfield, Ashlee Atkins and in particular All-Australian Dana Hooker take some replacing. Still, the way the Dockers powered through 2019, it would be foolish to write them off. They also landed elite young WA talent Roxy Roux in last year's draft.
Melbourne
Coach: Mick Stinear
Captain: Daisy Pearce
Squad: Tegan Cunningham, Meg Downie, Maddison Gay, Karen Paxman, Elisa O'Dea, Daisy Pearce, Bianca Jakobsson, Sarah Lampard, Libby Birch, Kate Hore, Chantel Emonson, Shelley Scott, Katherine Smith, Lily Mithen, Lauren Pearce. Aliesha Newman, Niamh McEvoy, Casey Sherriff, Jacqueline Perry, Brenna Tarrant, Harriet Cordner, Maddy Guerin, Sinead Goldrick, Shae Sloane, Tyla Hanks, Eden Zanker, Shelley Heath, Krstel Petrevski, Gabrielle Colvin, Ainslie Kemp.
Key player: Daisy Pearce. It's hard to go past the iconic Pearce, who returns to the game after missing last season to give birth to twins. But the midfielder is back and looks in fine fettle, appearing a class above in last week's practice match against Collingwood. Set to turn 32 in May, Pearce might be approaching the twilight of her career but her skills and footy smarts leave her in good stead to keep thriving after All-Australian gongs in 2017 and 2018.
Last season: Fourth in Conference A (4-3).
It was a frustratingly familiar story for the Demons, who have been among the most consistent sides across the first three seasons of AFLW without making the finals. Having narrowly missed the decider in both 2017 and 2018, the Dees remained mathematically in the hunt heading into the final round of 2019 but were thumped by Adelaide to unceremoniously end Melbourne's season.
Prediction: Compared in particular to the Bulldogs, the Dees were relatively spared during the expansion signing period, with their highest-profile departure being that of Cat Phillips to St Kilda. And given that Pearce is effectively a recruit, the Dees could optimistically expect to be a better side this year. That is however before injuries are taken into account, and the Demons haven't fared well on that front. Defenders Shae Sloane and Katherine Smith have both undergone knee reconstructions while gun ruck Lauren Pearce will miss the start of the season following a knee injury of her own.
St Kilda
Coach: Peta Searle
Co-captains: Rhiannon Watt, Cat Phillips and Kate Shierlaw
Squad: Molly McDonald, Alison Brown, Emma Mackie, Claudia Whitfort, Darcy Guttridge, Samantha Johnson, Rhiannon Watt, Alison Drennan, Kate McCarthy, Jessica Sedunary, Isabella Shannon, Kate Shierlaw, Courteney Munn, Hannah Priest, Nat Exon, Poppy Kelly, Caitlin Greiser, Tilly Lucas-Rodd, Melissa Kuys, Kelly O'Neill, Georgia Patrikios, Tamara Luke, Olivia Vesely, Clara Fitzpatrick, Rosie Dillon, Selena Karlson, Nicola Xenos, Nadia von Bertouch, Tarni White, Catherine Phillips
Key player: Kate McCarthy. The speedster signed alongside Exon from the Brisbane Lions. Capable of playing both in the midfield and up forward, McCarthy is a dangerous player and the Saints will be boosted if she can recapture her 2017 All-Australian form.
Last season: NA
Prediction: Despite a diligent and organised effort, the Saints didn't have much luck from an expansion signing perspective, left frustrated by their inability to land a big fish. Still, they have plenty of AFLW experience on their list and a strong VFLW campaign last year should leave them more likely to gel than some other sides. Early draftee Georgia Patrikios looks like a star of the future, while young midfielder Olivia Vesely shone in the practice match win against the Suns, a result that should provide heart to St Kilda.
West Coast
Coach: Luke Dwyer
Captain: Emma Swanson
Squad: Mikayla Bowen, Kellie Gibson, Brianna Green, Courtney Guard, McKenzie Dowrick, Emily Bonser, Beatrice Devlyn, Maddy Collier, Ashlee Atkins, Melissa Caulfield, Danika Pisconeri, Niamh Kelly, Emma Swanson, Belinda Smith, Grace Kelly, Ashton Hill, Dana Hooker, Imahra Cameron, Kate Bartlett, Mhicca Carter, Tarnee Tester, Hayley Bullas, Parris Laurie, Talia Radan, Chantella Perera, Emily McGuire, Katherine Orme, Cassie Davidson, Sophie McDonald, Alicia Janz.
Key player: Dana Hooker. One of several Eagles signings poached from Fremantle, Hooker is an ultra-reliable midfielder who won Freo's inaugural women's best and fairest in 2017 before being named All-Australian in both 2018 and 2019. There will be a lot of responsibility on her shoulders to lead this inexperienced West Coast outfit.
Last season: NA
Prediction: There's an argument to say that the talent in WA was already stretched even before the Eagles came into the competition, which makes their task in season one unenviable. There are a handful of experienced AFLW players but for the most part this Eagles list is untested at the level. They will be up against it, although McGuire and Cameron both caught the eye, showing plenty in a practice match loss to the Tigers.
Western Bulldogs
Coach: Nathan Burke
Captain: Ellie Blackburn
Squad: Brooke Lochland, Ellie Blackburn, Isabella Grant, Isabel Huntington, Gabby Newton, Kirsten McLeod, Deanna Berry, Bonnie Toogood, Eleanor Brown, Nicole Callinan, Lauren Spark, Gemma Lagioia, Celine Moody, Ellyse Gamble, Aisling McCarthy, Naomi Ferres, Elisabeth Georgostathis, Britney Gutknecht, Ashleigh Guest, Hannah Munyard, Bailey Hunt, Hannah Scott, Aisling Utri, Kimberley Rennie, Nell Morris-Dalton, Danielle Marshall, Kirsty Lamb, Amelia Van Oosterwijck, Katy Herron, Angelica Gogos.
Key player: Brooke Lochland. It remains perhaps the best individual performance in an AFLW game to date: Lochland's seven-goal haul against Carlton in 2018. That showing led to Lochland winning the league's goalkicking crown that season, as well as an All-Australian gong. But a leg injury on the eve of last season ruled Lochland out until late in the campaign, and she was unable to find her touch from the previous season. The Dogs will be keen for the forward to strike gold again.
Last season: 2-5 (Last in Conference A).
The reigning premiers won their first two matches of the season but were thumped by North in round three and never recovered. The Dogs ended with five losses on the trot to finish two games clear at the bottom of their pool.
Prediction: The mid-year departure of premiership coach Groves led to the appointment of St Kilda great Burke despite denials for weeks that he was interested in the top job at Whitten Oval. Having already lost Emma Kearney and Jenna Bruton to North the previous year, the Dogs again took a hit, with co-captain Brennan and best and fairest Conti among those to depart last year. The silver lining was the acquisition of the No. 1 pick, used on the versatile Newton, who should be a gun. The list already looks vastly different to the one that won the 2018 flag, but there is still a healthy nucleus there. Two years on from her last knee reconstruction, eyes will be stationed on tall forward Huntington, who has also spent time behind the ball in the pre-season.
Ladder predictions:
Conference A
Conference B
By Daniel Cherny
February 2, 2020 — 12.36pm
Having put a tumultuous period of collective bargaining agreement negotiations behind them, AFLW players are back for the fourth season of the national women's competition.
Yet again the league has a different look, with four new clubs joining the party: Richmond, St Kilda, Gold Coast and West Coast. The controversial conference system is back too, with teams split into two conferences of seven sides. Season length has expanded, but only to eight home and away matches plus three weeks of finals, meaning teams play every other side in their conference twice as well as having two cross-conference opponents.
