Women's Footy AFLW 2025

[captainMyCaptain]

So 2 F2s and an F3, with an F4 in return - we end up with not so many picks in next year's draft?

Or can we keep trading 'into the future' indefinitely? This is probably a dumb question as I don't follow the men's but I know they've been trading future picks for longer.

We certainly gave up a lot and a lot of those picks would have helped matching bids on our seemingly highly rated academy group for next year. But I guess we will look at other ways of doing that when the time comes.

Also here is an old article on the current rules on trading future draft pick in the aflw

AFLW makes major trade change, new rule introduced

AFLW will introduce future pick trading, starting this year, while there will be several other rule tweaks

www.afl.com.au

 

[captainMyCaptain]

 

[captainMyCaptain]

If Bown slides to us as has been suggested I just hope it's not a repeat of last year when we decided not to go with Zippy

 

[Giant Strides]

If Bown slides to us as has been suggested I just hope it's not a repeat of last year when we decided not to go with Zippy

We definitely need some midfield support. I don't see how we can reasonably overlook her if she is rated top 2 or 3 and is a midfielder.

 

[Giant Strides]

Some of the names linked to GWS at Monday's AFLW Draft:

Kevin Sheehan’s 2025 Telstra AFLW Draft top prospects

AFL Talent Ambassador Kevin Sheehan has revealed his top 30 prospects for the 2025 Telstra AFLW Draft.

www.afl.com.au

Chloe Bown
State: Victoria Metro
State League Club: Oakleigh Chargers
Community Club: Kew Comets
Date of Birth: 20/12/2007
Height: 173cm
Weapons: Game sense, clean hands and endurance
AFLW player comparison: Georgie Prespakis (Geelong Cats)
Player ranking points (U18 National Champs): 136.6 points per game

Classy midfielder who wins the ball at clearances with her clean hands and courage and gathers the loose ball with her footy nous and IQ. Bown also has amazing vision and quick hands to clear congestion. She had an outstanding 2025 season, winning awards and honours at all levels she played. At the National Championships for Victoria Metro she averaged 27.5 disposals (15.8 contested), 5.8 clearances and 5.5 tackles to be named her team’s MVP while also winning the Championships’ best and fairest player award, as well as being named All Australian captain. Was just as dominant at club level for the Oakleigh Chargers, where she averaged 29.2 disposals in 13 matches to win the Coates Talent League’s best and fairest medal as well as being named captain of the Team of the Year. As a member of the Marsh AFL National Academy she added to her medal collection by winning the Australia U18 team’s best player award in the win over the U23 All Stars in April. Showed her elite endurance during the 2km time trial at the Draft Combine, with her time of 7:33 seconds ranked fourth overall.

Scarlett Johnson
State: Victoria Metro
State League Club: Northern Knights
Community Club: Eltham
Date of Birth: 26/11/2007
Height: 175cm
Weapons: Overhead marking and footy IQ
AFLW player comparison: Jess Rentsch (West Coast Eagles)
Player ranking points (U18 National Champs): 99.8 points per game

Winger/defender whose intercept marking is a real strength of her game, Johnson runs all day, getting from contest to contest where she competes fiercely. Was a consistently good performer for Victoria Metro at the National Championships, averaging 19.5 disposals (8.5 contested), 4.5 marks and 2.5 tackles to win All Australian honours. Was dominant for the Northern Knights at club level, averaging 25.8 disposals, 6.2 marks and five tackles in winning their best and fairest award and Coates Talent League Team of the Year selection. Showed her athleticism at the Draft Combine with a top ten finish in the 20m sprint with a time of 3.29 seconds.

