AFLW teams and tips: Round 1 teams and predictions for every match from our expert tipsters
The teams are in for the blockbuster grand final rematch between the Crows and Dees — and there are some new recruits from the off-season. Plus, expert tips.
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It’s going to be tough to predict, but our experts have given it their best shot ahead of the uncertainty of round 1.
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The season opens with a blockbuster between old enemies Collingwood and Carlton.
See all our expert tips and the teams as they drop below.
AFLW ROUND 1 TEAMS
Carlton v Collingwood
Thursday, August 25, 2022, 07.10pm @ Ikon Park
BLUES
B: P.Trudgeon, V.Laloifi
HB: B.Vickers, K.Peterson (c), L.McEvoy
C: J.Dal Pos, E.O’Dea, G.Pound
HF: D.Vescio, J.Good, N.Plane
F: P.McWilliams, K.Sherar
Foll: B.Moody, M.Hill, A.McKay
Int: M.Guerin, A.Lee, D.Walker, A.Velardo, M.Austin
Emg: K.Skepper, C.Hammans, S.Gibbs
PIES
B: S.Casey, S.Livingstone
HB: A.Porter, L.Butler, R.Schleicher
C: S.Chiocci (c), J.Lambert, J.Allen
HF: A.Moloney, J.Membrey, E.James
F: S.Frederick, T.Brown
Foll: A.Downie, C.Molloy, L.Brazzale
Int: I.Evans, E.Chaston, A.Sheridan, I.Barnett, S.Sansonetti
Emg: E.Fowler, C.Taylor, J.Lin
Adelaide v Melbourne
Friday August 26, 2022, 7:40pm AEST @ ACH Group Stadium
CROWS
B: L.Whiteley 22 M.Rajcic 32
HB: C.Biddell 12 S.Allan 39 N.Allen 8
C: E.Jones 2 E.Marinoff 10 N.Kelly 23
HF: T.Charlton 25 C.Randall - C 26 S.Thompson 14
F: D.Ponter 15 A.Woodland 24
FOLL: C.Gould 1 A.Hatchard 33 H.Button 6
INT: M.Newman 17 M.McKinnon 21 R.Martin 5 H.Munyard 20 A.Ballard 27
EMERG: A.Ward 3 Z.Prowse 4 B.Tonon 28
DEMONS
B: L.Birch 9 T.Gillard 17
HB: S.Lampard 8 M.Gay 3 S.Heath 30
C: L.Mithen 14 T.Hanks 5 K.Paxman 4
HF: K.Hore 10 C.Sherriff 18 T.Harris 7
F: D.Pearce - C 6 A.Bannan 16
FOLL: L.Pearce 15 E.West 11 O.Purcell 2
INT: M.Chaplin 13 S.Johnson 25 E.Zanker 29 M.Fitzsimon 24 J.Ivey 19
EMERG: B.Mackin 31 G.Campbell 1 C.Wilson 20
AFLW ROUND 1 EXPERT TIPS
Ellie Blackburn
Collingwood
Melbourne
North Melbourne
Port Adelaide
St Kilda
Essendon
Western Bulldogs
Brisbane Lions
Richmond
Chris Cavanagh
Collingwood 12
Adelaide 1
North Melbourne 30
West Coast 1
St Kilda 12
Essendon 1
Western Bulldogs 12
Brisbane Lions 18
Richmond 1
Gemma Houghton
Collingwood
Melbourne
North Melbourne
Port Adelaide
St Kilda
Essendon
GWS Giants
Brisbane Lions
Richmond
Sarah Jones
Carlton 2
Adelaide 3
North Melbourne 10
West Coast 9
St Kilda 10
Essendon 20
Western Bulldogs 19
Brisbane Lions 15
Geelong 3
Ebony Marinoff
Collingwood
Adelaide
North Melbourne
Port Adelaide
St Kilda
Essendon
Western Bulldogs
Brisbane Lions
Geelong
Kate McCarthy
Collingwood
Melbourne
North Melbourne
Port Adelaide
St Kilda
Hawthorn
Western Bulldogs
Brisbane Lions
Richmond
Glenn McFarlane
Collingwood 10
Melbourne 1
North Melbourne 23
Port Adelaide 3
St Kilda 9
Essendon 12
Western Bulldogs 15
Brisbane 16
Richmond 3
Chloe Molloy
Collingwood
Melbourne
North Melbourne
Port Adelaide
Sydney
Hawthorn
Western Bulldogs
Brisbane Lions