The finals will run for three weekends, with the top three sides from both conferences advancing. The top side from both conferences will head directly through to the preliminary final stage, with the second and third sides from the respective conferences needing to get through elimination finals first. Here's how the teams are looking ahead of round one, which begins on Friday night.
Conference A
Adelaide
Coach: Matthew Clarke
Co-captains: Erin Phillips and Chelsea Randall
Squad: Caitlin Gould, Eloise Jones, Angela Foley, Chloe Scheer, Courtney Gum, Hannah Button (nee Martin), Nikki Gore, Najwa Allen, Deni Varnhagen, Ebony Marinoff, Rhiannon Metcalfe, Chelsea Biddell, Maisie Nankivell, Erin Phillips, Stevie-Lee Thompson, Danielle Ponter, Ailish Considine, Madison Newman, Ruth Wallace, Sophie Li, Nicole Campbell, Montana McKinnon, Courtney Cramey, Justine Mules, Jessica Foley, Chelsea Randall, Renee Forth, Jaimi Tabb, Dayna Cox, Marijana Rajcic, Anne Hatchard, Sarah Allan.
Key player: Erin Phillips. Phillips has been the standout player of the competition's history to date, claiming two league best and fairest titles and looking a class above when fit due to her skill and outrageous athleticism. Dangerous both forward and in the midfield, she can turn a game in little time. But the veteran ruptured her ACL in last year's grand final and faces a delayed start to the season. The Crows' chances of going back-to-back may hinge on how much football they can get from their co-captain.
Last season: Premiers (8-1)
The Crows lost the opening game of their season by a point to the Western Bulldogs before wiping the floor with the rest of the competition, winning eight straight matches in what ultimately proved to be a premiership procession. No one got within five goals of them from round four onwards, with Adelaide's coronation coming as they crushed Carlton by 45 points in front of more than 53,000 fans at Adelaide Oval.
Prediction: Adelaide again loom as the team to beat, given their already strong core – the Crows had five All-Australians last year – and the fact they've been largely immune to the expansion raiders, an advantage of being in a one-team town. The biggest threat to Adelaide's campaign could be injuries. Phillips, Metcalfe and Scheer are all on the road back from ACL injuries, while midfielder Martin and brilliant co-captain Randall will both miss the season following knee reconstructions. Wing Varnhagen is also facing a delayed start to her campaign following a knee injury sustained in a practice match last weekend against Fremantle.
Brisbane Lions
Coach: Craig Starcevich
Captain: Emma Zielke
Squad: Emily Bates, Jordan Zanchetta, Breanna Koenen, Sharni Webb, Jade Ellenger, Lily Postlehwaite, Gabby Collingwood, Emma Zielke, Orla O'Dwyer, Natalie Grider, Rheanne Lugg, Sophie Conway, Kate Lutkins, Dakota Davidson, Greta Bodey, Lauren Arnell, Isabel Dawes, Ally Anderson, Selina Priest, Shannon Campbell, Arianna Clarke, Brianna McFarlane, Jess Wuetschner, Tahlia Hickie, Catherine Svarc, Lucy Bellinger, Jessy Keeffe, Maria Moloney, Hannah Hillman.
Key player: Jess Wuetschner. There have been few more consistent forwards in the competition across the first few seasons than the tenacious and crafty Wuetschner, who was an All-Australian in 2018 and has kicked 26 goals from 23 AFLW matches, second only to the incomparable Phillips. Pocket rocket Wuetschner survived a major scare on the eve of the season after she was struck by lightning while working on the docks in Brisbane, however the Tasmanian remains on track to play in round one.
How they went last year: Fourth in conference B (2-5)
Losing grand finalists in both of the first two AFLW seasons, the Lions were unable to replicate that form in 2019. Their best was still strong – beating reigning premiers the Western Bulldogs on the road in round four – but overall they were mediocre. A finals spot still beckoned heading into the last round of the season but Brisbane's loss to the previously winless Collingwood showed that the Lions ultimately weren't up to the mark.
Prediction: The Bulldogs have also been pillaged over the journey, but perhaps no club has been harder hit by expansion than the Lions, who head into 2020 looking worryingly inexperienced. Tayla Harris, Jamie Stanton and Kaitlyn Ashmore left across the first couple of years of the competition before Sabrina Frederick, Nat Exon, Kate McCarthy, captain Leah Kaslar, Sam Virgo and Jacqui Yorston departed at the end of last season, not to mention assistant coach David Lake who has taken the reins at Gold Coast. Having gone goalless in their practice match against Greater Western Sydney last weekend, a tough year looms for the Lions.
Geelong
Coach: Paul Hood
Captain: Melissa Hickey
Squad: Rene Caris, Danielle Higgins, Amy McDonald, Cassie Blakeway, Jordan Ivey, Julia Crockett-Grills, Madisen Maguire, Kate Darby, Nina Morrison, Georgie Rankin, Meg McDonald, Renee Garing, Aasta O'Connor, Gemma Wright, Olivia Purcell, Georgia Clarke, Melissa Hickey, Millie Brown, Mia Skinner, Becky Webster, Nicole Garner, Phoebe McWilliams, Maddy McMahon, Madeleine Boyd, Sophie Van De Heuvel, Denby Taylor, Richelle Cranston, Anna Teague, Bec Goring, Maddy Keryk.
Key player: Meg McDonald. Discarded by the Bulldogs after the first season of AFLW, McDonald made the Dogs regret that decision with a brilliant debut campaign for the Cats last season. Shifted into defence, McDonald was reliable in the air, and was one of the big reasons Geelong made it to the finals in their first season. She was rewarded with All-Australian selection and claimed the Cats' inaugural AFLW best and fairest gong even after playing the back end of the season with a stress fracture in her foot. But the Geelong vice-captain broke her finger at training on Thursday night and has been ruled out until at least the midway point of the season
Last season: Losing preliminary finalists (3-5).
It was a funny old first season for the Cats, who ended up making the finals despite having the worst percentage in the competition. Geelong benefitted from the fact they were placed in the ultimately much weaker Conference B, with narrow wins over Collingwood and Carlton proving telling. But Geelong had averaged just 22 points across the home and away season, and their lack of firepower was laid bare in a 66-point finals thrashing at the hands of the Crows.
Prediction: The Cats went with a young squad for their first season, hoping their group would grow together in the coming years. Last year's finals berth will be difficult to back up though given the way they made it, although the return of 2018's No.1 draft pick Nina Morrison – who tore her ACL at training days after the round one win over Collingwood last season – should be a big boost to the Cats' midfield. The loss of McDonald will hurt.
Gold Coast
Coach: David Lake
Co-captains: Leah Kaslar and Sam Virgo
Squad: Paige Parker, Lauren Bella, Tori Groves-Little, Jordann Hickey, Jacqui Yorston, Charlotte Hammans, Lauren Ahrens, Sally Riley, Emma Pittman, Maddy Roberts, Leah Kaslar, Molly Ritson, Taylor Smith, Serene Watson, Tayla Thorn, Brittany Perry, Jamie Stanton, Kitara Whap-Farrar, Tiarna Ernst, Jasmyn Hewett, Ellie Hampson, Sam Virgo, Kalinda Howarth, Hannah Dunn, Dee Heslop, Kate Surman, Cheyenne Hammond, Lexi Hamilton, Jade Pregelj, Georgia Breward.
Key player: Leah Kaslar. One of several players to have defected from the Lions, there was perhaps no bigger signing for the expansion club than the defender, who captained Brisbane last year. The dependable veteran plays tall at 171 centimetres and was a member of the All-Australian squad in 2017.
