AFLW 2025: The pre-season standouts, big magnet moves at every club
Position changes, injury news and the draftees who will change the AFLW – this is your one-stop shop for all the latest pre-season intel ahead of season 10.
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They were kept off the track until mid-May under the league’s contentious “blackout period” rule, but the 18 AFLW teams have wasted no time with gruelling pre-season campaigns leading into the competition’s 10th season.
From Whitten Oval to Casey Fields, from Mineral Resources Park to Brighton Homes Arena, Ed Bourke has scoured the land for the latest intel on the standout trainers, key magnet moves and draftees pushing for an immediate debut when the AFLW kicks off on August 14.
ADELAIDE
MAGNET MOVES: Speedy defender Sarah Goodwin has been training with the midfield group and is likely to be injected into the Crows’ regular on-ball rotation during the season. Maddi Newman had an excellent season on the wing last year but could spend more time forward, with Teah Charlton training on the wing over the pre-season.
TURNING HEADS: The Crows have been thrilled with Grace Kelly’s application in her first off-season at West Lakes after she moved to join her sister, Niamh, in a three-way trade from St Kilda. The 31-year-old Irishwoman is set to rotate between halfback and a wing. Returning to the game after a year on the inactive list at Port Adelaide, Hannah Ewings is still building back to full fitness but has not missed a single pre-season session.
DEBUT WATCH: Irish recruit Kayleigh Cronin could play straight away – a powerful 181cm key defender who has been swung through the ruck at times during match simulation. Cronin, 28, was brought in by the Crows with the view she could immediately contribute to their backline.
No. 13 pick India Rasheed has impressed and is in line for an early season debut as a dangerous left-footed forward who has also been learning the wing role.
MEDICAL ROOM: Experienced forward Eloise Jones has recovered strongly after she snapped her achilles in round 3 last season, and is set to feature in both the Crows’ pre-season games.
Draftee Georgia McKee ruptured her left ACL in an innocuous incident during a skills session in June and was replaced on the list by Woodville-West Torrens star Christina Leuzzi.
LIST CHANGES: IN Hannah Ewings (Port Adelaide/inactive), Grace Kelly (St Kilda), Georgia McKee, India Rasheed (draft), Kayleigh Cronin (Ireland), Christina Leuzzi (injury replacement) OUT Deni Varnhagen (retired), Najwa Allen (Hawthorn), Taylah Levy (GWS), Tamara Henry, Jess Waterhouse (delisted)
PRACTICE GAMES: vs. Port Adelaide at Alberton Oval, July 26, vs. Melbourne at Unley Oval, August 3.
BRISBANE
MAGNET MOVES: After a few busy off-seasons, the Lions only turned over three list spots and it appears they won’t deviate much from how they looked on-field in 2024. 23-year-old Irish recruit Neasa Dooley could inject some leg speed across half-forward after she caught the eye of coach Craig Starcevich on a trip to Ireland last year.
TURNING HEADS: The Lions are thrilled with the off-season efforts from the middle bracket of their list, where they believe most of the improvement can come to continue challenging North Melbourne. Defender Lily Postlethwaite, 23 and forward Ellie Hampson, 24, are among a large group that have been impressing on the track.
DEBUT WATCH: Along with Dooley, draftee Claudia Wright has put her hand up to feature early in the season after the Lions scooped up the West Australian right-footer with pick 16.
Wright could get an early opportunity at halfback.
MEDICAL ROOM: Lions academy recruit Lilly Baker has had the only notable injury setback over the pre-season with a foot issue that required surgery.
LIST CHANGES: IN Claudia Wright, Lilly Baker (draft), Neasa Dooley (Ireland). OUT Kate Lutkins, Jade Pregelj (retired), Luka Yoshida-Martin (delisted)
PRACTICE GAMES: vs. Gold Coast at Brighton Homes Arena, July 25, vs. Sydney at Brighton Homes Arena, August 2
CARLTON
MAGNET MOVES: Darcy Vescio spent a bit of time at halfback in 2023, and coach Mathew Buck is thinking about revisiting that experiment with the Blues’ inaugural star this season.