Richmond
Aliesha Newman
Collingwood
Melbourne
North Melbourne
West Coast
Sydney
Essendon
GWS Giants
Brisbane Lions
Richmond
Mark Robinson
Carlton 5
Adelaide 10
North Melbourne 28
West Coast 4
St Kilda 5
Essendon 11
Western Bulldogs 22
Brisbane Lions 30
Richmond 1
Matt Turner
Collingwood 6
Melbourne 15
North Melbourne 10
West Coast 11
Sydney 4
Essendon 8
Western Bulldogs 10
Brisbane Lions 14
Geelong 16
Liz Walsh
Collingwood 6
Adelaide 15
North Melbourne 30
Port Adelaide 11
St Kilda 8
Essendon 3
Western Bulldogs 12
Brisbane Lions 23
Richmond 1
Rebecca Williams
Collingwood 10
Melbourne 8
North Melbourne 12
West Coast 6
St Kilda 9
Essendon 7
Western Bulldogs 5
Brisbane Lions 11
Richmond 9
Lauren Wood
Collingwood 9
Adelaide 7
North Melbourne 5
West Coast 10
St Kilda 17
Essendon 11
Western Bulldogs 13
Brisbane Lions 19
Geelong 4
Kiss of Death
Carlton 13
Adelaide 13
Gold Coast 13
Port Adelaide 13
St Kilda 13
Hawthorn 13
GWS Giants 13
Fremantle 13
Richmond 13
Predicted ladder: How every club is placed for AFLW 7
—Lauren Wood, Liz Walsh, Rebecca Williams
Carlton and Collingwood played the first ever AFLW match in 2017, and the Blues and Pies will kick off a very different season in 2022.
Essendon, Hawthorn, Port Adelaide and Sydney have joined the competition to create an 18-team league for the first time.
See who’s in and out at every club and the players to watch in our ultimate guide to season seven – and scroll down to see our predicted ladder.
ADELAIDE
Captain: Chelsea Randall
Coach: Matthew Clarke
Ins: Keeley Kustermann, Kiera Mueller (draft), Niamh Kelly, Amber Ward (West Coast), Jess Waterhouse (South Adelaide), McKenzie Dowrick (delisted then redrafted)
Outs: Erin Phillips, Ange Foley, Justine Mules (Port); Nikki Gore (Fremantle); Jasmyn Hewett (inactive list/work commitments), Rhiannon Metcalfe (inactive list then retired due to work commitments), Jess Sedunary (inactive list, traded to West Coast), Deni Varnhagen (inactive list/pregnancy), Dayna Cox (inactive list/work commitments)
Last season finish: 1st
Star power: Anne Hatchard and Ebony Marinoff are two of the biggest stars of the competition who are now playing their seventh season side-by-side.
Rising stars: Eloise Jones continues to flourish after a shift into the midfield, alongside 20-year-old Teah Charlton, who is coming into her third AFLW season.
Expected finish: 1st
BRISBANE LIONS
Captain: Breanna Koenen
Coach: Craig Starcevich
Ins: Dee Heslop, Kiara Hillier, Charlotte Mullins, Ella Smith (draft)
Outs: Maria Moloney, Indy Tahau (Port Adelaide), Jess Wuetschner (delisted), Maggie Harmer (inactive list/personal list), Bella Smith (inactive/knee injury)
Last season finish: 3rd
Star power: Reigning AFLW best-and-fairest Emily Bates has enjoyed a strong pre-season, while Orla O’Dwyer is quickly being recognised as the best Irish player in the AFLW.
Rising stars: Arguably the best small forward in the country, Courtney Hodder has electric skills and Lily Postlethwaite will return from an ACL injury to add more class to the already stacked Lions’ engine room.