Alex Neyland
State: NSW-ACT
State League Club: Sydney Swans Academy
Community Club: Singleton
Date of Birth: 04/09/2007
Height: 178cm
Weapons: Athletic ability and kicking
AFLW player comparison: Aine McDonagh (Hawthorn)
Player ranking points (U18 National Champs): 77 points per game

A smooth-moving midfielder/defender, Neyland showed a touch of class playing for the Allies at the National Championships with her run and agility breaking up the play. Featured among her team’s best against both Victoria Metro and Victoria Country. Was a star for the Sydney Swans Academy, averaging 18.5 disposals in six matches throughout the year. Her athletic ability was showcased at the Draft Combine, where she ranked number one in the running vertical jump (73cm), second in the agility test (8.5 seconds) and top-five in the 2km time trial (7:40).

Olivia Wolmarans
State: Western Australia
State League Club: Subiaco
Community Club: Mt Hawthorn Cardinals
Date of Birth: 02/09/2007
Height: 181cm
Weapons: Overhead marking, agility and goalkicking
AFLW player comparison: Jesse Wardlaw (St Kilda)
Player ranking points (U18 National Champs): 84.4 points per game

Exciting and athletic tall forward, Wolmarans attacks the ball with real intent, both in the air and at ground level, and is very difficult for any opposition to contain. First came on the scene for Western Australia at under 16s level in 2023, where she starred as a ruck/forward to win All Australian honours. At this year’s U18 National Championships she showed she could turn her opponent inside out with her agility. She averaged 12.5 disposals, 4.2 marks and 1.5 goals per game, which included kicking four goals against the Allies in a match-winning performance. Became a back-to-back All Australian at under 18s level after winning the honour last year as a bottom-ager. Was a member of the Marsh AFL National Academy.

 

[petits]

Let's take the Georgie Prespakis one and the Jesse Wardlaw one please! Assuming rumours are true that Richmond are going to take Johnson.

 

[captainMyCaptain]

Some of the names linked to GWS at Monday's AFLW Draft:

Kevin Sheehan’s 2025 Telstra AFLW Draft top prospects

AFL Talent Ambassador Kevin Sheehan has revealed his top 30 prospects for the 2025 Telstra AFLW Draft.

www.afl.com.au

Chloe Bown
State: Victoria Metro
State League Club: Oakleigh Chargers
Community Club: Kew Comets
Date of Birth: 20/12/2007
Height: 173cm
Weapons: Game sense, clean hands and endurance
AFLW player comparison: Georgie Prespakis (Geelong Cats)
Player ranking points (U18 National Champs): 136.6 points per game

Classy midfielder who wins the ball at clearances with her clean hands and courage and gathers the loose ball with her footy nous and IQ. Bown also has amazing vision and quick hands to clear congestion. She had an outstanding 2025 season, winning awards and honours at all levels she played. At the National Championships for Victoria Metro she averaged 27.5 disposals (15.8 contested), 5.8 clearances and 5.5 tackles to be named her team’s MVP while also winning the Championships’ best and fairest player award, as well as being named All Australian captain. Was just as dominant at club level for the Oakleigh Chargers, where she averaged 29.2 disposals in 13 matches to win the Coates Talent League’s best and fairest medal as well as being named captain of the Team of the Year. As a member of the Marsh AFL National Academy she added to her medal collection by winning the Australia U18 team’s best player award in the win over the U23 All Stars in April. Showed her elite endurance during the 2km time trial at the Draft Combine, with her time of 7:33 seconds ranked fourth overall.

Scarlett Johnson
State: Victoria Metro
State League Club: Northern Knights
Community Club: Eltham
Date of Birth: 26/11/2007
Height: 175cm
Weapons: Overhead marking and footy IQ
AFLW player comparison: Jess Rentsch (West Coast Eagles)
Player ranking points (U18 National Champs): 99.8 points per game

Winger/defender whose intercept marking is a real strength of her game, Johnson runs all day, getting from contest to contest where she competes fiercely. Was a consistently good performer for Victoria Metro at the National Championships, averaging 19.5 disposals (8.5 contested), 4.5 marks and 2.5 tackles to win All Australian honours. Was dominant for the Northern Knights at club level, averaging 25.8 disposals, 6.2 marks and five tackles in winning their best and fairest award and Coates Talent League Team of the Year selection. Showed her athleticism at the Draft Combine with a top ten finish in the 20m sprint with a time of 3.29 seconds.

