Women's Footy Crows AFLW Season 2022 - Premiers; Got the Trophy, cop that AFL House 🖕🏼

Aug 9, 2019
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Melbourne has been widely tipped to be firmly in AFL Women’s premiership calculations, according to the game’s leading players.
AFLW captains were on Tuesday canvassed, with the Demons tipped by seven skippers other than Melbourne leader Daisy Pearce to reach this year’s Grand Final, set to be played in April.

Five other captains nominated Brisbane as a potential grand finalist, but Collingwood co-skipper Steph Chiocci said she couldn’t believe the two-time premiership-winning Crows weren’t in more captains’ calculations.

Which other team apart from your own is most likely to reach the Grand Final?
7 – Melbourne

5 – Brisbane

1 – Adelaide

1 – Collingwood

Who will win the competition Best and Fairest?
2 – Bri Davey (Collingwood)

2 – Ellie Blackburn (Western Bulldogs)

2 – Kiara Bowers (Fremantle)

1 – Jasmine Garner (North Melbourne)

1 – Karen Paxman (Melbourne)

1 – Chloe Molloy (Collingwood)

1 – Monique Conti (Richmond)

1 – Alyce Parker (GWS)

1 – Ebony Marnioff (Adelaide)

1 – Brit Bonnici (Collingwood)

1 – Tyla Hanks (Melbourne)


Who will kick the most goals in the competition?
4 – Chloe Molloy (Collingwood)

3 – Darcy Vescio (Carlton)

2 – Isabel Huntington (Western Bulldogs)

1 – Tayla Harris (Melbourne)

1 – Jesse Wardlaw (Brisbane)

1 – Kate Hore (Melbourne)

1 – Dakota Davidson (Brisbane)

1 – Gemma Houghton (Fremantle)

Who will win the NAB AFL Women’s Rising Star?
10 – Georgie Prespakis (Geelong)

1 – Ellie McKenzie (Richmond)

1 – Jess Fitzgerald (Western Bulldogs)

1 – Charlie Thomas (West Coast)

1 – Charlie Rowbottom (Gold Coast)

Who from your club is the best player from another sport?
Adelaide – Jasmine Simmons (Basketball)

Brisbane – Greta Bodey (Soccer)

Carlton – Brooke Walker (Rugby 7s)

Collingwood – Ash Brazill (Netball)

Fremantle – Janelle Cutherbertson (Tennis)

Geelong – Rachel Kearns (Gaelic)

Gold Coast – Tori Groves-Little (Rugby)

GWS – Cora Staunton (Gaelic)

Melbourne – Libby Birch (Netball)

North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos – Jess Duffin (Cricket)

Richmond – Tessa Lavey (Basketball)

St Kilda – Jess Matin (Cricket)

Western Bulldogs – Bonnie Toogood (Netball)

West Coast – Niamh Kelly (Gaelic)
 
Aug 9, 2019
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But Fox Footy’s Sarah Olle has pored over the footage and statistics to nominate her best 30 players in the competition heading into the 2022 season.

1. Brianna Davey
Collingwood, 26, midfield, 175cm, 34 games

The joint league best-and-fairest winner from 2021 and reigning MVP, Davey is the complete player and leader. With the benefit of a full pre-season, the midfielder shone for the Magpies, who just fell short of a maiden grand final berth. The skipper of the All-Australian team, Davey also had an impact on the scoreboard, kicking six majors for the season. We are so lucky the one-time Matildas goalkeeper made the permanent switch to the AFL women’s league.

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2. Kiara Bowers
Fremantle, 30, midfield, 164cm, 25 games

Along with Davey, the standout star from the 2021 season. So much so the umpires couldn’t split the pair when it came to the league best-and-fairest. Affectionately known as “Turbo”, Bowers is a workhorse who is consistently at the coalface. The 30-year-old was the No.1 ranked player for clearances and tackles in 2021. Put simply, you don’t want to get in Bowers’ way.

3. Ellie Blackburn
Western Bulldogs, 26, mid-forward, 169cm, 37 games

The Bulldogs skipper has that rare ability to change the fortunes of a game through one play. Last year’s Round 4 match against Melbourne – in which Blackburn coolly slotted a goal on the run in the early stages of the final term to help secure the 13-point win — is firmly crystallised in my mind. Strong, dynamic and a natural footballer.