Expected finish: 3rd
CARLTON
Captain: Kerryn Peterson
Coach: Daniel Harford
Ins: Phoebe McWilliams (Geelong), Amelia Velardo (Collingwood), Keeley Skepper (draft), Mia Austin (draft), Lily Goss (draft), Jessica Jones (draft)
Outs: Lauren Brazzale (Collingwood), Grace Egan (Richmond), Georgia Gee (Essendon), Courtney Jones (Gold Coast), Madison Prespakis (Essendon), Nicola Stevens (St Kilda), Charlotte Wilson (Melbourne)
Last season finish: 8th (4-6)
Star power: While the Blues have had some top names walk out the door – headlined by Madison Prespakis to the Bombers – there remain some stalwarts of the club and competition that continue to have a serious impact. Darcy Vescio remains one of the game’s most dangerous players buzzing around goal, while skipper Kerryn Peterson (nee Harrington) is solid as a rock in defence. Keep an eye out for rising star Mimi Hill to take her game
to a new level.
Rising stars: Mimi Hill, Imogen Milford and Serena Gibbs are all on the charge.
Expected finish: 7th
COLLINGWOOD
Captain: Steph Chiocci and Brianna Davey
Coach: Steve Symonds
Ins: Olivia Barber (Geelong), Charlotte Blair (draft) Lauren Brazzale (Carlton), Emily Smith (rookie), Charlotte Taylor (draft)
Outs: Sophie Alexander (Essendon), Aliesha Newman (Sydney), Ebony O’Dea (Port Adelaide), Imogen Purcell (delisted), Bella Smith (Sydney), Amelia Velardo (Carlton)
Last season finish: 6th (6-4)
Sidelined: Brittany Bonnici (knee), Brianna Davey (knee).
Star power: Where to begin with the Pies? They have so much experience in the likes of Chloe Molloy, Jaimee Lambert, Ruby Schleicher and Jaimee Lambert, plus Ash Brazill could be back. Look out.
Rising stars: Imogen Barnett was solid up forward in a practice match while ex-Cat Olivia Barber has shown she has a number of strings to her bow.
Expected finish: 6th
ESSENDON
Captain: Bonnie Toogood and Steph Cain
Coach: Natalie Wood
Ins: New team in season seven
Outs: New team in season seven
Sidelined: Georgia Nanscawen (ACL injury), Eloise Ashley-Cooper (foot).
Last season finish: New team in 2022
Star power: Arguably the biggest movers of the off-season with big names Maddy Prespakis, Bonnie Toogood, Steph Cain, Cat Phillips and Georgia Gee all moving into the Hangar. A dangerous combination.
Rising stars: Young gun Amber Clarke has proven her versatility at Under-18 level and is one of the youngest prospects in the game while Paige Scott’s aerial ability has raised eyebrows.
Expected finish: 12th
FREMANTLE
Captain: Hayley Miller
Coach: Trent Cooper
Ins: Nikki Gore (Adelaide), Megan Kauffman, Amy Mulholland, Tahlia Read, Madeleine Scanlon, Tara Stribley (draft)
Outs: Ann Mcmahon, Tiah Toth (delisted), Steph Cain (Essendon), Gemma Houghton, Maggie MacLauchlan (Port Adelaide), Sabreena Duffy (Melbourne), Jasmin Stewart (retired), Mikayla Morrison (Inactive/injury), Ashley Sharp (inactive list/maternity leave)
Last season finish: 5th
Star power: 2021’s joint W-Award winner Kiara Bowers continues to be among the league’s best midfielders with her tackling remaining a strong suit.
Rising stars: Having been on the Crows list since the 2019 season, Nikki Gore found a new home for herself in Adelaide’s defence, but should enjoy a move into the midfield in her new colours, while Emma O’Driscoll should only improve further after being named in the 22under22 team last season.
Expected finish: 4th
GEELONG
Captain: Meghan McDonald
Coach: Dan Lowther
Ins: Mikayla Bowen (West Coast), Ingrid Houtsma (Richmond), Abbey Mcdonald (draft) Jackie Parry (Melbourne), Brooke Plummer (draft), Shelley Scott (Melbourne), Mia Skinner (draft)
Outs: Olivia Barber (Collingwood), Millie Brown (Western Bulldogs), Danielle Higgins (retired), Jordan Ivey (Melbourne), Phoebe McWilliams (Carlton), Sophie Van De Heuvel (Essendon), Stephanie Williams (Richmond).