Last season: NA
Prediction: Gold Coast tried to pick the eyes out of what was an already depleted Lions squad, while they've also landed a handful of players from reigning premiers Adelaide. But the bulk of their list is made up of inexperienced Queenslanders. The junior girls' pathway in the Sunshine State has been a successful breeding ground, but depth will be tested. A practice match defeat to fellow expansion club St Kilda probably showed the Suns' level.
Greater Western Sydney
Coach: Alan McConnell
Captain: Alicia Eva
Squad: Emily Goodsir, Alicia Eva, Alyce Parker, Maggie Gorham, Jodie Hicks, Rebecca Beeson, Jess Dal Pos, Nicola Barr, Tanya Hetherington, Ellie Brush, Aimee Schmidt, Louise Stephenson, Cora Staunton, Annalyse Lister, Lisa Whiteley, Taylah Davies, Georgia Garnett, Rebecca Privitelli, Lisa Steane, Pepa Randall, Elle Bennetts, Erin McKinnon, Haneen Zrelka, Ingrid Nielsen, Yvonne Bonner, Sarah Halvorsen, Tait Mackrill, Jacinda Barclay, Britt Tully, Jess Allan.
Key player: Cora Staunton. A legend of Gaelic football in Ireland, Staunton turned her hand to the Australian game a couple of years ago and has become one of the Giants' best players, proving a handful up forward over the past couple of years. A broken leg suffered while playing in the AFL Sydney competition last May threatened to end her career, but at 38 she has inspirationally returned and has been elevated to the GWS leadership group.
Last season: Third in conference B (2-5).
Hopes for the Giants were high after a promising 2018 season in which they narrowly missed a grand final berth. But things just didn't click for GWS last year, with several important players unable to replicate their form from 12 months earlier. Three straight losses to start the season left them with an uphill battle, although a comfortable final-round win over the Cats was a reminder of the group's potential.
Prediction: Like the Crows, the Giants benefit from the fact they are in a one-team state. But they still lost crafty forward Christina Bernardi and midfielder Phoebe Monahan to Richmond, as well as experienced on-baller Emma Swanson to West Coast. Inaugural Giants captain Amanda Farrugia also announced her retirement last year, leaving GWS reasonably depleted. However there is still plenty of talent on this list, evidenced by the way they put the Lions to the sword last weekend.
North Melbourne
Coach: Scott Gowans
Captain: Emma Kearney
Squad: Sophie Abbatangelo, Daria Bannister, Taylor Mesiti, Elisha King, Kate Gillespie-Jones, Emma Humphries, Ashleigh Riddell, Aileen Gilroy, Emma Kearney, Kaitlyn Ashmore, Daisy Bateman, Nicole Bresnehan, Mairead Seoighe, Tahlia Randall, Sarah Wright, Brittany Gibson, Jasmine Grierson, Bethany Lynch, Jessica Trend, Ellie Gavalas, Mia King, Tahni Nestor, Jasmine Garner, Abbey Green, Jess Duffin, Libby Haines, Chloe Haines, Danielle Hardiman, Jenna Bruton, Vivien Saad, Emma King.
Key player: Jasmine Garner. The key forward will forever be etched in history having kicked the first goal in the history of AFLW when playing for Collingwood against Carlton in the opening round of 2017. She moved to Arden Street ahead of North's inaugural AFLW campaign and again impressed, making the All-Australian side and forming part of a prolific Kangaroos outfit.
Last season: Third in Conference A (5-2).
North had ruffled feathers with an audacious recruiting spree leading into their first AFLW season so unsurprisingly expectations were high heading into the 2019 campaign. The Roos started with four straight wins including a thumping victory over reigning premiers the Bulldogs, but were brought down to earth by Adelaide in round five. The Roos headed to Western Australia, needing to beat Fremantle to make the finals but were trumped by the Dockers. North could consider themselves stiff to have missed the finals given their record would have been enough to top the other conference.
Prediction: North again look like one of the teams to beat. They weren't that far off the mark last season and have looked to improve their forward pressure, resulting in the controversial decision to delist high-profile goalkicker Moana Hope after just one season at the club. The loss of All-Australian defender Jess Duffin – who will miss the season because of pregnancy – leaves a hole but this is a very talented group that should contend for a flag.
Richmond
Coach: Tom Hunter
Captain: Katie Brennan
Squad: Sophie Molan, Phoebe Monahan, Katie Brennan, Monique Conti, Madeline Brancatisano, Christina Bernardi, Lauren Tesoriero, Courtney Wakefield, Hannah Burchell, Kodi Jacques, Alice Edmonds, Laura Bailey, Alana Woodward, Sabrina Frederick, Rebecca Miller, Laura McClelland, Ella Wood, Sarah Sansonetti, Kate Dempsey, Holly Whitford, Iilish Ross, Nekaela Butler, Emma Horne, Tayla Stahl, Cleo Saxon-Jones, Ciara Fitzgerald, Emily Harley, Gabby Seymour, Akec Makur Chuot, Grace Campbell.
Key player: Monique Conti. Brennan might be the captain and a bigger name for now but Conti – who only turned 20 in December – could be the Tigers' best signing. Traded from the Western Bulldogs after a tense and acrimonious period in which the AFL ultimately handed Richmond pick one to trade for the midfielder, Conti has shown her quality already in two seasons since making her debut, named best afield in the Dogs' 2018 grand final before claiming the club's best and fairest and being named All-Australian last season. Conti has turned her back on the WNBL's Melbourne Boomers, with the cross-code star set to channel all her energies for now on helping the Tigers into the finals.
Last season: NA
Prediction: The Tigers were much more successful than fellow expansion side St Kilda in landing big-name recruits for their entry into the competition. Richmond's side looks pretty talented on paper, although like several sides their depth could be an issue. Keen to establish herself as one of the competition's leading midfielders, Brennan is only expected to pinch-hit as a forward, but as shown in the practice match against West Coast, the likes of Bernardi, Stahl and Wakefield can be a handful, not to mention the imposing figure of Frederick.
Conference B
Carlton
Coach: Daniel Harford
Co-captains: Katie Loynes and Kerryn Harrington
Squad: Grace Egan, Katie Loynes, Darcy Vescio, Madison Prespakis, Abbie McKay, Gabriella Pound, Tayla Harris, Vaomua Laloifi, Kerryn Harrington, Sarah Hosking, Jess Hosking, Lauren Brazzale, Lucy McEvoy, Brooke Walker, Chloe Dalton, Breann Moody, Katie Harrison, Georgia Gee, Charlotte Wilson, Nicola Stevens, Courtney Jones, Sharnie Whiting, Jess Edwards, Joanne Doonan, Emerson Woods, Alison Downie, Brooke Vernon, Natalie Plane, Serena Gibbs, Jayde Van Dyk.
Key player: Madison Prespakis. Taken as the No.3 draft pick in 2018, Prespakis burst onto the scene last year. The nuggety midfielder showed her class from early in the season and produced a debut campaign to savour. She was a lay down misere for the Rising Star award, and earned All-Australian selection as a teenager. Prespakis has plenty of upside too, and if she can improve her tank could soon be in discussions for the league's best player.
Last season: 5-4 (Runners-up)
From the ashes of a wooden-spoon finish the previous year, Harford turned things around at Ikon Park, with his vibrant and jovial personality translating into the way his side played the game. The Blues lost three of their first four but charged home and brushed Fremantle aside in the preliminary final although Carlton were ultimately no match for the mighty Crows on grand final day.
Prediction: The defection of captain Brianna Davey to arch rivals Collingwood pained the Blues but they look to have made the most of the loss, picking up young gun midfielder Lucy McEvoy with the No.2 pick they gained in the trade for Davey. There is an experienced core which has proven itself capable of making an impact, and with Prespakis and McEvoy on the rise the Blues should again be competitive. Harford has flagged a move forward for Stevens, who made a name for herself in defence.