Vescio’s move would allow vice-captain Mimi Hill to spend more time on the ball after significant minutes playing as a rebounding defender last season.
TURNING HEADS: Yasmin Duursma only broke through for three senior games in her first season at Princes Park but has generated some excitement internally with her strong ball use across halfback and on the wing.
Reigning best and fairest Keeley Sherar has smashed already-lofty expectations with her pre-season running, with strong competition on the track from Irish duo Dayna Finn and Erone Fitzpatrick.
DEBUT WATCH: Father-daughter recruit Sophie McKay is among a fleet of younger players on the Blues’ list competing for mid-forward roles. The 19-year-old would help add an extra dimension to the Carlton forward line with her speed and goal sense.
MEDICAL ROOM: Athletic forward Fitzpatrick is raring to go after missing all of 2024 with the ACL injury she suffered at the end of her debut season. Fellow Irishwoman Maria Cannon had off-season wrist surgery and is not expected to be available for the season opener, but the Blues hope she will enter calculations early in the campaign. Recently signed VFLW captain Eliza Wood suffered a devastating ACL injury last week and is set to be moved to the inactive list.
LIST CHANGES: IN Tara Bohanna (Gold Coast), Lou Field, Sophie McKay, Poppy Scholz (draft), Aisling Reidy, Siofra O’Connell, Maria Cannon (Ireland), Madison Torpey (injury replacement) OUT Jess Dal Pos, Celine Moody (retired), Marianna Anthony, Lulu Beatty, Jade Halfpenny, Gen Lawson-Tavan, Taylor Ortlepp, Tahlia Read (delisted), Kerryn Peterson (inactive), Tarni Brown (inactive)
PRACTICE GAMES: vs. Richmond at Ikon Park, July 25, vs. GWS at Blacktown ISP, August 2
COLLINGWOOD
MAGNET MOVES: After languishing down the bottom of the ladder last season, Collingwood is preparing to unleash a physically intimidating midfield group this season with new captain Ruby Schleicher set to continue in a full-time role on the ball. Hawks recruit Mattea Breed will also play through the middle along with bursts from No. 1 pick Ash Centra, who is set to spend significant periods of time forward. Lauren Butler will settle back in defence after she was thrown forward out of necessity last year.
TURNING HEADS: Fremantle recruit Airlie Runnalls has impressed the Pies with her high training standards and is set to slot in on a wing, where she spent most of her time at the Dockers. Former vice-captain Britt Bonnici is also having a fantastic pre-season after opting to give up her leadership role to focus on her own football.
DEBUT WATCH: Draftees Georgia Knight and Violet Patterson are both in the frame to join Centra in the side early in the season as highly-skilled prospects who could play across half-forward or higher up the ground.
MEDICAL ROOM: Former captain Bri Davey is still in the rehab group after she was sidelined midway through last season with bone stress in her left leg. Various setbacks including a foot issue have prevented Davey from getting back into full training, but the Pies hope to see her early in the season. All-Australian forward Kalinda Howarth is ready to go after sitting out 2024 with the ACL injury she suffered at Gold Coast.
LIST CHANGES:IN Mattea Breed (Hawthorn), Airlie Runnalls (Fremantle), Ash Centra, Georgia Knight, Violet Patterson (draft), Kellyann Hogan (Ireland) OUT Stacey Livingstone, Aishling Sheridan (retired), Charlotte Blair, Lauren Brazzale, Imogen Evans, Erica Fowler, Eleri Morris, Sarah Sansonetti (delisted)
PRACTICE GAMES: vs. Essendon at Windy Hill, July 26, vs. Port Adelaide at Alberton Oval, August 3
ESSENDON
MAGNET MOVES: Matilda Dyke appears to be slightly ahead in the battle for the No. 1 ruck spot from former Brisbane and GWS tall Courtney Murphy. Reigning best and fairest Maddi Gay and 2024 breakout star Amy Gaylor will both roll through a deeper midfield group including a host of new recruits.
TURNING HEADS: Sophie Strong and Grace Brooker have both earnt plaudits for their forward pressure during early match sim sessions for he Bombers. The biggest obstacle in the way of coach Nat Wood taking her side to the finals for a third consecutive year could be the need to replace dynamic forwards Paige Scott (Richmond) and Amber Clarke (St Kilda).