Sidelined: Samantha Gooden (knee), Maddy McMahon (personal reasons).
Last season finish: 12th (2-8)
Star power: Nina Morrison’s work at the contest is so valuable to the Cats while Darcy Moloney’s goalkicking will be a huge asset again.
Rising stars: Georgie Prespakis is said to have taken her game to a new level this season.
Expected finish: 11th
GOLD COAST
Captain: Tara Bohanna
Coach: Cameron Joyce
Ins: Fleur Davies, Alana Gee, Claire Ransom, Jasmyn Smith (draft), Ashlee Atkins (West Coast), Courtney Jones (Carlton), Tahlia Meyer (St Kilda), Gabrielle Biedenweg-Webster, Georgia Clayden, Krystal Scott (mature-age signings)
Outs: Hannah Dunn, Cheyenne Hammond, Britt Perry, Kate Surman, Jacqui Yorston (Port Adelaide), Janet Baird, Sarah Perkins (Hawthorn), Alana Barba, Dee Heslop (delisted), Maddi Levi, Teagan Levi (inactive list/other sport commitments), Jade Pregelj (inactive list/injury)
Last season finish: 10
Star power: Newly appointed captain Tara Bohanna will have to quickly adjust to the leadership role and help rebuild the side after the list saw significant turnover in the off-season. The big changes offer the likes of Jamie Stanton a chance to step up.
Rising stars: Former No.1 draft pick, Charlie Rowbottom, averaged 15 disposals in her debut season, and will continue to rise.
Expected finish: 13th
GWS GIANTS
Captain: Alicia Eva
Coach: Cam Bernasconi
Ins: Madison Brazendale (draft), Tess Cattle (draft), Fleur Davies (draft), Meghan Gaffney (draft), Jodie Hicks (draft), Isabel Huntington (Western Bulldogs), Cambridge McCormick (draft), Zarlie Goldsworthy (draft)
Outs: Libby Graham (Richmond), Erin Lorenzini (retired), Katie Loynes (retired), Erin McKinnon (St Kilda), Ally Morphett (Sydney), Rebecca Privitelli (Sydney), Lisa Steane (Sydney), Louise Stephenson (Hawthorn)
Sidelined: Isabel Huntington (knee), Emily Goodsir (maternity leave), Jessica Allan (work commitments), Isadora McLeay (knee).
Last season finish: 9th (4-6)
Star power: Alicia Eva just continues to be a force in the women’s game both on and off the field. Chloe Dalton proved another forward target alongside Cora Staunton in the practice match.
Rising stars: Draftee Zarlie Goldsworthy comes with big wraps out of the Riverina, but suffered a shoulder complaint that hindered her practice match. One to keep a very close eye on.
Expected finish: 9th
HAWTHORN
Captain: Tilly Lucas-Rodd
Coach: Bec Goddard
Ins: New club in season seven.
Outs: N/A
Last season finish: N/A
Star power: Has AFLW experience in the likes of Tilly Lucas-Rodd, Louise Stephenson, Kaitlyn Ashmore, Sarah Perkins, Aileen Gilroy, Jess Duffin and Kate McCarthy just to name a few, but had a heavy recruiting focus on its VFLW outfit as the Hawks prepare for their first season in the competition.
Rising stars: Keep a close eye on top draft picks Jasmine Fleming and Charlotte Baskaran. Will be ready to take on the competition – and finishing Year 12 – after blistering showings at Under-18 level.