Alex Neyland
State: NSW-ACT
State League Club: Sydney Swans Academy
Community Club: Singleton
Date of Birth: 04/09/2007
Height: 178cm
Weapons: Athletic ability and kicking
AFLW player comparison: Aine McDonagh (Hawthorn)
Player ranking points (U18 National Champs): 77 points per game

A smooth-moving midfielder/defender, Neyland showed a touch of class playing for the Allies at the National Championships with her run and agility breaking up the play. Featured among her team’s best against both Victoria Metro and Victoria Country. Was a star for the Sydney Swans Academy, averaging 18.5 disposals in six matches throughout the year. Her athletic ability was showcased at the Draft Combine, where she ranked number one in the running vertical jump (73cm), second in the agility test (8.5 seconds) and top-five in the 2km time trial (7:40).

Olivia Wolmarans
State: Western Australia
State League Club: Subiaco
Community Club: Mt Hawthorn Cardinals
Date of Birth: 02/09/2007
Height: 181cm
Weapons: Overhead marking, agility and goalkicking
AFLW player comparison: Jesse Wardlaw (St Kilda)
Player ranking points (U18 National Champs): 84.4 points per game

Exciting and athletic tall forward, Wolmarans attacks the ball with real intent, both in the air and at ground level, and is very difficult for any opposition to contain. First came on the scene for Western Australia at under 16s level in 2023, where she starred as a ruck/forward to win All Australian honours. At this year’s U18 National Championships she showed she could turn her opponent inside out with her agility. She averaged 12.5 disposals, 4.2 marks and 1.5 goals per game, which included kicking four goals against the Allies in a match-winning performance. Became a back-to-back All Australian at under 18s level after winning the honour last year as a bottom-ager. Was a member of the Marsh AFL National Academy.

If we happen to go with Wolmarans who looks like a special talent. She certainly seems to come with an open mind with relocating to a new state:

Wolmarans and her family have been invited to the official AFLW draft function in Melbourne on Monday, underlining her top five chances. While some prospects baulk at the prospect of leaving home, Wolmarans knows it’s the best thing for her career. “Even a few years ago, when it was still a state draft, I told mum I was going to choose national,” she said.
“I want to move. I’ve always had that mindset. My mum went through it when she played netball for the South African Proteas. “Having that support from my mum and dad, they’re not holding me back. They want me to accomplish my dreams.” And that dream is on the cusp of becoming a reality. “I’ll be happy with whatever team picks me up but Kaitlyn Srhoj is also at GWS so that would be nice,” she said. “But I don’t mind.

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[Giant Strides]

I definitely feel that we don't need another outside mid, so I would be very happy if Richmond do as the media suggest and take Scarlett Johnson.

That allows us to take Chloe Bown to add to the midfield, and Olivia Wolmarans up front.

With Alyce Parker back, Zarlie Goldsworthy can evenly split her time between mid and forward. That might allow us to win ball, get it forward, and actually kick some goals.

 

[captainMyCaptain]

A draft preview for us from RookieMe

The name touted for this selection is Oakleigh Chargers’ Chloe Bown who fits a perfect ball-winning need around the stoppages, and can also go forward and hit the scoreboard. Able to play a similar role to Zarlie Goldsworthy in that rotational mid-forward area, the Vic Metro MVP was tipped to be the first open pool player off the board throughout most of the season.

With Richmond committing to Scarlett Johnson, it leaves Bown available for the Giants who no doubt could not read her name out quicker. The talented midfielder will join the likes of Kaitlyn Srhoj and Sara Howley of previous seasons in being a top-end pick who can make an immediate impact. Watch for her to play from Round 1 if fit and will be a Rising Star contender.

The general consensus around the draft circles that pick three is also locked in, with Subiaco tall forward Olivia Wolmarans set to join Bown in western Sydney. Starring out west for the Lions, Wolmarans has shown her ability to be a commanding presence inside 50 – a vital need for the score-deprived Giants – and will no doubt provide a great one-two punch.