4. Madison Prespakis
Carlton, 21, midfield, 164cm, 24 games

The 2020 league best-and-fairest had another memorable season for the Blues, averaging around 21 disposals per game. Prespakis is a pure footballer. The tough, competitive ball magnet can change the fortunes of a game – whether by touch or inspiration. The Blues midfielder has already achieved so much in her short career and it’s only just getting started.

5. Chloe Molloy
Collingwood, 23, midfield/forward, 171cm, 25 games

A natural footballer whose goal nous is near peerless in the AFLW, Molloy is still only in the infancy of her career. Second only to Carlton’s Darcy Vescio for majors in 2021, Molloy is a bums-on-seats kind of player. After being sidelined in 2019 because of a Lisfranc injury, Molloy has bounced back in emphatic fashion. While she’s at her best up forward, the 23-year-old is also exceptional in defence.

6. Ebony Marinoff
Adelaide, 24, midfield, 169cm, 41 games

There’s not much Marinoff hasn’t achieved and she’s still only 24. The inaugural AFLW Rising Star has twice won premierships with Adelaide and is one of the most consistent ball-winners in the competition. Impressively, the Crows midfielder enjoyed a stellar year following a tumultuous pre-season in which she was suspended for three matches for her front-on tackle on GWS player Brid Stack – a ban that was ultimately overturned.

7. Georgia Patrikios
St Kilda, 20, midfield, 169cm, 15 games

An outstanding midfielder who glides across the field, Patrikios is a dual club best-and-fairest winner at just 20. Her first All-Australian honours in 2021 capped off a stunning season for Patrikios, who’s yet to commit to playing this year because of her hesitation to have the Covid vaccine. It would be a shame should she miss.

8. Alyce Parker
Greater Western Sydney, 21, midfield, 165cm, 23 games

Whether she’s at the bottom of a pack or at the feet of ruck Erin McKinnon, Parker is never lacking in effort or poise. The only Giant to win dual All-Australian honours and twice take home the Gabrielle Trainor Medal, Parker is one of the AFLW’s most consistent performers.

9. Monique Conti
Richmond, 22, midfield, 165cm, 29 games

When you watch Conti closely it sometimes appears as though she is dancing. The Tigers midfielder plays with grace and calm head that belies her 22 years. She will be a driving force as Richmond looks to work its way up the ladder.

10. Erin Phillips
Adelaide, 36, midfield/forward, 173cm, 35 games

The superlatives are endless for Phillips, who is now a household name around the country. At 36, you’d forgive the former WNBA champion for slowing down, but it doesn’t really seem to be in her DNA. The dual league best-and-fairest is the AFLW’s most decorated player. Phillips has twice been named best on ground in winning grand finals, including 2019, when she tore her ACL.

11. Karen Paxman
Melbourne, 33, midfield, 170cm, 39 games

The 33-year-old’s mullet garnered plenty of attention last season, but it was her footy that did all the talking. Whether playing in the guts or across half-back, the five-time All-Australian is a picture of consistency. Paxman’s decision making sets her apart. Seldom does she waste a possession.

12. Emma Kearney
North Melbourne, 32, midfield, 167cm, 39 games

The 2018 AFLW best-and-fairest never struggles finding the pill, but she’s not just an accumulator. Kearney is damaging. An All-Australian in every AFLW season, the 32-year-old is the ultimate competitor and leader. A premiership with the Kangaroos would just about complete Kearney’s CV.

13. Anne Hatchard
Adelaide, 23, midfield-defence, 175cm, 37 games

The evolution of Hatchard from fast food fiend to dual All-Australian and club champion is well documented, but it’s a narrative that shouldn’t be undersold. Hatchard’s 35 disposals in Round 1 of the 2020 season is the most of any player in the history of the AFLW.

14. Isabel Huntington
Western Bulldogs, 22, forward, 175cm, 19 games

The former No.1 pick was the No.1 contested mark last season as she switched back to playing predominantly as a forward, kicking 12 goals. Huntington’s aerial strength is matched by her versatility, with the 2020 Rising Star also previously earning All-Australian honours in defence.