Expected finish: 17th
MELBOURNE
Captain: Daisy Pearce
Coach: Mick Stinear
Ins: Jordan Ivey (Geelong), Charlotte Wilson (Carlton), Maeve Chaplin (draft), Samantha Johnson (draft), Georgia Gall (draft), Rhiannon Watt
Outs: Lauren Magee (stepping away), Jackie Parry (Geelong), Krstel Petrevski (West Coast), Shelley Scott (Geelong), Isabella Simmons (West Coast), Brenna Tarrant (Sydney), Eliza McNamara (injury)
Last season finish: 2nd (9-1)
Star power: After a grand final appearance earlier this year, the Demons have retained the majority of their list and will be determined to avenge their premiership defeat at the hands of Adelaide. Skipper and superstar Daisy Pearce remains a formidable force up forward after she elected to play on for at least another season, while Tayla Harris delivered an All-Australian season in attack. Karen Paxman remains a star ball-winner, with Libby Birch stoic in defence.
Rising stars: Alyssa Bannan was recognised with a rising star nomination last season for her work on the wing and will be one to watch. An impact player with the speed to match.
Expected finish: 2nd
NORTH MELBOURNE
Captain: Emma Kearney
Coach: Darren Crocker
Ins: Erika O’Shea (Ireland), Vikki Wall (Ireland), Zoe Savarirayan (rookie), Taylah Gatt (draft), Sophia McCarthy (draft), Charli Granville (draft), Grace Matser (draft), Cassidy Mailer (draft)
Outs: Kaitlyn Ashmore (Hawthorn), Daria Bannister (Essendon), Daisy Bateman (Western Bulldogs), Jessica Duffin (Hawthorn), Aileen Gilroy (Hawthorn), Lexi Hamilton (Sydney)
Last season finish: 4th (7-3)
Star power: Captain Emma Kearney added a sixth All-Australian guernsey to her collection earlier this year after moving into a more defensive role, while prolific ballwinner Ash Riddell shunned expansion interest to remain at Arden Street. Jasmine Garner also remains one of the game’s best in attack.
Rising stars: Vikki Wall and Erika O’Shea are exciting prospects who come from Ireland with big wraps. Isabella Eddey – a rising star nominee from earlier this year – is another exciting prospect.
Expected finish: 5th
PORT ADELAIDE
Captain: Erin Phillips
Coach: Lauren Arnell
Ins: New team in season seven
Outs: N/A
Last season finish: N/A
Star power: The AFLW’s most decorated player Erin Phillips has overcome off-season knee surgery in time to lead out the side she grew up supporting in round 1, and should tag-team beautifully with Gemma Houghton in Port’s forward line.
Rising stars: The standout South Australian draftee, midfielder Hannah Ewings, has been compared with Richmond star Dustin Martin, and ex-Brisbane defender Indy Tahau will be Port’s key defender.
Expected finish: 15th
RICHMOND
Captain: Katie Brennan
Coach: Ryan Ferguson
Ins: Grace Egan (Carlton), Libby Graham (GWS), Stephanie Williams (Geelong), Charley Ryan (draft), Eilish Sheerin (draft), Katelyn Cox (draft)
Outs: Christina Bernardi (delisted), Sarah Dargan (Sydney), Iilish Ross (delisted), Ingrid Houtsma (Geelong), Akec Makur Chuot (Hawthorn), Hannah McLaren (delisted), Sarah Sansonetti (delisted)
Last season finish: 11th (3-7)
Star power: Monique Conti continues to lead the charge for the Tigers after another stellar season, having turned her full focus to AFLW. Skipper Katie Brennan also remains among the competition’s best forwards after another All-Australian gong. Cross-coder Tessa Lavey continues to impress, as do the Hosking twins – Sarah and Jess – who are entering their sixth season.
Rising stars: Emilia Yassir looked at home in her first season and should only get stronger, while Meg Macdonald impressed in her first season at the top level.
Expected finish: 10th
ST KILDA
Captain: Hannah Priest
Coach: Nick Dal Santo
Ins: J’Noemi Anderson (draft), Clara Fitzpatrick (delisted free agent), Grace Kelly (West Coast), Deanna Jolliffe (draft), Caitlin Matthews (draft) Erin McKinnon (GWS), Nicola Stevens (Carlton), Hannah Stuart (draft).
Outs: Tilly Lucas-Rodd (Hawthorn), Kate McCarthy (delisted), Tahlia Meyer (delisted), Catherine Phillips (Essendon), Paige Price (delisted), Isabella Shannon (stepping away), Jacqui Vogt (Essendon), Rhiannon Watt (delisted), Alana Woodward (delisted).