DEBUT WATCH: Strong, Brooker and No. 9 pick Grace Belloni are all set to feature early in the season. Belloni is a great overhead mark and potential foil to co-captain Bonnie Toogood in attack, but spent her draft year mostly playing as an inside midfielder. Brooker, 26, is a professional rugby union player who has played 35 games for the All-Blacks, and how she fares in her first season could revolutionise AFLW recruiting.
MEDICAL ROOM: Steph Wales returned to running in February after she tore her ACL in the drawn Dreamtime clash against Richmond late last season. The first-choice Bombers ruck will press for a return later in the home and away campaign.
LIST CHANGES: IN Grace Belloni, Taya Chambers, Holly Ridewood, Sophie Strong (draft), Grace Brooker (NZ), Maggie MacLachlan, Jess Verbrugge (replacement) OUTAmber Clarke (St Kilda), Ash Van Loon (Sydney), Kodi Jacques, Jacqui Vogt, Lily-Rose Williamson (delisted), Paige Scott (Richmond), Emily Gough (inactive), Bess Keaney (inactive), Amelia Radford (inactive)
PRACTICE GAMES: vs. Collingwood at Windy Hill, July 26, vs. North Melbourne at Avalon Airport Oval, August 2
FREMANTLE
MAGNET MOVES: Like many other sides this pre-season, the Dockers have focused heavily on developing their players in a second role so they can be more flexible in games. The door is open for Ange Stannett to play anywhere after missing 2024 with an ACL injury – the returning skipper has played across all three lines in match sim. Vice-captain Hayley Miller is likely to spend more time as a forward.
TURNING HEADS: Former No. 1 pick Gabby Newton is thriving in her first full pre-season as a Docker and could help the midfield reach a new level in 2025. Experienced midfielder-forward Megan Kauffman has enjoyed her best off-season to date, while defender Sarah Verrier has also impressed with her improved fitness.
DEBUT WATCH: Elite hockey talent Tilly Banfield has had a couple of injury niggles but will enter the selection frame early in her first season, potentially as a high half-forward or winger with her outstanding running capacity. Banfield is the niece of West Coast premiership player Drew.
MEDICAL ROOM: Sydney recruit Bella Smith has had a heavily interrupted pre-season so far, but the Dockers are confident the exciting key forward will be ready to go for their season opener against Port Adelaide even if she misses the practice games.
LIST CHANGES: IN Bella Smith (Sydney), Georgie Brisbane, Holly Egan, Evie Parker, Indi Strom (draft), Matilda Banfield (hockey), Poppy Stockwell (replacement) OUT Ariana Hetherington (North Melbourne), Airlie Runnalls (Collingwood), Jae Flynn, Serena Gibbs, Tahleah Mulder, Tara Stribley, Makaela Tuhakaraina (delisted), Ebony Antonio (inactive), Mikayla Morrison (retired)
PRACTICE GAMES: vs. West Coast at Cockburn, July 26, vs. St Kilda at Cockburn, August 2
GEELONG
MAGNET MOVES: Star midfielder Georgie Prespakis has been touted to spend some time rotating across halfback after the Cats explored the move in the last pre-season but were unable to follow through due to injuries. Gabby Featherston will be able to settle into a forward role after battling bravely as an undersized ruck for the Cats last season.
TURNING HEADS: Prespakis is having an outstanding pre-season after she battled soft tissue injuries through the early part of 2024. Nina Morrison and Julia Crockett-Grills have also set a high standard on the track, while teenager Bryde O’Rourke only played one game in her debut season but has put her hand up for more opportunities as an outside runner. Irishwoman Kate Kenny has also impressed her teammates ahead of her second season.
DEBUT WATCH: No. 10 pick Alexis Gregor has not missed a session and is in the selection frame for both key defensive and forward roles. SANFLW replacement player Emma Kilpatrick has impressed with her footy smarts and toughness and will be looked at for half-forward and wing roles. New ruck recruits Caitie Tipping, a volleyballer, and draftee Piper Dunlop are competing with former Pie Erica Fowler for a round 1 spot.