Collingwood
Coach: Steve Symonds
Captain: Steph Chiocci
Squad: Sharni Layton, Chloe Molloy, Brianna Davey, Sarah D'Arcy, Emma Grant, Jordyn Allen, Sarah Rowe, Brittany Bonnici, Alana Porter, Ashleigh Brazill, Eliza Hynes, Stacey Livingstone, Jaimee Lambert, Aishling Sheridan, Erica Fowler, Katie Lynch, Stephanie Chiocci, Ruby Schleicher, Kaila Bentvelzen, Jordan Membrey, Sophie Casey, Lauren Butler, Sophie Alexander, Mikala Cann, Georgia Gourlay, Machaelia Roberts, Maddie Shevlin, Kristy Stratton, Sarah Dargan, Ebony O'Dea.
Key player: Chloe Molloy. The No.3 selection in the 2017 draft, Molloy quickly established herself as one of the league's best defenders, playing her architect role to a tee in 2018. She was named the league's Rising Star, finished second in the competition's best and fairest, and was an All-Australian. However a serious foot injury ruled her out of the 2018 season, badly hurting the Pies. But she is back, and if she can recapture her best will make a substantial difference.
Last season: 1-6 (Last in conference A)
Pillaged by rival clubs – in particular North Melbourne – the Pies were always going to be up against it last year, especially given Molloy's injury. Their young group was plucky but struggled to ice games, and only on the final day of the home and away season did Collingwood avoid becoming the first team to go through an AFLW season winless, beating the Lions at Victoria Park. Despite the gains made by some of their youth, coach Wayne Siekman was not retained after three barren seasons.
Prediction: The versatile Davey and classy Molloy should both provide a boost to the Pies, who are yet to make the AFLW finals. However South Australian Symonds still faces an uphill battle, particularly when it comes to finding regular avenues to goal.
Fremantle
Coach: Trent Cooper
Captain: Kara Antonio
Squad: Ashley Sharp, Kiara Bowers, Emma O'Driscoll, Mia-Rae Clifford, Tayla Bresland, Sabreena Duffy, Jasmin Stewart, Evie Gooch, Alex Williams, Aine Tighe, Lindal Rohde , Ebony Antonio, Katie-Jayne Grieve, Leah Mascall, Kara Antonio (nee Donnellan), Sarah Garstone, Roxanne Roux, Philipa Seth, Hayley Miller, Stephanie Cain, Mim Strom, Gabby O'Sullivan, Matilda Sergeant, Ange Stannett, Ann McMahon, Bianca Webb, Gemma Houghton, Janelle Cuthbertson ,Laura Pugh, Kate Flood.
Key player: Ebony Antonio: The versatile Antonio – who married teammate Kara Donnellan late last year – can play at either end of the ground. An All-Australian in 2018, she stands out as one of the Dockers' guns.
Last season: 6-2 (losing preliminary finalists)
New coach Cooper took the Dockers into uncharted waters last year. Boosted by the return of Bowers from injury, Fremantle surged through the home and away season in the tougher Conference A, losing only once in the minor rounds to finish second behind Adelaide. However the Dockers couldn't bring their best to Ikon Park when the stakes were high, sent packing by the Blues.
Prediction: While perhaps not hit quite as hard as the Lions, Fremantle were always going to look weaker on paper this year given the addition of West Coast, who sought to pick the eyes out of the top West Australian talent on Freo's list. Melissa Caulfield, Ashlee Atkins and in particular All-Australian Dana Hooker take some replacing. Still, the way the Dockers powered through 2019, it would be foolish to write them off. They also landed elite young WA talent Roxy Roux in last year's draft.
Melbourne
Coach: Mick Stinear
Captain: Daisy Pearce
Squad: Tegan Cunningham, Meg Downie, Maddison Gay, Karen Paxman, Elisa O'Dea, Daisy Pearce, Bianca Jakobsson, Sarah Lampard, Libby Birch, Kate Hore, Chantel Emonson, Shelley Scott, Katherine Smith, Lily Mithen, Lauren Pearce. Aliesha Newman, Niamh McEvoy, Casey Sherriff, Jacqueline Perry, Brenna Tarrant, Harriet Cordner, Maddy Guerin, Sinead Goldrick, Shae Sloane, Tyla Hanks, Eden Zanker, Shelley Heath, Krstel Petrevski, Gabrielle Colvin, Ainslie Kemp.
Key player: Daisy Pearce. It's hard to go past the iconic Pearce, who returns to the game after missing last season to give birth to twins. But the midfielder is back and looks in fine fettle, appearing a class above in last week's practice match against Collingwood. Set to turn 32 in May, Pearce might be approaching the twilight of her career but her skills and footy smarts leave her in good stead to keep thriving after All-Australian gongs in 2017 and 2018.
Last season: Fourth in Conference A (4-3).
It was a frustratingly familiar story for the Demons, who have been among the most consistent sides across the first three seasons of AFLW without making the finals. Having narrowly missed the decider in both 2017 and 2018, the Dees remained mathematically in the hunt heading into the final round of 2019 but were thumped by Adelaide to unceremoniously end Melbourne's season.
Prediction: Compared in particular to the Bulldogs, the Dees were relatively spared during the expansion signing period, with their highest-profile departure being that of Cat Phillips to St Kilda. And given that Pearce is effectively a recruit, the Dees could optimistically expect to be a better side this year. That is however before injuries are taken into account, and the Demons haven't fared well on that front. Defenders Shae Sloane and Katherine Smith have both undergone knee reconstructions while gun ruck Lauren Pearce will miss the start of the season following a knee injury of her own.
St Kilda
Coach: Peta Searle
Co-captains: Rhiannon Watt, Cat Phillips and Kate Shierlaw
Squad: Molly McDonald, Alison Brown, Emma Mackie, Claudia Whitfort, Darcy Guttridge, Samantha Johnson, Rhiannon Watt, Alison Drennan, Kate McCarthy, Jessica Sedunary, Isabella Shannon, Kate Shierlaw, Courteney Munn, Hannah Priest, Nat Exon, Poppy Kelly, Caitlin Greiser, Tilly Lucas-Rodd, Melissa Kuys, Kelly O'Neill, Georgia Patrikios, Tamara Luke, Olivia Vesely, Clara Fitzpatrick, Rosie Dillon, Selena Karlson, Nicola Xenos, Nadia von Bertouch, Tarni White, Catherine Phillips
Key player: Kate McCarthy. The speedster signed alongside Exon from the Brisbane Lions. Capable of playing both in the midfield and up forward, McCarthy is a dangerous player and the Saints will be boosted if she can recapture her 2017 All-Australian form.
Last season: NA
Prediction: Despite a diligent and organised effort, the Saints didn't have much luck from an expansion signing perspective, left frustrated by their inability to land a big fish. Still, they have plenty of AFLW experience on their list and a strong VFLW campaign last year should leave them more likely to gel than some other sides. Early draftee Georgia Patrikios looks like a star of the future, while young midfielder Olivia Vesely shone in the practice match win against the Suns, a result that should provide heart to St Kilda.
West Coast
Coach: Luke Dwyer
Captain: Emma Swanson
Squad: Mikayla Bowen, Kellie Gibson, Brianna Green, Courtney Guard, McKenzie Dowrick, Emily Bonser, Beatrice Devlyn, Maddy Collier, Ashlee Atkins, Melissa Caulfield, Danika Pisconeri, Niamh Kelly, Emma Swanson, Belinda Smith, Grace Kelly, Ashton Hill, Dana Hooker, Imahra Cameron, Kate Bartlett, Mhicca Carter, Tarnee Tester, Hayley Bullas, Parris Laurie, Talia Radan, Chantella Perera, Emily McGuire, Katherine Orme, Cassie Davidson, Sophie McDonald, Alicia Janz.