GWS might only end up using those two selections depending on list spots, so discussing Pick 57 might be moot. The Giants haven’t selected a homegrown Academy talent in a little while, with Canberra product Isla Wiencke being GWS’ sole Draft Combine invitee. A tough inside midfielder-forward, Wiencke would provide immediate support for that contested ball-winning, which is something the Giants struggled with in the absence of Alyce Parker last season.

2025 AFLW Draft Preview: GWS Giants

GWS Giants are well placed to pick up top stars Chloe Bown and Olivia Wolmarans with their second and third selections in the draft.

central.rookieme.com

 

[Giant Strides]

Here's RMC's top 10 power rankings for this draft. Apart from our actual selections, we might throw in a couple of bids on Suns and Swans girls:

 

[Giant Strides]

So, captainMyCaptain or petits, with Poppy Boltz and Tilly Lucas-Rodd as certainties, and let's assume we do as expected and take Chloe Bown and Olivia Wolmarans, what would your guess at a GWS team for round 1 next year be?

 

[captainMyCaptain]

With these delisting we will have the space to take a 3rd selection in the draft

 

[captainMyCaptain]

So, captainMyCaptain or petits, with Poppy Boltz and Tilly Lucas-Rodd as certainties, and let's assume we do as expected and take Chloe Bown and Olivia Wolmarans, what would your guess at a GWS team for round 1 next year be?

Here is my very rough go at it. But got to say on paper our list has never looked better but still of the opinion that the players will be let down by the coaching department and likely to finish bottom 4 again.

B: Cambridge McCormick, Poppy Boltz
HB: Tilly Lucas-Rodd, Isabel Huntington, Kaitlyn Srhoj
C: Madison Brazendale, Bec Beeson, Sara Howley
HF: Zarlie Goldsworthy, Georgia Garnett, Tarni Evans
F: Alicia Eva, Olivia Wolmarans?
Foll: Eilish O'Dowd, Alyce Parker, Chloe Bown?
I/C: Eleanor Brown, Grace Kos, Emily Pease, Jess Doyle, Grace Martin

 

[captainMyCaptain]

Well..

The Giants are weighing whether to back themselves to retain top Victorian prospect Chloe Bown or look elsewhere after meeting with the gun midfielder’s management in recent days. But it is understood concerns have grown over Bown’s willingness to remain at GWS long-term, in a similar development to 12 months ago when India Rasheed’s management signalled to clubs her strong preference was to remain in Adelaide.

Late mail: The go-home concerns set to shape AFLW Draft

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www.codesports.com.au

 

[captainMyCaptain]

 

[Giant Strides]

May as well sold the pick for more value if we'd known during trade week.

 

[captainMyCaptain]

I guess the inference here is that we will now be targeting Yerbury and as a side note she has recently started following the clubs aflw account on instagram.

 

[captainMyCaptain]

May as well sold the pick for more value if we'd known during trade week.

The club was probably thinking for most of the trade period we would be going with the combo of Johnson and Wolmarans until the tigers made it clear that Johnson was their target for pick 1.

 

[Giant Strides]

The club was probably thinking for most of the trade period we would be going with the combo of Johnson and Wolmarans until the tigers made it clear that Johnson was their target for pick 1.

Yeah, and if it didn't become clear that she didn't want to stay in NSW until too late, that's not on the club. There needs to be some penalty attached for doing that ... except I guess they'll just lie and hide it until they do pull the "leave" card 2 years later.

The problem being that we won't get value even if she proves to be a star in her 2 years here. A club like Norths will come along and offer pick 37 for her.

 

[petits]

Is it worth trying to even predict these things, when NSW players like McCormick can decide they want to move to Vic anyway? Should we just pick the best available and then do our best to win them over to Sydney life?