MEDICAL ROOM: Draftee Sienna Tallariti hurt her ankle early in the pre-season but will push for an early-season debut across halfback. Tipping has been dealing with a knee issue but the Cats have no major concerns.
LIST CHANGES: IN Piper Dunlop, Alexis Gregor, Sienna Tallariti (draft), Erica Fowler, Emma Kilpatrick (replacement player), Caitie Tipping (volleyball) OUT Darcy Moloney (Sydney), Olivia Fuller, Abbey McDonald, Lilly Pearce, Brooke Plummer (delisted), Anna-Rose Kennedy (inactive), Chantel Emonson (inactive)
PRACTICE GAMES: vs. St Kilda at Moorabbin, July 26, vs. Gold Coast at People First Stadium, August 2
GOLD COAST
MAGNET MOVES: Annabel Kievit played predominantly on the wing in her debut season, but new coach Rhyce Shaw likes the look of the 19-year-old as a medium-sized forward with her aerial ability and speed. Melbourne premiership player Lily Mithen is likely to slot into a similar high half-forward role to what she played at the Demons, with forward pressure a key focus for the Suns in 2025.
TURNING HEADS: Some of the Suns’ biggest talents have been able to put together uninterrupted pre-seasons. New co-captain Niamh McLaughlin has excelled in her first full off-season in Australia, while Maddy Brancatisano has put together a huge campaign to significantly increase her running capacity. There is firm belief the other new skipper, Lucy Single, has set herself up to reach a new level this season in the midfield.
DEBUT WATCH: Gold Coast’s bumper five-player academy crop could all get opportunities in 2025, but the clear standout is Havana Harris, who will play straight away as a key forward.
Expect to see Harris in the ruck or up around the ball if she’s being starved of supply.
MEDICAL ROOM: Daisy D’Arcy’s ACL injury was a hammer blow at the end of a season ruined by injury in 2024, and the Suns will wait until 2026 to bring back their young gun. Otherwise they have a healthy list leading into their season opener.
LIST CHANGES: IN Lily Mithen (Melbourne), Tara Harrington, Havana Harris, Nyalli Milne, Mia Salisbury, Heidi Talbot (draft), Ellie Veerhuis (replacement player) OUT Tara Bohanna (Carlton), Ashanti Bush, Alana Gee, Jordan Membrey, Lauren McConville, Cara McCrossan, Vivien Saad (delisted), Daisy D’Arcy (inactive)
PRACTICE GAMES: vs. Brisbane at Brighton Homes Arena, July 25, vs. Geelong at People First Stadium, August 2
GWS GIANTS
MAGNET MOVES: Expect plenty of change at GWS with more than half the playing list turned over in the past two off-seasons. Tarni Evans was swung into attack last season and has put a full pre-season under her belt as a key forward, while Izzy Huntington has been able to do the same as a key defender. Former top 10 pick Eleanor Brown, who has sat out the last two seasons due to personal reasons, is ready to resume in a key defensive post after leaving the Western Bulldogs.
TURNING HEADS: Brown has been excellent in her first pre-season at the Giants, while midfielder Kaitlyn Srhoj has starred in the practice games as she prepares for her second campaign.
DEBUT WATCH: The Giants are toying with the idea of combining new Irish recruit Grace Kos with Eilish O’Dowd in a high-octane ruck rotation. Draftees Grace Martin and Sara Howley are likely to both feature early across halfback.
MEDICAL ROOM: Gold Coast recruit Vivien Saad is set to be available for the Giants’ practice matches after she ruptured her achilles during a training session early last season. Daisy Walker should also be available for a club debut by round 1 as she works her way back from the ACL injury she suffered 12 months ago.