15. Jasmine Garner
North Melbourne, 27, midfield-forward, 175cm, 38 games

The former Magpie – who kicked the first ever goal in the AFLW – has become one of the league’s prime movers. A beautiful kick in front of goal, Garner kicked nine majors in 2021, while averaging 20.7 touches a game. The 2020 AFLW MVP and AFL Coaches’ Association Champion Player of the Year, the 27-year-old is one of the reasons the Kangaroos are consistently around the mark.

16. Kate Lutkins
Brisbane Lions, 33, defence, 180cm, 41 games

There are few accolades bigger and better than winning best-on-ground honours in a winning grand final team. Enter, Kate Lutkins. The three-time All-Australian is like a dam wall in Craig Starcevich’s backline. Reliable, unflappable and near impossible to get past.

17. Katie Brennan
Richmond, 29, forward, 174cm, 26 games

The Tigers skipper returned to her devastating best in 2021, with an All-Australian season that included 14 majors and the third-most contested marks in the competition. A fit and firing Brennan can only be a good thing for the AFLW. Another strong season could see the Tigers pick up from where they left off this year.

18. Chelsea Randall
Adelaide, 30, defence, 173cm, 32 games

Is there anything the Crows captain can’t do? Randall mounts a compelling case for the most versatile player in the AFLW. Her aerial strength is flawless and allows her to play with aplomb in defence or in the forward line. If you look up the word “courageous” in the dictionary, you should find a picture of Randall.
19. Ally Anderson
Brisbane Lions, 27, midfield, 162cm, 41 games

The super consistent midfielder was a driving force in the Lions’ maiden premiership and capped off a spectacular season with her second club best-and-fairest. A foundation player at the Lions, Anderson averaged 18.5 disposals per game in 2021, including 23 in the club’s maiden grand final win.

20. Tyla Hanks
Melbourne, 21, forward, 157cm, 25 games

The 2021 Rising Star, Hanks is a player whose stocks could significantly rise in 2022. At just 157cm, the Melbourne midfielder is diminutive. But what she lacks in size, Hanks sure makes up in skill. With another pre-season under her belt, the 21-year-old could be a key to the Demons claiming that elusive flag under coach Mick Stinear.

21. Brit Bonnici
Collingwood, 24, midfielder, 163cm, 39 games

Easy to spot in her helmet, Bonnici enjoyed her best AFLW season to date in 2021, averaging 23 disposals a game for the Magpies. The 24-year-old is tough and unrelenting. She’s the kind of person and player you’d simply love to line up alongside.

22. Ashleigh Riddell
North Melbourne, 25, midfield, 159cm, 19 games

Averaging just shy of 22 disposals in 2021, Riddell’s ability to burst out of the pack sets her apart from the rest. The 25-year-old – who earned All-Australian honours in 2020 – has a blistering turn of foot that is not just damaging, but lethal.

23. Darcy Vescio
Carlton, 28, forward, 166cm, 39 games

The most prolific goalkicker in the 2021 season, the veteran Blue was outstanding for coach Daniel Harford. Vescio reaped the rewards of a tough pre-season, earning All-Australian honours and taking home Carlton’s best-and-fairest.

24. Gemma Houghton
Fremantle, 28, forward, 179cm, 34 games

Houghton is an excitement machine, who has that “je ne sais quoi” X-factor. She kicked 15 goals in 2021, including five against West Coast in the derby in Round 6. The 27-year-old forward is a difficult match-up, with her aerial prowess and athleticism often a lethal combination.

25. Ellie McKenzie
Richmond, 19, forward-midfield, 176cm, 9 games

The 2020 No.1 draft pick enjoyed a stellar debut season in which her versatility and athleticism stood out. Powerful through the midfield as well as in the forward line, the youngster ended the season with the honours of being the AFL Players Association best first year player, as well as the runner up in Richmond’s best-and-fairest.

26. Ruby Schleicher
Collingwood, 23, defender, 175cm, 29 games

A foundation player for the Magpies, Schleicher came into her own in 2021. A huge pre-season in which she increased her tank was pivotal in Schleicher’s best season to date. The 23-year-old is a likeable larrikin off the field, but is increasingly becoming one of the more wily performers on the park.

27. Jaimee Lambert
Collingwood, 29, midfielder, 160cm, 38 games

Another Magpie midfielder who doesn’t shirk a contest, Lambert is all heart. The 29-year-old is strong through the hips, allowing her to dominate around the contest. Drafted by the Western Bulldogs with their inaugural AFLW pick, Lambert has blossomed since becoming a Magpie, winning two club best-and-fairests.