Key player: Dana Hooker. One of several Eagles signings poached from Fremantle, Hooker is an ultra-reliable midfielder who won Freo's inaugural women's best and fairest in 2017 before being named All-Australian in both 2018 and 2019. There will be a lot of responsibility on her shoulders to lead this inexperienced West Coast outfit.
Last season: NA
Prediction: There's an argument to say that the talent in WA was already stretched even before the Eagles came into the competition, which makes their task in season one unenviable. There are a handful of experienced AFLW players but for the most part this Eagles list is untested at the level. They will be up against it, although McGuire and Cameron both caught the eye, showing plenty in a practice match loss to the Tigers.
Western Bulldogs
Coach: Nathan Burke
Captain: Ellie Blackburn
Squad: Brooke Lochland, Ellie Blackburn, Isabella Grant, Isabel Huntington, Gabby Newton, Kirsten McLeod, Deanna Berry, Bonnie Toogood, Eleanor Brown, Nicole Callinan, Lauren Spark, Gemma Lagioia, Celine Moody, Ellyse Gamble, Aisling McCarthy, Naomi Ferres, Elisabeth Georgostathis, Britney Gutknecht, Ashleigh Guest, Hannah Munyard, Bailey Hunt, Hannah Scott, Aisling Utri, Kimberley Rennie, Nell Morris-Dalton, Danielle Marshall, Kirsty Lamb, Amelia Van Oosterwijck, Katy Herron, Angelica Gogos.
Key player: Brooke Lochland. It remains perhaps the best individual performance in an AFLW game to date: Lochland's seven-goal haul against Carlton in 2018. That showing led to Lochland winning the league's goalkicking crown that season, as well as an All-Australian gong. But a leg injury on the eve of last season ruled Lochland out until late in the campaign, and she was unable to find her touch from the previous season. The Dogs will be keen for the forward to strike gold again.
Last season: 2-5 (Last in Conference A).
The reigning premiers won their first two matches of the season but were thumped by North in round three and never recovered. The Dogs ended with five losses on the trot to finish two games clear at the bottom of their pool.
Prediction: The mid-year departure of premiership coach Groves led to the appointment of St Kilda great Burke despite denials for weeks that he was interested in the top job at Whitten Oval. Having already lost Emma Kearney and Jenna Bruton to North the previous year, the Dogs again took a hit, with co-captain Brennan and best and fairest Conti among those to depart last year. The silver lining was the acquisition of the No. 1 pick, used on the versatile Newton, who should be a gun. The list already looks vastly different to the one that won the 2018 flag, but there is still a healthy nucleus there. Two years on from her last knee reconstruction, eyes will be stationed on tall forward Huntington, who has also spent time behind the ball in the pre-season.
Ladder predictions:
Conference A
- North Melbourne
- Adelaide
- Richmond
- GWS
- Geelong
- Brisbane
- Gold Coast
Conference B
- Carlton
- Melbourne
- Fremantle
- Western Bulldogs
- Collingwood
- St Kilda
- West Coast
How do we rate the blues , harford seemed to lift them last year after a listless first 2yin the comp , top end talent seems to be reasonably matched with vesco , Harris , Maddy all dangerous . Im Sure our best will worry them , reckon our forward line will be too much for them , Sabrina stahl Courtney Bernadi with kb alternating mid and forward , conti will give us plenty of ball i50 .the tigers for me ,,,naturally
TigermanM2
Norm Smith Medallist
- Mar 7, 2013
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Harford has been great for them. It’s like your favourite goofy uncle coaching you and they’d be loving it.
They lost their best player Davey to the Pies but they still pose a big obstacle this Friday night.
If our mids can give enough supply our forward line should be strong enough to kick a winning score. Conti being available has tipped the game our way in my opinion. Our defence is a bit suspect and a lot will rely on Monahan who has been like a rock for us.
I’m cautiously confident.
Was thinking if Harris poses a real danger but I don’t reckon key forwards have a huge impact in AFLW , prob the qty of ball incoming is a factor
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TigermanM2
Norm Smith Medallist
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Complete AFLW 2020 season preview
Dem Panopoulos
Roar Guru
The AFLW season is mere days away and the excitement heading into another footy season is infectious.
With four new teams entering the competition this season, taking the total number to 14, the talent pool has been stretched even further, which could create a large gap between the best teams in the competition and the worst.
Conference A is expected to feature a couple of the top teams in the league this year, while Conference B is far too tight to definitively call, with a number of good teams sure to miss out on finals.
Overall, the 2020 season is sure to be fascinating, with clubs fighting against small lists sizes, injuries and conditions that will create some of the best footy in AFLW history, and some of the worst.
Below is a club-by-club preview and conference predictions for the 2020 AFLW season.
Conference A
1. North Melbourne
Despite the loss of Jess Duffin for the season, North Melbourne look well placed to set themselves for a premiership tilt in their second season. Tactically built on clean kicking and strong transitional play from defence to attack, North Melbourne were statistically dominant when controlling the game and unparalleled in terms of overall efficiency inside 50.
Emma Kearney and Jemma Bruton are the stars through the midfield, and we can expect to see Emma King spend a lot more time up forward as the main tall while surrounded by the dangerous likes of Sophie Abbatangelo, Jasmine Garner and Kaitlyn Ashmore to name a few. Expect Ash Riddell to emerge as a star of the competition through the midfield after playing just two games in her debut season, while the importance of clean use off half-back could see a breakout season for Nicole Bresnehan.
2. GWS Giants
Once again, the Giants look really good on paper but after their disappointing output in 2019, question marks will be present once again over the validity of such a high-finishing prediction. Alyce Parker will finish as a top-ten midfielder this season and should challenge for MVP honours, while I don’t expect another down season from important players Jacinda Barclay and Jessica Dal Pos.
Expect the Giants to use a tighter defensive structure that is more focused on guarding areas rather than players, given the one-on-one struggles Pepa Randall, Louise Stephenson and Tanya Hetherington experienced. In defending space, it should allow for more of the Giants to put more numbers into the contest and nullify the influence of key forwards. GWS have the midfield depth and an improved presence in the forward line to really put together strong performances all over the ground in 2020, and with a relatively nice fixture to start, the Giants should begin 3-1 and move on with great confidence
3. Adelaide Crows
The dominant team of 2019, the Crows enter 2020 on the back burner, with six injuries having the playing list down to just 24 ahead of the start of the season. With the best player in the AFLW a part of the question marks ahead of the year, it adds another level of uncertainty for Adelaide, who have a few tricky games in the opening month of the season against St Kilda, Geelong and Carlton.
Last year’s success was built on an attacking mindset and a high number of players experiencing breakout years. Anne Hatchard was perhaps the most surprising and influential, becoming an inside beast for the Crows, averaging 19 disposals, 12 contested possessions and five clearances a game. With a whole host of dangerous mid-sized forwards, led by last year’s leading goal-kicker Stevie-Lee Thompson, the Crows haven’t lost any of their attacking flair or pace through the midfield. How the club navigates the murky waters to start the season with a number of injuries will define how successful 2020 will be. Chelsea Randall will be an enormous loss.
4. Richmond Tigers
Having recruited three huge AFLW names upon the announcement of the team’s inclusion in the competition in 2020, the Tigers made it clear that they would be looking to challenge for a flag immediately. Monique Conti is one of the best midfielders in the competition, Katie Brennan is supremely talented and will play in the centre, while Sabrina Frederick will dominate aerially in attack. The Tigers also secured plenty of high-end talent from their VFLW team, with young ruck Alice Edmonds, midfielder Grace Campbell and crafty forward Tayla Stahl-Smith standouts from the team. Kate Dempsey is definitely a player to watch in 2020 as a potential All Australian candidate.