LIST CHANGES: IN Eleanor Brown (Western Bulldogs), Taylah Levy (Adelaide), Sara Howley, Grace Martin (draft), Grace Kos (Ireland), Vivien Saad, Sophie Kavanagh, Caitlin Fletcher (injury replacement) OUT Annise Bradfield, Pepa Randall (retired), Nicola Barr (St Kilda), Courtney Murphy (Essendon), Jasmine Grierson, Caitlin Miller, Jemma Ramsdale (delisted), Meghan Gaffney (inactive), Haneen Zreika (inactive)
PRACTICE GAMES: vs. Sydney Swans at Sydney Olympic Park, July 25, vs. Carlton at Blacktown, August 2
HAWTHORN
MAGNET MOVES: Dan Webster spun the magnets in his first year as Hawthorn coach but now is likely to settle players down into familiar roles. Casey Sherriff could fill the hole left by Mattea Breed in the midfield after starting last season in the engine room before she broke her leg in round 2. Laura Stone, the first-year forward who booted three goals in the epic shootout against Geelong, will spend more time in the middle in her second season.
TURNING HEADS: Veterans Kaitlyn Ashmore and Greta Bodey have been driving standards on the track at Waverley Park, while vice-captain Eliza West has also put together a superb pre-season campaign after making her first All-Australian squad last year.
DEBUT WATCH: It’s a tough team to break into, but midfielder Lavinia Cox and defender Grace Baba have not put a foot wrong since they were drafted at the end of last year. Second-year prospect Hayley McLaughlin lost her spot in the side before the finals but has put herself in a strong position to establish herself this season.
MEDICAL ROOM: Hamstring and ankle injuries spoilt Kristy Stratton’s second season at Hawthorn, and a complex hamstring issue is set to keep the forward out until the middle of the season.
LIST CHANGES: IN Najwa Allen (Adelaide), Keely Coyne (Western Bulldogs), Grace Baba, Rebecca Clottey, Lavinia Cox, Daisy Flockart, Elli Symonds (draft) OUT Charlotte Baskaran (St Kilda), Mattea Breed (Collingwood), Lou Stephenson (Western Bulldogs), Bridget Deed, Casey Dumont, Sophie Locke, Tahlia Fellows (delisted)
PRACTICE GAMES: vs. Melbourne at Casey Fields, July 26, vs. Richmond at Ikon Park, August 3
MELBOURNE
MAGNET MOVES: Coach Mick Stinear’s Swiss Army knife Sarah Lampard will settle into a full-time defensive role in 2025 to bolster the Demons’ leadership stocks behind the ball. Shelley Heath has ventured into the midfield previously in tagging roles but is set to be given a licence to hunt the footy as a more permanent on-baller this season. Captain Kate Hore’s mid-forward split is likely to skew more towards the midfield with Tayla Harris set to return as a target in attack.
TURNING HEADS: Harris has moved on from a turbulent 2024 trade period with a superb pre-season and has pushed herself to increase her running capacity as she returns to her previous forward-ruck role. Eliza McNamara and Maeve Chaplin have again enjoyed strong pre-seasons along with Tahlia Gillard and Megan Fitzsimon.
DEBUT WATCH: No. 3 pick Molly O’Hehir looks ready to go as an intercept defender who has a nice natural balance in her game between offence and defence. Second-round selection Maggie Mahony is also on track for an early debut across half-forward, in a role where the Demons struggled to find a consistent contributor in 2024.
MEDICAL ROOM: Experienced defender Gabby Colvin suffered a medial ligament strain earlier this month and will not feature until September. Strong inside midfielder Grace Beasley could play in the back half of the season after hurting her ACL in just her third game last year.
LIST CHANGES: IN Molly O’Hehir, Maggie Mahony, Amelia Dethridge (draft), Laela Ebert (injury replacement) OUT Rhi Watt (retired), Lily Mithen (Gold Coast), Grace Hill, Delany Madigan (delisted), Aimee Mackin, Jacinta Hose (inactive)
PRACTICE GAMES: vs. Hawthorn at Casey Fields, July 26, vs. Adelaide at Unley Oval, August 2
NORTH MELBOURNE
MAGNET MOVES: The reigning premiers are set to make a few tweaks including slightly more forward time for superstar captain Jasmine Garner as they try to expose the next crop of midfielders. Bella Eddey will be one of the players to find more midfield time, while Taylah Gatt and Tess Craven are both set to move from the wing to high half-forward roles. Key forward Kate Shierlaw has been working on her ruck craft, while fringe defender Eliza Shannon is training as a forward.
