Game Day 2025 Trade and Draft

[LukeParkerno1]

Lol - Zippy having the time of her life there by the looks of it, congrats with Evie the Cats selection, clearly they know each other.

She’s hilarious on her socials

 

[Callipygian]

There should be some good players still on the board at our next pick. Looking forward to seeing who we pick up.

 

[robbieando]

Third pick was Molly Thomas from our academy. Passed on our last pick.

 

[Callipygian]

Well a bunch of players I was interested in were still on the board, but instead we took an Academy player we've clearly kept squirrelled away and who I haven't heard of. Welcome Molly Thomas!! The Amelia Martin of 2025.

Molly Thomas Draft Profile

Molly Thomas is a smart left-footer with great decision making capabilities and clean under pressure by hand.

central.rookieme.com

 

[Callipygian]

I think we've saved up a train on spot and so hopefully can audition a number of promising prospects for that place (if they're willing to come to Sydney on the off-chance and other, more conveniently located, clubs don't give them the same opportunity.

 

[liz]

Did anyone else watch the Fox coverage? It surprises me they couldn’t find anyone better than Sarah Burt (?; Bert?; Burk?) to interview the draftees. It’s a painful aspect of the coverage but could be less painful with a half-decent interviewer with a better repertoire of questions, more poise and less gush.

 

[Wheresbuddy]

Gotta say it's sad to miss Kiera - she looks an absolute gun. When I saw her highlights, especially her dual footedness, just a week or two ago, I started getting excited. But I think getting a tall was the right priority even though I do think we need more quality mids too.

She's not worth number 3 though. GWS are just being spiteful. Absolute c u next Tuesdays. Just like the kyle pick.

 

[joeykanga]

Did anyone else watch the Fox coverage? It surprises me they couldn’t find anyone better than Sarah Burt (?; Bert?; Burk?) to interview the draftees. It’s a painful aspect of the coverage but could be less painful with a half-decent interviewer with a better repertoire of questions, more poise and less gush.

Interesting how we can all have diferent takes. I liked her. She was intuitive and brought out the interviewee's personalities and there was a broad range of those

 

[Ticky009]

She's not worth number 3 though. GWS are just being spiteful. Absolute c u next Tuesdays. Just like the kyle pick.

Isnt she? There is zero chance of the Go Home factor - and her stats once she came back from injury were through the roof. And she feels a need.

By all those factors she's a #3 in their books. And that's all that matters when it comes down to seleciton.

 

[Johnboi]

Interesting how we can all have diferent takes. I liked her. She was intuitive and brought out the interviewee's personalities and there was a broad range of those

I agree...the other one who would have probably done it was Swannies fan Sarah Olle, but she gave birth on Sunday

 

[Callipygian]

I think we've saved up a train on spot and so hopefully can audition a number of promising prospects for that place (if they're willing to come to Sydney on the off-chance and other, more conveniently located, clubs don't give them the same opportunity.

Gemma Bastiani confirmed we have saved a list spot here: https://www.afl.com.au/aflw/news/14...aplenty-and-which-clubs-nailed-the-aflw-draft. They also implied that, at this point in time, Gold Coast is the only other club who has kept a list spot in reserve (although seeing that Hawthorn passed late in the draft that makes me think that they may have one too). Other spots can open as players have "injuries, pregnancies, or mental health issues". Those spots will be filled at a pre-season draft where the draft order will be the same as last night, for clubs that have list spots.

I think we have been smart to target the pre-season draft, particularly if we might end up with pick 2. Ella Stoddart looks very promising - she wasn't drafted because she wasn't considered fit enough. But if she goes and works on that she could be a worthy selection. Melissa Anderson is another one that I really like the sound of. Some more names that have caught my eye: Annabelle Foate (from the Suns Academy), Sienna Gerardi, Stella Huxtable, Ella Jeffrey, Zoe Vozzo, Isla Wiencke (GWS Academy). Our own Grace Parsons, tall forward, and Amaia Wain (ruck) are two others if they work on what they need to under our noses.

 

[Callipygian]

It feels like a lot of rising and top clubs did well: North, Dees, Carlton, Port, us.

I thought Gold Coast (obviously), Geelong and Collingwood did well too.

Hawks curiously traded into next year. Maybe a trade target?

Of course, it's way too early to say and what would I know anyway.

 

[Callipygian]

Gemma Bastiani confirmed we have saved a list spot here: https://www.afl.com.au/aflw/news/14...aplenty-and-which-clubs-nailed-the-aflw-draft. They also implied that, at this point in time, Gold Coast is the only other club who has kept a list spot in reserve (although seeing that Hawthorn passed late in the draft that makes me think that they may have one too). Other spots can open as players have "injuries, pregnancies, or mental health issues". Those spots will be filled at a pre-season draft where the draft order will be the same as last night, for clubs that have list spots.

I think we have been smart to target the pre-season draft, particularly if we might end up with pick 2. Ella Stoddart looks very promising - she wasn't drafted because she wasn't considered fit enough. But if she goes and works on that she could be a worthy selection. Melissa Anderson is another one that I really like the sound of. Some more names that have caught my eye: Annabelle Foate (from the Suns Academy), Sienna Gerardi, Stella Huxtable, Ella Jeffrey, Chelsea Sutton, Zoe Vozzo, Isla Wiencke (GWS Academy). Our own Grace Parsons, tall forward, and Amaia Wain (ruck) are two others if they work on what they need to under our noses.