Richmond became an efficient, attacking juggernaut in the VFLW last season, ranking in the top two for key measures such as points, scores from turnovers and scores per inside 50. The defence needs the most attention, with a lack of top-level experience standing out the most when looking through the squad. Expect plenty of high-scoring games when the Tigers play.
5. Geelong Cats
Geelong happened to sneak into the finals in the club’s first season in AFLW despite winning just three games due to the way the conferences were set up in 2019. Lacking any real attacking threat, the Cats were exposed when they played the powerhouse of the competition in the finals, losing by an embarrassing 11 goals and needing to reassess their overall performance. Losing star draftee Nina Morrison never helped.
Season 2020 is already off to a rocky start with the club’s best player Meg McDonald out for a month due to a hand injury. The All Australian played the back end of 2019 with a fracture in her foot and will be sorely missed to start this season.
With a reasonable midfield group, sure to be assisted by Morrison and a fully fit Renee Garing, Geelong should remain competitive in the centre line. However, McDonald’s absence in defence along with a couple of really hard games in the opening month of the season will likely put the Cats on the back foot, and it’s unknown whether they can be competitive enough in attack to stay relevant.
6. Gold Coast Suns
Another one of the new expansion clubs to join the competition, the Suns will be hoping to have a more successful entry into AFLW than their men’s team did in the AFL. Recruiting heavily from the Lions and locally, Gold Coast have set themselves up as one of the league’s younger teams, with the experience coming from coach David Lake (former Lions assistant) and the likes of Leah Kaslar (Lions), Sam Virgo (Lions) and Tiarna Ernst (Bulldogs).
The Suns’ young talent is full of potential and unlike what we have seen from previous Gold Coast teams, the ground work has been put in for each player to blossom fully in quick time. Ellie Hampson enters the league as a junior intercepting star, Serene Watson will be a well-rounded defender and Jacqui Yorston made a huge impact in her debut season at AFLW level with the Lions. The veteran experience will help fast-track the development of the youth, but the Suns shouldn’t be expected to be a threat in their first season.
7. Brisbane Lions
Hindsight is a brilliant thing, and if the Lions had won one of the two grand finals they narrowly lost, perhaps they wouldn’t be rated as the team most likely to struggle in 2020. Reality has set in though, and Brisbane will be lucky to notch up multiple victories this season. Having lost 155 games of experience according to Champion Data, the Lions are a shell of their former selves and will need to consider entering a full rebuild in order to make the most of the current situation.
The off-season struggles meant Brisbane was able to draft Lily Postlethwaite and Isabel Dawes inside the draft’s top 15, both of whom are elite prospects that should play straight away alongside the impressive Alexandra Anderson and Emily Bates. Kate Lutkins is the defensive pillar that Brisbane need, while the most dangerous forward Jess Wuetschner is still recovering after being struck by lightning. There are many holes in this Brisbane team and Queensland footy will struggle as a result.
Conference B
1. Carlton
Runners-up in 2019 after a wooden spoon in 2018, coach Daniel Harford turned the Blues’ fortunes around with a positive mentality and maximising the skills of each player. Having started off the season with a couple of heavy losses, Carlton looked a completely different outfit following Round 3’s 29-point win over GWS and never looked back, largely thanks to improvement from the likes of Alison Downie, Kerryn Harrington and Gabby Pound.
While Bri Davey has moved to the arch rivals, the Blues were able to draft Lucy McEvoy to create the highest-potential duo in the competition alongside Madison Prespakis, and this alone will give fans plenty of excitement going forward. Perhaps the one area that seemed to be lacking in 2019 was reliability in attack and by earmarking Nicola Stevens as the player to make the move into the forward line in 2020, Harford has created a team that has no glaring weakness and should be adaptable to any conditions, and any opposition. The Blues are in the tighter conference, but this is a club that can definitely challenge for the flag in 2020.
2. Fremantle
With four of their first five games in Perth, Fremantle are poised to get off to a flyer in 2020, which will make all the difference in a difficult conference. Home-ground advantage has proven to be important in AFLW in the competition’s infancy, and the Dockers should be making the most of it, getting off to a 4-1 start if things go well. Despite losing nine players to the Eagles, Fremantle still have their quality core that was incredibly disappointing in the loss to Carlton in the 2019 finals series.
In what will be her second season, Kiara Bowers is the inspirational midfield leader that will help the likes of Stephanie Cain, Hayley Miller and a debuting Jasmin Stewart become an impressive and versatile midfield core in 2020, which should help Kara Antonio recapture her best form. Gemma Houghton might be the most underrated key forward in the competition while Ebony Antonio could move back into defence and help Tayla Bresland, paving the way for Roxanne Roux to slot straight into the forward line. The obvious issue with the Dockers is the fact Irish recruit Aine Tighe injured her knee, leaving 18-year-old Mim Strom as the only ruck on the list.
3. Collingwood
With all the focus on there now being 14 teams and less pressure on those who failed previously, we can expect Collingwood to push for the finals in 2020. Chloe Molloy’s return cannot be understated, as she can easily be the competition’s best player with a full season and full fitness. Molloy is expected to play through the middle and in attack this season, which will make the Magpies extremely watchable. Sharni Layton should take on a greater role in the ruck this season, with her raw athleticism sure to catch the eye, while the recruitment of former Carlton skipper Bri Davey is sure to make her one of the most watched players in the competition.
Collingwood clearly identified early last season that with the lack of personnel, building from the back was the way forward. With a strong, tight defence in place, the Magpies have focused on improving the midfield and forward line for 2020, given the statistical nightmares that presented themselves last season. According to Champion Data, Collingwood were ranked last in disposal differential and time in possession, which is why the focus on defence was so critical. A new season has presented itself and with new focus, expect the Magpies to become a much-improved team, with Sarah D’Arcy finally becoming a star forward.
4. Melbourne
Much like the Crows, Melbourne are another highly rated team that enter this season with a lot of unknown thanks to unfortunately timed injuries. Lauren Pearce is perhaps the team’s most important player as the recognised ruck, and she isn’t expected to be available until mid-competition, while Lily Mithen and Tegan Cunningham are also missing the early parts of the season through injury.
The Demons struggled with a leaky defence and at stoppage situations. Signing defender Libby Birch from the Bulldogs is a clear indicator that Melbourne are looking to tighten their back line, while the return of inspirational leader Daisy Pearce may give the entire midfield group the kick it needs to win the hard ball again. With key absences in the middle and attack, however, this Demons team may fail to meet expectation. Commencing the season with games against North Melbourne, Western Bulldogs, St Kilda and Collingwood, Melbourne could be ruled out of finals contention early.
5. St Kilda
Unlike the bottom half of Conference A, finishing fifth could be a matter of being a small percentage point outside finals for the Saints, who could be the best of the expansion clubs. Under inspirational coach Peta Searle, this is a team built off the back of a strong VFLW team and signing plenty of AFLW experience, rather than big-name recruits like Richmond. Nat Exon, Kate McCarthy, Cat Phillips and Jess Sedunary bring quality AFLW experience with differing levels of success, while young guns Georgia Patrikios and Olivia Vesely will post big midfield minutes and forge their own paths to stardom sooner rather than later.
The significance of having Peta Searle as coach cannot be understated. One of the most decorated coaches in VFLW history and with plenty of other experience in the AFL and VFL, Searle will get this group playing as a cohesive unit almost immediately, and there will be plenty of buy-in from the players. It’s an intangible factor that could go a long way in causing a few upsets for the Saints, who will likely push for finals.
