AFL Sydney Premier Women’s Season Preview: Every club previewed ahead of 2025 season

A youthful core and a willingness to run all day has the Parramatta Goannas primed for a serious flag title in AFL Sydney’s Premier Women’s Division. SEASON PREVIEW

Ava Saad is a key player for Parramatta. Picture: Contributed

The AFL Sydney Premier Women’s division returns to action on Saturday 29 March with nine teams to battle it out.

The East Coast Eagles enter the season as the three-time defending champions, however competition will be at its best as other teams try to knock them off their perch.

We take a look at all teams in the lead-up to the new season with our progressive season previews, continuing with the Parramatta Goannas.

PARRAMATTA GOANNAS

Captain: TBA

Coach: Alannah McCaffery

Last season: 3rd (11-5)

Key recruits: Marley Rhodes (East Coast Eagles), Eloise Carey (UTS)

Why they will be competitive: Parramatta showed signs they were on the up last season and now want to consolidate that with a prelim final or better appearance in the new season.

With some of the brightest young talents in the region coupled together with vital experience at this level, it has the Goannas confident in what they can bring in 2025.

“We have a pretty young side this year which is exciting,” coach Alannah McCaffery said.

“There are a few Academy players coming through and a few of our original girls hanging around.

“It’s important to get the balance right. The young ones coming up are good at everything, but it’s important to keep that level head and have those experienced players there for a bit of confidence, direction and for the right balance.

“It also keeps them feeling young.”

The signings of Marley Rhose and Eloise Carey add two key pieces to the fold for the Goannas, who are looking to catch opposition teams off guard with their style of play.

“This year we’ll be a bit of a different team to last year,” she said.

“We’ve changed tact with what our game plan will be. We’re looking to run more.

“If we can’t go through them, we’ll go around them. There’s a lot of skill in these young girls and we want to play a more strategic game.”

Players to watch: Ava Saad and Brea Trevitt will graduate into full-time Premier Division players after having a key role in the success of the U20s side that won their grand final last season. They both look to have natural talent and the step up to this level on a weekly basis will pose no fears.

Aimee Whelan (right) joins the Bulldogs. Photo: James Worsfold/AFL Photos/Getty Images

UNSW-ES BULLDOGS

Captain: TBA

Coach: Tom Williamson

Last season: 7th (4-12)

Key recruits: Aimee Whelan (Swans AFLW)

Why they will be competitive: An investment and continued growth of their youthful players will be key to them continuing to climb the ladder.

They showed signs of promise last year and look like a team on the up with improvements in their roster across the board.

“It’s our improved depth across the programs,” president Iain Dunstan said.

“Paul Roos said if you look at the bottom six of each club it tells them where they are. Our bottom six will be much stronger.

“Our depth is pleasing.”

Numbers are on the up within the Bulldogs and on the back of strong seasons from the likes of Emma Haley and Emily-Summer Hawes,

“We have strong U20s coming through. There’s a lot of young girls coming through and we have really good numbers again,” he said.

“Women’s Aussie rules is changing. If you go back 10 years most would come from soccer and netball. Now most have played their whole lives.

“Two of our top three in the best and fairest last year were just 15 and 16 years old.

The addition of former Swan in Whelan

“She’ll step into a broader role than just player,” Dunstan said.

“Aimee will help out with coaching as well. She’s a great leader for the women’s program and we expect them to be stronger again.”

Players to watch: Emma Haley is still in her early teenage years but has already made a big impression within the Bulldogs unit. She can play anywhere on the field but is best suited in the midfield or using her abundance of speed on the wing.

Ashleigh Carter will again lead the Wolves into the AFL Sydney season. Picture: Ikko Ehode Arimoto

MANLY-WARRINGAH WOLVES

Captain: Ashleigh Carter

Coach: Peter Robertson

Last season: Grand finalists (11-5)

Key recruits: Chloe Davis, Stephanie Wilkins and Jenna Whitehand (Parramatta Goannas)

Why they will be competitive: They went awfully close to winning the title last year and were the only team to defeat the East Coast Eagles throughout the regular season and finals, but just fell short in the decider.

“Our pre-season has been good and the girls have been well committed,” coach Robertson said.

“We had a large representation in the U22s team and those players did well. Everyone is training well and we’re looking forward to the beginning of the season.

“We had such a young team last year. Our focus is on progressing each player on their road to becoming a better senior footy player.

“Some showed great improvement and we can only hope that keeps going.”

Manly played one of the more attacking brands of football in the division last season and Robertson has no plans to change that.

“We like to teach the girls to actually play football and not play overly defensive,” he said.

“They’ve embraced that. They like to move the ball quickly.

“In our grand final team we had 17 players with two years or less of senior experience. That’s really exciting for me.

“There’s a lot to like when we put in a good effort.”

Players to watch: The talent and experience of Hannah Woolf, Ash Carter, Kenya Fahey and Zara Hamilton puts the Wolves in good stead once again to compete with the best. Hamilton has spent the pre-season training with the Swans in AFLW after being drafted by the Giants a few years ago. Fahey is still in her infant years in the sport but was one of the most impressive young players on their roster last season.