28. Meg McDonald
Geelong, 30, defence, 177cm, 25 games

The Cats skipper was under duress much of the season, with the Cats finally breaking through in the last round of the season for a win. Despite the pressure, McDonald was largely unflappable. By season’s end, she had racked up the second-most intercept possessions n the league. It’s been a wild ride for the defender, who was delisted by the Western Bulldogs at the end of 2017. A true lesson in persistence.

29. Janelle Cuthbertson
Fremantle, 31, defence, 175cm, 15 games

The All-Australian half-back has one of the most remarkable stories in the AFLW. A former tennis player who only took up the sport four years ago, the 31-year-old still has so much room to grow. A third in the club best-and-fairest – after the revelation she’d played half the season with a broken rib – was particularly impressive.

30. Emma King
North Melbourne, 27, forward-ruck, 187cm, 38 games

The 27-year-old is a particularly difficult match-up because of her potency when rested forward. The Cats found that out the hard way in Round 1 of 2021 when King slotted three majors. The former Magpies marquee player is ultra consistent, with her tap work and aerial dominance making King a standout.
 
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LAST YEAR’S TOP 30

30. Caitlin Greiser – St Kilda

29. Daisy Pearce – Melbourne

28. Sharni Layton – Collingwood

27. Gemma Houghton – Fremantle

26 Jamie Stanton – Gold Coast

25. Kate Hore – Melbourne

24. Tayla Harris – Carlton

23. Chloe Molloy – Collingwood

22. Ellie Blackburn – Western Bulldogs

21. Emily Bates – Brisbane

20. Kerryn Harrington – Carlton

19. Olivia Purcell – Geelong

18. Jenna Bruton – North Melbourne

17. Ebony Marinoff – Adelaide

16. Monique Conti – Richmond

15. Ashleigh Riddell – North Melbourne

14. Brianna Davey – Collingwood

13. Anne Hatchard – Adelaide

12. Alyce Parker – Greater Western Sydney

11. Dana Hooker – West Coast

10. Chelsea Randall – Adelaide

9. Isabel Huntington – Western Bulldogs

8. Kate Lutkins – Brisbane

7. Jaimee Lambert – Collingwood

6. Kiara Bowers – Fremantle

5. Karen Paxman – Melbourne

4. Emma Kearney – North Melbourne

3. Madison Prespakis – Carlton

2. Erin Phillips – Adelaide

1. Jasmine Garner – North Melbourne
 
Apr 22, 2007
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Erin Philips at 10? Still one of the only players in the league that can win a game off her own boot.

I see Sarah Allen is still massively underrated by basically every "expert" when do these experts ask themselves why has Adelaide has been so good for so long?
 
Apr 29, 2008
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It seems like Melbourne is talked up every year. Still yet to make a single grand final.

Interesting that the Crows nominated Jasmine Simmonds as their best player from another sport. I assume they mean only recently from another sport? Otherwise there's a few soccer/rugby converts who would put their hand up. Either that or Simmonds is going to be very good. It would be very helpful if she could be a younger version of Jess Foley.
 
Apr 29, 2008
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Erin Philips at 10? Still one of the only players in the league that can win a game off her own boot.

I see Sarah Allen is still massively underrated by basically every "expert" when do these experts ask themselves why has Adelaide has been so good for so long?

Phillips is perhaps getting slightly long in the tooth now, perhaps? I think the bigger oversight is Chelsea Randall at 18th - come on. Top ten player in the comp for sure, and I would argue top five.

Also agreed that no Sarah Allen in the top 30 is a joke.
 
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Aug 9, 2019
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AFLW 2022: Adelaide starlet Erin Phillips fears everyone in her team will get Covid
As Covid transmissions across the country continue to grow, AFLW superstar Erin Phillips fears it is inevitable that everyone will contract the virus.

Star AFLW player Erin Phillips says she is almost expecting herself and her Adelaide teammates to be infected with Covid-19 as the spread of the virus looms over the 2022 season.
The widespread transmission of the omicron variant threatens to seriously impact the AFLW season, which begins on Friday.

At least four Victorian teams are grappling with the impact of players in isolation.

North Melbourne captain Emma Kearney is in serious doubt for the Kangaroos’ match against Geelong after she tested positive.