6. Western Bulldogs
It all went wrong for the 2018 premiers, who lost their last five games of 2019 and ended up a shambles heading into the off-season. Things were made worse when Katie Brennan and Monique Conti joined Richmond, while Libby Birch and Tiarna Ernst found their way out the door despite being regulars. All these departures saw the Bulldogs pick up a few high-end draft picks, selecting gun midfielder Gabby Newton (pick one), influential forward Nell Morris-Dalton (pick six), outside midfielder Gemma Lagioia (pick eight) and flanker Elisabeth Georgostathis (pick nine).
With former number one pick Isabel Huntington sliding in like a recruit playing behind the ball, and midfield star Ellie Blackburn sticking around, the Bulldogs have a young core that should excite fans of the club and the competition alike. Defensive issues are likely to be prevalent for the Bulldogs in 2020, with the loss of Birch not covered, which places more defensive responsibility on Hannah Scott. This is likely to create a disjointed connection between the different sections of the field and new coach Nathan Burke will have a lot of work to do to fix this in just one season.
7. West Coast Eagles
The fourth expansion club joining the competition in 2020, the Eagles went and raided the Dockers for nearly a third of the club’s playing list as expected, but only walked away with one quality player (Dana Hooker) and one decent role player in the Tom T Lynch mould (Ashlee Atkins). The rest of the recruitment was puzzling for a team that wants to be competitive immediately, with very little key position experience at either end, instead relying on midfielders and smaller forwards to do the job.
Understandably, there is a lot of excitement surrounding the signing of McKenzie Dowrick, who may well turn into one of the best rebounding defenders in the competition, while Imahra Cameron is the most exciting player drafted last season. These are the standouts from what is otherwise a relatively uninspiring group at either end of the field, and skipper Emma Swanson, alongside Hooker, will need to do a lot of work around the ground in order to make the Eagles competitive.
Dem Panopoulos
Roar Guru
The AFLW season is mere days away and the excitement heading into another footy season is infectious.
With four new teams entering the competition this season, taking the total number to 14, the talent pool has been stretched even further, which could create a large gap between the best teams in the competition and the worst.
Conference A is expected to feature a couple of the top teams in the league this year, while Conference B is far too tight to definitively call, with a number of good teams sure to miss out on finals.
Overall, the 2020 season is sure to be fascinating, with clubs fighting against small lists sizes, injuries and conditions that will create some of the best footy in AFLW history, and some of the worst.
Below is a club-by-club preview and conference predictions for the 2020 AFLW season.
Conference A
1. North Melbourne
Despite the loss of Jess Duffin for the season, North Melbourne look well placed to set themselves for a premiership tilt in their second season. Tactically built on clean kicking and strong transitional play from defence to attack, North Melbourne were statistically dominant when controlling the game and unparalleled in terms of overall efficiency inside 50.
Emma Kearney and Jemma Bruton are the stars through the midfield, and we can expect to see Emma King spend a lot more time up forward as the main tall while surrounded by the dangerous likes of Sophie Abbatangelo, Jasmine Garner and Kaitlyn Ashmore to name a few. Expect Ash Riddell to emerge as a star of the competition through the midfield after playing just two games in her debut season, while the importance of clean use off half-back could see a breakout season for Nicole Bresnehan.
2. GWS Giants
Once again, the Giants look really good on paper but after their disappointing output in 2019, question marks will be present once again over the validity of such a high-finishing prediction. Alyce Parker will finish as a top-ten midfielder this season and should challenge for MVP honours, while I don’t expect another down season from important players Jacinda Barclay and Jessica Dal Pos.
Expect the Giants to use a tighter defensive structure that is more focused on guarding areas rather than players, given the one-on-one struggles Pepa Randall, Louise Stephenson and Tanya Hetherington experienced. In defending space, it should allow for more of the Giants to put more numbers into the contest and nullify the influence of key forwards. GWS have the midfield depth and an improved presence in the forward line to really put together strong performances all over the ground in 2020, and with a relatively nice fixture to start, the Giants should begin 3-1 and move on with great confidence
3. Adelaide Crows
The dominant team of 2019, the Crows enter 2020 on the back burner, with six injuries having the playing list down to just 24 ahead of the start of the season. With the best player in the AFLW a part of the question marks ahead of the year, it adds another level of uncertainty for Adelaide, who have a few tricky games in the opening month of the season against St Kilda, Geelong and Carlton.
Last year’s success was built on an attacking mindset and a high number of players experiencing breakout years. Anne Hatchard was perhaps the most surprising and influential, becoming an inside beast for the Crows, averaging 19 disposals, 12 contested possessions and five clearances a game. With a whole host of dangerous mid-sized forwards, led by last year’s leading goal-kicker Stevie-Lee Thompson, the Crows haven’t lost any of their attacking flair or pace through the midfield. How the club navigates the murky waters to start the season with a number of injuries will define how successful 2020 will be. Chelsea Randall will be an enormous loss.
4. Richmond Tigers
Having recruited three huge AFLW names upon the announcement of the team’s inclusion in the competition in 2020, the Tigers made it clear that they would be looking to challenge for a flag immediately. Monique Conti is one of the best midfielders in the competition, Katie Brennan is supremely talented and will play in the centre, while Sabrina Frederick will dominate aerially in attack. The Tigers also secured plenty of high-end talent from their VFLW team, with young ruck Alice Edmonds, midfielder Grace Campbell and crafty forward Tayla Stahl-Smith standouts from the team. Kate Dempsey is definitely a player to watch in 2020 as a potential All Australian candidate.
Richmond became an efficient, attacking juggernaut in the VFLW last season, ranking in the top two for key measures such as points, scores from turnovers and scores per inside 50. The defence needs the most attention, with a lack of top-level experience standing out the most when looking through the squad. Expect plenty of high-scoring games when the Tigers play.
5. Geelong Cats
Geelong happened to sneak into the finals in the club’s first season in AFLW despite winning just three games due to the way the conferences were set up in 2019. Lacking any real attacking threat, the Cats were exposed when they played the powerhouse of the competition in the finals, losing by an embarrassing 11 goals and needing to reassess their overall performance. Losing star draftee Nina Morrison never helped.
Season 2020 is already off to a rocky start with the club’s best player Meg McDonald out for a month due to a hand injury. The All Australian played the back end of 2019 with a fracture in her foot and will be sorely missed to start this season.
With a reasonable midfield group, sure to be assisted by Morrison and a fully fit Renee Garing, Geelong should remain competitive in the centre line. However, McDonald’s absence in defence along with a couple of really hard games in the opening month of the season will likely put the Cats on the back foot, and it’s unknown whether they can be competitive enough in attack to stay relevant.
6. Gold Coast Suns
Another one of the new expansion clubs to join the competition, the Suns will be hoping to have a more successful entry into AFLW than their men’s team did in the AFL. Recruiting heavily from the Lions and locally, Gold Coast have set themselves up as one of the league’s younger teams, with the experience coming from coach David Lake (former Lions assistant) and the likes of Leah Kaslar (Lions), Sam Virgo (Lions) and Tiarna Ernst (Bulldogs).
The Suns’ young talent is full of potential and unlike what we have seen from previous Gold Coast teams, the ground work has been put in for each player to blossom fully in quick time. Ellie Hampson enters the league as a junior intercepting star, Serene Watson will be a well-rounded defender and Jacqui Yorston made a huge impact in her debut season at AFLW level with the Lions. The veteran experience will help fast-track the development of the youth, but the Suns shouldn’t be expected to be a threat in their first season.
7. Brisbane Lions
Hindsight is a brilliant thing, and if the Lions had won one of the two grand finals they narrowly lost, perhaps they wouldn’t be rated as the team most likely to struggle in 2020. Reality has set in though, and Brisbane will be lucky to notch up multiple victories this season. Having lost 155 games of experience according to Champion Data, the Lions are a shell of their former selves and will need to consider entering a full rebuild in order to make the most of the current situation.