Sidelined: Leah Cutting (work commitments)
Last season finish: 13th (2-8)
Star power: Dual best-and-fairest winner Georgia Patrikios returns after sitting out last season over the league’s vaccination rules, and will provide a huge midfield boost. Nicola Stevens, Hannah Priest, Bianca Jakobsson and Erin McKinnon are other key Saints.
Rising stars: Nicola Xenos, Tarni White, Alice Burke and Molly McDonald lead St Kilda’s younger brigade.
Expected finish: 14th
SYDNEY
Captain: Maddy Collier
Coach: Scott Gowans
Ins: New team in season seven
Outs: N/A
Last season finish: N/A
Star power: Courted a number of top AFLW names before landing premiership Bulldog Brooke Lochland, ex-Demon Brenna Tarrant, former Roo Lexi Hamilton and Bec Privitelli and Ally Morphett from across town at the Giants as some of their AFLW-experienced players. Aliesha Newman also joins the new outfit after playing at Collingwood and Melbourne. Had the top draft pick and managed to snag top Victorian talent Montana Ham, who nominated NSW as her destination of choice.
Rising stars: Tough to go past Montana Ham as the No.1 draft pick. She’ll divide her time between finishing school in Victoria and the Harbour City, while midfielder Sofia Hurley also comes with handy talent.
Expected finish: 18th
WEST COAST
Captain: Emma Swanson
Coach: Michael Prior
Ins: Abbygail Bushby, Jaide Britton, Emily Elkington, Ella Roberts, Mikayla Western, Lauren Wakfer, Zoe Wakfer (draft), Jess Sedunary (Adelaide), Krstel Petrevski, Isabella Simmons (Melbourne), Kate Bartlett, Sasha Goranova, Ella Smith (WAFLW)
Outs: Ashlee Atkins, Lauren Gauci (delisted), Mikayla Bowen (Geelong), Niamh Kelly, Amber Ward (Adelaide), Maddy Collier (Sydney), Grace Kelly (St Kilda), Tayla Besland, Mellissa Caulfield, Andrea Gilmore, Courtney Guard, Parris Laurie (retired)
Last season finish: 14th (1-9)
Star power: Long-term captain Emma Swanson and her deputy Dana Hooker remain the Eagles stars and leading lights for the team that is looking to improve after being wooden spooners in season six.
Rising stars: Ella Roberts is yet to turn 18, but is noted for her level head and maturity beyond her years. She could debut quickly for the Eagles, while former Crows Jessica Sedunary should add class into the midfield early on.
Expected finish: 16th
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Captain: Ellie Blackburn
Coach: Nathan Burke
Ins: Daisy Bateman (North Melbourne), Millie Brown (Geelong), Rylie Wilcox (draft), Keeley Coyne (draft), Heidi Woodley (draft), Brooke Vernon (draft)
Outs: Ellyse Gamble (Essendon), Ashleigh Guest (retired), Isabel Huntington (GWS), Brooke Lochland (Sydney), Hannah Scott (retired), Bonnie Toogood (Essendon)
Last season finish: 7th (4-5-1)
Star power: Skipper Ellie Blackburn turned her back on significant offers from expansion rivals including Sydney with an eye to chasing a second premiership at the kennel. Kirsty Lamb remains dominant alongside her in the midfield in one of the competition’s strongest one-two punches.
Rising stars: All four draftees – including Brooke Vernon from the Blues – will be ready to play if required, while young gun Isabella Grant looks to have settled and will develop in defence.
Expected finish: 8th
OUR PREDICTED LADDER
1. Adelaide
2. Melbourne
3, Brisbane
4. Fremantle
5. North Melbourne
6. Collingwood
7. Carlton
8. Western Bulldogs
9. GWS Giants
10. Richmond
11. Geelong
12. Essendon
13. Gold Coast
14. St Kilda
15. Port Adelaide
16. West Coast
17. Hawthorn
18. Sydney
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Originally published as AFLW teams and tips: Round 1 teams and predictions for every match from our expert tipsters