Phillips said she was bracing for the league to be hit.

“At some point there is a very good chance that I will get it, probably everyone in our team will get it,” she said.

“Hopefully it doesn’t happen I think the biggest thing is just being as cautious as possible.”

South Australia has a 10 day isolation period for positive Covid cases and a 15-minute time frame for someone to be defined as a close contact – while under new rules some close contacts may have to quarantine up to 14 days.

Phillips said this could make some player’s seasons very short.

“With the season being what it is, it is quite short so if you miss one game you could likely if you do get the virus you could potentially miss two games,” she said.

“So we are being so cautious in what we do, wearing masks while doing weights and when we are inside the club.”

But Phillips said it would be hard to avoid the virus, especially with AFLW players being part time and having to be in the community.

“We are doing our best to try and avoid it but you never know what can happen,” she said.

“I’ve got kids starting school soon … so some things are going to be unavoidable and we will have to deal with the cards that we are dealt.”
 

Firewalker

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The question of weather she'll play for Port have already started.

I wonder if we'll start offering contracts to the ones we really want to keep early this season?

For the first time in that interview it sounded the most like she’s going to hang around to play for Port.

Those conversations would’ve certainly already taken place with the top half a dozen talents but like I’ve posted before the AFL will most likely stick their noses in/open the chequebook and make it hard as they’ll want a Hatchard and/or Marinoff to defect to Port.
 

AFC3000

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I don't know that Erin will play on and go to Port, Port would talk it up, she was announced as their first captain after all, but I think there is probably a bit more respect around the AFLW and it wouldn't be a huge thing, I don't think she'd want to devalue her achievements here by knocking the club at every opportunity or anything like that.

It would probably be nice to get the "win" and have her stay if playing on, but assuming there is a cap on the amount of players they can take from us, one of them being a nearly retired Erin Phillips would probably be best for us long term.

I wonder how the club will play it, will tough decisions, like the recent ones in the mens team be made on senior players, perhaps given the encouragement to look down the road for opportunities to keep them away from a few of our top younger players.
 
Apr 29, 2008
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Good old Ticketek. Went to book my tickets today, it informed me I couldn't do so until I had changed my password, and then it took well over an hour to send me the "reset your password" link. Fortunately this isn't the kind of event where I had to worry about tickets selling out, but I'd be pretty pissed if I missed out on a sold-out event because of it!
 

Firewalker

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Dayna Cox out yet again for an extended period of time. Really hurts the team that, especially personnel wise with the backline already pretty much the most under strength part of the team.
 
Apr 29, 2008
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At least we've got a clean bill of health other than that. (LTIs aside - gee Ang Foley would be handy!)

I reckon put Randall back in defence, which is where she plays best anyway. I imagine SLT will stay down back as well. Add in Sarah Allan and there's some quality back there. Rajcic and Najwa Allen can do a job back there too.

For me the most interesting question is what happens up forward. Will Phillips spend most of her time there, or try to reprise her 50/50 midfield/forward role? I'm guessing Woodland will be a fixture down there again, but beyond that things are up in the air. Maybe Biddell takes her opportunity with both hands this year? Maybe Ponter finds some form? Or one of the rucks spends time up there?
 
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Firewalker

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For Round 1 do we move Martin back for a negating role on Courtney Hodder.
Interesting to see if they have any plan this time around after having no answer in the GF, think with Nikki Gore back from her fractured ankle she’ll probably play down back again and get the job. Just need to make sure you don’t end up with Hodder mismatched up again on the slow defenders back there (Najwa Allen & Rajcic).

Lack of speed a issue in the team overall but especially down back in that defence which was the reason Gore was moved back there originally before her injury.

Pretty dominant start to the season for Richmond! 10.1 to 3.5 over St Kilda, that's a fair thumping, especially considering Richmond weren't much chop last year.

29 touches for Mon Conti is a quality effort too.
Richmond having both Hosking twins out there was like the Bulldogs men’s team having 2 Toby McLean’s out there 🦆 🦆
 
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Apr 29, 2008
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Geelong on the cusp of knocking over North Melbourne, leading at the 3QT break. Would be a big turnaround after only winning one match last season!

Meanwhile Chloe Scheer is probably concussed after colliding with a teammate. She's a great player but geez, she just can't stop getting injured!

Edit: Or not... three goals in a row to NM!
 
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