The off-season struggles meant Brisbane was able to draft Lily Postlethwaite and Isabel Dawes inside the draft’s top 15, both of whom are elite prospects that should play straight away alongside the impressive Alexandra Anderson and Emily Bates. Kate Lutkins is the defensive pillar that Brisbane need, while the most dangerous forward Jess Wuetschner is still recovering after being struck by lightning. There are many holes in this Brisbane team and Queensland footy will struggle as a result.
Conference B
1. Carlton
Runners-up in 2019 after a wooden spoon in 2018, coach Daniel Harford turned the Blues’ fortunes around with a positive mentality and maximising the skills of each player. Having started off the season with a couple of heavy losses, Carlton looked a completely different outfit following Round 3’s 29-point win over GWS and never looked back, largely thanks to improvement from the likes of Alison Downie, Kerryn Harrington and Gabby Pound.
While Bri Davey has moved to the arch rivals, the Blues were able to draft Lucy McEvoy to create the highest-potential duo in the competition alongside Madison Prespakis, and this alone will give fans plenty of excitement going forward. Perhaps the one area that seemed to be lacking in 2019 was reliability in attack and by earmarking Nicola Stevens as the player to make the move into the forward line in 2020, Harford has created a team that has no glaring weakness and should be adaptable to any conditions, and any opposition. The Blues are in the tighter conference, but this is a club that can definitely challenge for the flag in 2020.
2. Fremantle
With four of their first five games in Perth, Fremantle are poised to get off to a flyer in 2020, which will make all the difference in a difficult conference. Home-ground advantage has proven to be important in AFLW in the competition’s infancy, and the Dockers should be making the most of it, getting off to a 4-1 start if things go well. Despite losing nine players to the Eagles, Fremantle still have their quality core that was incredibly disappointing in the loss to Carlton in the 2019 finals series.
In what will be her second season, Kiara Bowers is the inspirational midfield leader that will help the likes of Stephanie Cain, Hayley Miller and a debuting Jasmin Stewart become an impressive and versatile midfield core in 2020, which should help Kara Antonio recapture her best form. Gemma Houghton might be the most underrated key forward in the competition while Ebony Antonio could move back into defence and help Tayla Bresland, paving the way for Roxanne Roux to slot straight into the forward line. The obvious issue with the Dockers is the fact Irish recruit Aine Tighe injured her knee, leaving 18-year-old Mim Strom as the only ruck on the list.
3. Collingwood
With all the focus on there now being 14 teams and less pressure on those who failed previously, we can expect Collingwood to push for the finals in 2020. Chloe Molloy’s return cannot be understated, as she can easily be the competition’s best player with a full season and full fitness. Molloy is expected to play through the middle and in attack this season, which will make the Magpies extremely watchable. Sharni Layton should take on a greater role in the ruck this season, with her raw athleticism sure to catch the eye, while the recruitment of former Carlton skipper Bri Davey is sure to make her one of the most watched players in the competition.
Collingwood clearly identified early last season that with the lack of personnel, building from the back was the way forward. With a strong, tight defence in place, the Magpies have focused on improving the midfield and forward line for 2020, given the statistical nightmares that presented themselves last season. According to Champion Data, Collingwood were ranked last in disposal differential and time in possession, which is why the focus on defence was so critical. A new season has presented itself and with new focus, expect the Magpies to become a much-improved team, with Sarah D’Arcy finally becoming a star forward.
4. Melbourne
Much like the Crows, Melbourne are another highly rated team that enter this season with a lot of unknown thanks to unfortunately timed injuries. Lauren Pearce is perhaps the team’s most important player as the recognised ruck, and she isn’t expected to be available until mid-competition, while Lily Mithen and Tegan Cunningham are also missing the early parts of the season through injury.
The Demons struggled with a leaky defence and at stoppage situations. Signing defender Libby Birch from the Bulldogs is a clear indicator that Melbourne are looking to tighten their back line, while the return of inspirational leader Daisy Pearce may give the entire midfield group the kick it needs to win the hard ball again. With key absences in the middle and attack, however, this Demons team may fail to meet expectation. Commencing the season with games against North Melbourne, Western Bulldogs, St Kilda and Collingwood, Melbourne could be ruled out of finals contention early.
5. St Kilda
Unlike the bottom half of Conference A, finishing fifth could be a matter of being a small percentage point outside finals for the Saints, who could be the best of the expansion clubs. Under inspirational coach Peta Searle, this is a team built off the back of a strong VFLW team and signing plenty of AFLW experience, rather than big-name recruits like Richmond. Nat Exon, Kate McCarthy, Cat Phillips and Jess Sedunary bring quality AFLW experience with differing levels of success, while young guns Georgia Patrikios and Olivia Vesely will post big midfield minutes and forge their own paths to stardom sooner rather than later.
The significance of having Peta Searle as coach cannot be understated. One of the most decorated coaches in VFLW history and with plenty of other experience in the AFL and VFL, Searle will get this group playing as a cohesive unit almost immediately, and there will be plenty of buy-in from the players. It’s an intangible factor that could go a long way in causing a few upsets for the Saints, who will likely push for finals.
6. Western Bulldogs
It all went wrong for the 2018 premiers, who lost their last five games of 2019 and ended up a shambles heading into the off-season. Things were made worse when Katie Brennan and Monique Conti joined Richmond, while Libby Birch and Tiarna Ernst found their way out the door despite being regulars. All these departures saw the Bulldogs pick up a few high-end draft picks, selecting gun midfielder Gabby Newton (pick one), influential forward Nell Morris-Dalton (pick six), outside midfielder Gemma Lagioia (pick eight) and flanker Elisabeth Georgostathis (pick nine).
With former number one pick Isabel Huntington sliding in like a recruit playing behind the ball, and midfield star Ellie Blackburn sticking around, the Bulldogs have a young core that should excite fans of the club and the competition alike. Defensive issues are likely to be prevalent for the Bulldogs in 2020, with the loss of Birch not covered, which places more defensive responsibility on Hannah Scott. This is likely to create a disjointed connection between the different sections of the field and new coach Nathan Burke will have a lot of work to do to fix this in just one season.
7. West Coast Eagles
The fourth expansion club joining the competition in 2020, the Eagles went and raided the Dockers for nearly a third of the club’s playing list as expected, but only walked away with one quality player (Dana Hooker) and one decent role player in the Tom T Lynch mould (Ashlee Atkins). The rest of the recruitment was puzzling for a team that wants to be competitive immediately, with very little key position experience at either end, instead relying on midfielders and smaller forwards to do the job.
Understandably, there is a lot of excitement surrounding the signing of McKenzie Dowrick, who may well turn into one of the best rebounding defenders in the competition, while Imahra Cameron is the most exciting player drafted last season. These are the standouts from what is otherwise a relatively uninspiring group at either end of the field, and skipper Emma Swanson, alongside Hooker, will need to do a lot of work around the ground in order to make the Eagles competitive.
TigermanM2
Norm Smith Medallist
- Mar 7, 2013
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- 26,240
- AFL Club
- Richmond
- Thread starter
- #174
NimFromSudan
Club Legend
Confirmation today that Ross (foot), Saxon-Jones (foot) and Dempsey (back) have medium term injuries and that Campbell has a shorter term hip injury and all will miss round 1.
Harley also has a season-ending shoulder injury and has already been replaced by Hannah McLaren.
womens.afl
Harley also has a season-ending shoulder injury and has already been replaced by Hannah McLaren.
AFLW Latest News - AFL.com.au/aflw
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