TURNING HEADS: Steal of the century Eilish Sheerin has slotted in seamlessly at Arden Street, with the former Tiger spending time at halfback to learn the Roos’ defensive system but also likely to feature on a wing. Erika O’Shea is also enjoying a move up the ground to the wing. Craven, Kim Rennie and vice-captain Ash Riddell all smashed their 1500m PBs when they came back from the off-season.
DEBUT WATCH: Fremantle recruit Ariana Hetherington is being considered for an early club debut in a ruck-forward role, while VFLW pick-up Tessa Boyd has looked comfortable in defence and will put pressure on the premiership backs. Irishwoman Blaithin Bogue should get a chance at some stage in the forward line after a strong second pre-season.
MEDICAL ROOM: Forward-ruck Emma King has battled ankle and hamstring issues over the pre-season and is racing the clock to be fit for round 1 against Geelong.
LIST CHANGES: IN Ariana Hetherington (Fremantle), Eilish Sheerin (Richmond), Amy Gavin Mangan, Claire Mahony (draft), Tessa Boyd (replacement player) OUT Liz McGrath (West Coast), Lulu Pullar (Sydney), Lucy Burke, Sophie Kavanagh, Zoe Savarirayan (delisted), Niamh Martin (inactive)
PRACTICE GAMES: vs. Western Bulldogs at Whitten Oval, July 25, vs. Essendon at Avalon Airport Oval, August 2
PORT ADELAIDE
MAGNET MOVES: Sachi Syme played all over the ground in 2024 but is likely to settle in a defensive role in her fourth season at the Power. Prolific forward Ashleigh Woodland is set to spend more time rotating through the middle. Olivia Levicki’s surprise retirement to switch back to basketball has left coach Lauren Arnell searching for another option to support Matilda Scholz, with athletic second-year tall Alissa Brook potentially the answer.
TURNING HEADS: Exciting young quartet Scholz, Shineah Goody, Julia Teakle and Amelie Borg are showing no signs of complacency after being integral to the Power’s run to a preliminary final last season. Swans recruit Ella Heads has been training strongly as an intercept defender.
DEBUT WATCH: Draftees Lily Paterson and Jasmine Sowden could make a young side even younger after putting together strong campaigns. Paterson is battling for a spot in a deep midfield, while Sowden has put her hand up to fill a small forward role with excellent skills on both sides of her body.
MEDICAL ROOM: Port Adelaide’s depth could be tested early in the season: Indy Tahau (knee), Jasmine Evans (shin) and Kirsty Lamb (foot) are all in the frame for round 1, while former captain Janelle Cuthbertson and Lauren Young are expected back from their ACL injuries before the halfway mark of the season. Cheyenne Hammond has a similar recovery target after a foot fracture during pre-season training. The Power have left the door open for draftee Jemma Charity to return from her ACL injury in the back end of the season.
LIST CHANGES: IN Ella Heads (Sydney), Jemma Charity, Jasmine Evans, Chloe Gaunt, Lily Paterson, Jasmine Sowden (draft) OUT Hannah Dunn, Ange Foley, Maddy Keryk, Olivia Levicki (retired), Hannah Ewings (Adelaide), Alex Ballard, Jo Miller, Jasmine Simmons (delisted), Georgie Jaques (self-delisted)
PRACTICE GAMES: vs. Adelaide at Alberton, July 26, vs. Collingwood at Alberton, August 3
RICHMOND
MAGNET MOVES: Isabel Bacon will move into the midfield after playing in defence last year during an impressive debut campaign where she managed to play 11 of 12 games. Laura McClelland was needed forward and in the ruck last season but will return to defence, where she will be joined by Katelyn Cox as she returns from an ACL injury.
TURNING HEADS: Cox won the Tigers’ first six-minute run of the pre-season in a telling return after dedicating herself to rehab over the last 12 months. Injury replacement players Lulu Beatty and Lauren Brazzale are working hard to make the most of their opportunities after being delisted by Carlton and Collingwood respectively.