Just further on this, the pre-season draft is expected to happen some time in May - before the start of the official pre-season, but after the voluntary pre-season has been going for about 3 months. So players who missed out on being drafted have about 5 months to work hard and see what kind of a dent they can make in their fitness or whatever the issue is and impress clubs with the desire to improve and willingness to work. I think the fact that pre-season draft comes well before the actual season works in our favour because there shouldn't be too many teams that can put players on the inactive list and jump the queue in front of us.

 

[Callipygian]

Despite my comments about approving the decision to preserve a pre-season list spot, I was kind of disappointed that we didn't turn over another couple of list spots. I guess we do need some experienced depth to help out (especially if we have injuries) but I can't help but feel we could have gotten players who are better than the ones at the bottom of our list.

However, on reflection, I think the explanation for this is that some of these players were contracted but it wasn't clear to me e.g. Steele-Park, Brown. I now infer that all draftees automatically get two years (which is unsurprising - except that it's interesting there is no equivalent to the rookie list). And it looks like Imogen Brown was given two years when she was traded in also (but not Jas Grierson - because she had to be extended).

It's weird that there doesn't seem to be any mechanism to be able to recruit a player like Sarah Steele-Park for just one year, except as an injury replacement.

Overall I do think we have improved our list over the off-season, but not as much as I would have liked. There are still a couple of spots on our roster that would be better filled by new recruits (draftees or Irish players) than the incumbents.

 

[joeykanga]

I cant read the article but the heading points to a prettty cool fact.
Both from Singleton. Molly and Alex.

History made as Sydney Swans draft two teens from Singleton

Two Singleton teenagers have been selected in the AFLW draft.

www.singletonargus.com.au

Ps Jasmeen Janschek the ruck GWS took was in the Swans Academy in 2024 and i think moved to Canberra for 2025 and joined the Gws Academy for a year. She seems to have been in our Academy in 2024 during her 18th year. Interesting and she also supports the Swans.

Match practice the key for determined Janschek

Yasmeen Janschek is an athletic ruck who aspires to reach the top level of football since crossing from netball.

central.rookieme.com

 

[Kiama Chris]

I cant read the article but the heading points to a prettty cool fact.
Both from Singleton. Molly and Alex.

History made as Sydney Swans draft two teens from Singleton

Two Singleton teenagers have been selected in the AFLW draft.

www.singletonargus.com.au

Ps Jasmeen Janschek the ruck GWS took was in the Swans Academy in 2024 and i think moved to Canberra for 2025 and joined the Gws Academy for a year. She seems to have been in our Academy in 2024 during her 18th year. Interesting and she also supports the Swans.

Match practice the key for determined Janschek

Yasmeen Janschek is an athletic ruck who aspires to reach the top level of football since crossing from netball.

central.rookieme.com

They all sound like great kids. Full of life and enthusiasm.

 

[joeykanga]

They all sound like great kids. Full of life and enthusiasm.

I loved the interviews...such different personalities and the world is their oyster

 

[Callipygian]

I loved the interviews...such different personalities and the world is their oyster

Which interviews? Any links? Thanks.

 

[joeykanga]

Which interviews? Any links? Thanks.

That was a response to the draft night interviews as the draftees were selected

 

[Callipygian]

That was a response to the draft night interviews as the draftees were selected

Are they available online? I haven't seen them (except for a few, like Wolmarans). Just had a quick squiz at afl.com.au and I can't see them there.

 

[joeykanga]

Are they available online? I haven't seen them (except for a few, like Wolmarans). Just had a quick squiz at afl.com.au and I can't see them there.

Im not sure. Foxtel doesnt have it available as a download.
Ps These are different interviews that were on rookie central but not the ones i was alluding to.
Scroll down to the interviews

Rookie Me Central

Rookie Me Central is an online sports news platform that focuses on the sports of Australian rules football and basketball.

youtube.com

 

[Callipygian]

Despite my comments about approving the decision to preserve a pre-season list spot, I was kind of disappointed that we didn't turn over another couple of list spots. I guess we do need some experienced depth to help out (especially if we have injuries) but I can't help but feel we could have gotten players who are better than the ones at the bottom of our list.

However, on reflection, I think the explanation for this is that some of these players were contracted but it wasn't clear to me e.g. Steele-Park, Brown. I now infer that all draftees automatically get two years (which is unsurprising - except that it's interesting there is no equivalent to the rookie list). And it looks like Imogen Brown was given two years when she was traded in also (but not Jas Grierson - because she had to be extended).

It's weird that there doesn't seem to be any mechanism to be able to recruit a player like Sarah Steele-Park for just one year, except as an injury replacement.

Overall I do think we have improved our list over the off-season, but not as much as I would have liked. There are still a couple of spots on our roster that would be better filled by new recruits (draftees or Irish players) than the incumbents.

Just by the bye, at some stage recently I was looking through the official competition rules and I saw that a club does have space for just a couple (can't remember exact number - but not many) one year rookies. They are called "rookies" but I don't think it has any meaning except they can be signed for just one year.

 

[Ticky009]

 

[Adnico26Parker]

AFLW announce Laura Kane as the new Executive General Manager of the AFLW comp, and introduction of salary cap in 2027:

Salary cap introduced to AFLW as League announces revamped team

Laura Kane will head a bolstered AFLW administration team that will include former Queensland boss Trish Squires

www.afl.com.au

 

[Kiama Chris]

AFLW announce Laura Kane as the new Executive General Manager of the AFLW comp, and introduction of salary cap in 2027:

Salary cap introduced to AFLW as League announces revamped team

Laura Kane will head a bolstered AFLW administration team that will include former Queensland boss Trish Squires

www.afl.com.au

Does anyone think this will improve things in the World of W? Not just Kane but more admin?