 

[Giant Strides]

GIANTS Make Two List Changes

Young utility Indi Linde and speedster Sophie Kavanagh have been informed that they will not be offered GIANTS contracts for the 2026 AFLW season.

www.gwsgiants.com.au

Young utility Indi Linde and speedster Sophie Kavanagh have been informed that they will not be offered GIANTS contracts for the 2026 AFLW season.

 

[Giant Strides]

Sarah Black's top 25 prospects for tonight's AFLW Draft

AFLW expert Sarah Black has crunched the numbers ahead of the AFLW Draft on Monday night, and this is how she sees the first round playing out

www.afl.com.au

SCARLETT JOHNSON​

Position: Utility
Height: 175cm
From: Victoria, Northern Knights/Eltham

A genuine draft bolter, Johnson's selling points are her athleticism and strong overhead marking. Can play across all three lines, including as a taller midfielder (for reference, she's the same height as Bri Davey) and is a noted leader. Strong Telstra AFLW Combine test results: third in the agility, ninth in the running vertical jump and 10th in the 20m sprint. U18 All-Australian at half-back, Coates Talent League Team of the Year on the wing, and Northern Knights best and fairest.

Where could she go?

Richmond appears most likely at pick one, having traded up to get access ahead of a host of clubs who were keen. Greater Western Sydney is waiting with picks two and three.

OLIVIA WOLMARANS​

Position: Key forward
Height: 180cm
From: Western Australia, Subiaco/Mt Hawthorn

The top key forward in the pool. A classic old-school target, but with plenty of athleticism to add to the mix. Comes from a truly unique sporting background of heptathlon and rugby before focusing purely on footy. Booming kick, agile at ground level and Under-18 All-Australian for the past two years.

Where could she go?

Greater Western Sydney has its eyes firmly on the West Australian with pick No.2. Wouldn't look out of place at Punt Road, either.

ALEX NEYLAND​

Position: Utility
Height: 178cm
From: New South Wales, Sydney Academy/Singleton

Also goes by Ally, surname pronounced Nai-lend. An athletic utility from Singleton, 80km inland from Newcastle. Has caught the eye of many with a sterling return from a torn ACL. Particularly strong overhead – described as reminiscent of Tayla Harris – and quick on the ground. Dominated the Combine – second in the agility, standing and running vertical jumps, and fifth in the 2km time trial.

Where could she go?

We could see the first bid of the draft here at No.3, with GWS a possibility to make Sydney pay up, in order to flush out other Swans Academy members into the general pool. Swans likely to match a Neyland bid with their pick 18.

KIERA YERBURY​

Position: Midfielder
Height: 173cm
From: New South Wales, Sydney Academy/St Ives

A taller, athletic midfielder who has had a lot of love in the past few months. One of the few in the pool with both an excellent burst from the contest, and the foot skills and smarts to elevate her game. Also has a great endurance base.

Where could she go?

This could be the result of GWS' cunning plan – by forcing the Swans to pay up on Neyland, their crosstown rivals won't be able to match a subsequent bid on fellow club Academy member Yerbury. Adelaide awaits if this doesn't eventuate.

CHLOE BOWN​

Position: Midfielder
Height: 174cm
From: Victoria, Oakleigh Chargers/Kew

Bown does everything very, very well. A midfielder who can find the goals, she's a strong tackler, tenacious and a quiet accumulator. Finished fourth in the Combine's 2km time trial. Has a heaving bookshelf after an insane final season of junior footy – Under-18 All-Australian captain, Vic Metro MVP, overall MVP of the national championships, Coates Talent League B&F and Oakleigh's B&F.

Where could she go?

Was looking like a lock at pick No.1 until Richmond's change of heart. Unlikely to head to GWS, and could very well slide to Adelaide at pick No.4.

 

[captainMyCaptain]

 

[captainMyCaptain]

Assuming it plays out for us the way both phantoms are suggesting I have no doubt that Wolmarans will be an absolute star of the comp in the years ahead. While Yerbury has a great speed and endurance combo and see her floor being Zreika but her possible ceiling could be something special.

 

[captainMyCaptain]

So potentially could be going with 2 NSW girls