DEBUT WATCH: Sierra Greaves, who was taken with the Tigers’ first selection at pick 11, has been putting her hand up for an inside midfield role but missed last week’s intraclub game due to illness. She will get a chance to put her hand up for a debut in the practice games along with Gaelic football star Aoibhin (pronounced Ay-vin) Cleary.
MEDICAL ROOM: Montana McKinnon (ACL) is pushing to get back early in the season after she went down in match simulation on the eve of last season. Sarah Hosking (hamstring) was unavailable for last week’s intraclub game with doubt over her round 1 availability.
LIST CHANGES: IN Montana Beruldsen (Sydney), Aoibhin Cleary (Ireland), Sierra Grieves, Zoe Hargreaves, Paige Scott (draft), Lauren Brazzale (Collingwood), Lulu Beatty (Carlton) OUT Tamara Luke (retired), Imogen Brown (Sydney), Eilish Sheerin (North Melbourne), Molly Eastman, Courtney Jones, Amelia Peck, Stella Reid, Jemima Woods (delisted), Zoe Hargreaves (inactive), Charley Ryan (inactive)
PRACTICE GAMES: vs. Carlton at Ikon Park, July 25, vs. Hawthorn at Ikon Park, August 3
ST KILDA
MAGNET MOVES: Simone Nalder’s retirement and Emmelie Fiedler’s ACL injury means the Saints are getting creative in the ruck, exploring a switch for 30-year-old defender and former Melbourne Boomers basketballer Rebecca Ott. Ella Friend went forward to help Jesse Wardlaw as a tall target last season but is poised to return to defence where she began her AFLW career.
TURNING HEADS: The usual suspects are all tearing up the track at Moorabbin – Wardlaw, Jaimee Lambert and Hannah Priest leading the way. The Saints are bullish about J’Noemi Anderson taking her game to a new level as a midfielder-forward in her fourth season. Key defender Paige Trudgeon is also tracking strongly after playing every game in her first year at the club.
DEBUT WATCH: The Saints’ recruits from other clubs are all in the frame to play in round 1, while draftees Zoe Besanko and Kyla Forbes have impressed with their high training standards and commitment to learning multiple roles. Both are expected to come into consideration for the season opener.
MEDICAL ROOM: Former Gold Coast Sun Alana Gee tore her ACL at training early last season and is pushing for a mid-season return. Young forward Amber Clarke had a nasty run of injuries at Essendon last year but has been training strongly this winter.
LIST CHANGES: IN Nicola Barr (GWS), Charlotte Baskaran (Hawthorn), Amber Clarke (Essendon), Zoe Besanko, Kyla Forbes, Alana Gee (draft), Lilu Hung (injury replacement) OUT Steph Chiocci, Simone Nalder, Kiera Whiley (retired), Grace Kelly (Adelaide), Maddie Boyd, Nat Exon, Caitlin Matthews, Beth Pinchin (delisted), Emmelie Fiedler (inactive)
PRACTICE GAMES: vs. Geelong at RSEA Park, July 26, vs. Fremantle at Cockburn, August 2
SYDNEY
MAGNET MOVES: There’s plenty of opportunity at the Swans with 11 departures from the 2024 playing list. Co-captain Lucy McEvoy will be used at half-forward after playing more in the back half last year. That change has been enabled by the arrival of Essendon recruit Ash Van Loon, who will continue as an intercept defender.
TURNING HEADS: Star forward Chloe Molloy has worked hard to be fit for the start of the season after her nightmare ACL injury last year. Lara Hausegger has come on in spades and looks set for midfield time after six games in defence in her debut season.
DEBUT WATCH: Zippy Fish will play straight away off halfback after the Swans were able to pick her up at No. 5 in last year’s draft. Swans academy draftee Amelia Martin is a beautiful kick who is on track for early opportunities up forward.
MEDICAL ROOM: All-Australian ruck Ally Morphett is back up and running after a foot injury kept her to just three games in 2024. Kangaroos recruit Lulu Pullar has had an interrupted pre-season but should be available in round 1, while it is hoped Imogen Brown (foot) and Cynthia Hamilton (knee) will also be ready for the opener.
LIST CHANGES: IN Imogen Brown (Richmond), Darcy Moloney (Geelong), Lulu Pullar (North Melbourne), Ashleigh Van Loon (Essendon), Jasmine Grierson (GWS), Zippy Fish, Amelia Martin, Caitlin Reid, Sarah Steele-Park (draft) OUT Hayley Bullas, Brooke Lochland, Alana Woodward (retired), Montana Beruldsen (Richmond), Ella Heads (Port Adelaide), Bella Smith (Fremantle), Paige Sheppard, Lisa Steane, Lauren Szigeti, Eliza Vale, Aimee Whelan (delisted)
PRACTICE GAMES: vs. GWS at Sydney Olympic Park, July 25, vs. Brisbane at Brighton Homes Arena, August 2
WEST COAST
MAGNET MOVES: Inaugural Eagles skipper Emma Swanson will step out of the midfield to halfback, where she finished last season. Dual All-Australian Dana Hooker is back in 2025 after welcoming her second daughter, Zara in December, and will play on a wing.
TURNING HEADS: North Melbourne recruit Liz McGrath is in a tight battle with Sarah Lakay for the No. 1 ruck spot. Mikayla Western and Jaide Britton were the standouts through the middle in the Eagles’ intraclub match last week, while defender Annabel Johnson made a strong return in that game on managed minutes after suffering an ACL injury in the 2024 pre-season.
DEBUT WATCH: Draftees Charlotte Riggs and Lucy Boyd could both be part of coach Daisy Pearce’s immediate plans for the backline after outstanding debut pre-seasons, while Lucia Painter is staking a claim for a midfield spot and Kayla Dalgleish is in the frame as a small forward.
MEDICAL ROOM: Replacement player Courtney Lindgren has a fractured finger and is yet to return to full training, but should be available in the early rounds. The Eagles still have a list spot available after Jess Hosking quit the club.
LIST CHANGES: IN Liz McGrath (North Melbourne), Lucy Boyd, Kayla Dalgleish, Lucia Painter, Charlotte Riggs (draft) OUT Evie Gooch (retired), Octavia Di Donato, Emily Elkington, Sasha Goranova, Jayme Harken, Tess Lyons, Matilda Sergeant, Verity Simmons, Mackenzie Webb (delisted), Jess Hosking (self-delisted)
PRACTICE GAMES: vs. Fremantle at Cockburn, July 26, vs. Western Bulldogs at Mineral Resources Park, August 2
WESTERN BULLDOGS
MAGNET MOVES: Key position utility Lou Stephenson could turn out to be one of the bigger trade steals from Hawthorn, with the Bulldogs planning to use her as a forward with stints supporting Alice Edmonds in the ruck. Britney Gutknecht will be swung to halfback in a bid to weaponise her foot skills, while former No. 1 pick Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner will play across half-forward and a wing early in her second season.
TURNING HEADS: Both will hit the 50-game milestone early in the season, and Sarah Hartwig and Izzy Grant appear primed for breakout campaigns at Whitten Oval. Hartwig will have better support around her up forward this year, while Grant has long been renowned for her high training standards and hasn’t missed a game since 2021.
DEBUT WATCH: Emma McDonald is a ready-made key forward who the Dogs were able to snag at pick 8 in the draft. Bulldogs VFLW best and fairest winner Keeley Hardingham is also in selection calculations as a second ruck who can provide a strong target up forward.
MEDICAL ROOM: Captain Deanna Berry is recovering from a hamstring tendon injury that could keep her sidelined for the first couple of games this season. Experienced defender Lauren Ahrens is tracking well to be ready for round 1 after a foot stress injury, while Mua Laloifi (ACL) is targeting a return in the second half of the season.
LIST CHANGES: IN Lou Stephenson (Hawthorn), Keeley Hardingham, Emma McDonald, Sarah Poustie (draft) OUT Eleanor Brown (GWS), Jorja Borg, Keely Coyne, Bree McFarlane, Aurora Smith, Elizabeth Snell (delisted)
PRACTICE GAMES: vs. North Melbourne at Whitten Oval, July 25, vs. West Coast at Mineral Resources Park, August 2
Originally published as AFLW 2025: The pre-season standouts, big magnet moves at every club
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