AFL Women’s Draft 2023: We look at the top names to watch ahead of this year’s national draft
A potential father-daughter Demon, a Super Netball prospect planning to juggle two sports and a 157cm pocket rocket. Meet the top prospects in this year’s AFLW draft crop.
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The final year of school is done for most of the game’s next generation and before Santa arrives, it’s time for the AFL Women’s national draft.
So who are the names to watch? We cast an eye over some of the best young prospects in the game as they hope to find a home at an AFLW club on December 18.
Will they be under the watchful eye of premiership coach Craig Starcevich, a new face at the Western Bulldogs or freshly-appointed West Coast coach and AFLW great Daisy Pearce?
Almost 600 players have nominated for the draft, but just 78 picks.
Check out just a handful of the game’s top talent below.
FULL LIST: SEE EVERY NOMINATED PLAYER HERE
KRISTIE-LEE WESTON-TURNER
Age: 18
Position: Key forward
State league team: Western Jets
Club: Sunshine Heights
Nominated draft state: National
Considered one of the most athletically talented players in this year’s crop, Weston-Turner is expected to be selected very early in the piece. Her vertical leap and sprint testing at the draft combine were some of the best performances on the day and landed her in the category of “elite”, and she is also dangerous in front of goal. Was hampered by a broken wrist this season but that won’t stop her being an early pick.
ALYSSIA PISANO
Age: 18
Position: Small forward
State league team: Eastern Ranges
Club: Rowville Knights
A very handy left-foot kick, Pisano has been on the radar of a number of clubs in recent months and is expected to be selected early in the draft. Is another player to have overcome an ACL injury, making her return in Round 1 of the NAB League girls season this year with four goals, proving she hadn’t missed a beat. Went on to kick goals in every game she played. Is a very clean player – particularly at ground level – and can do serious damage.
BROOKE BARWICK
Age: 18
Position: Midfielder
State league team: Tasmania Devils
Club: Glenorchy/Claremont
Nominated draft state: National
One of Tasmania’s finest young talents who was cruelled by a knee injury – suffered while playing touch football with friends – in 2023. With a now-repaired ACL in tow, her skills and consistency are noted assets and Barwick will be ready for the 2024 season. Represented the Allies at the 2022 national championships as a bottom-age player and earned All-Australian honours. What she might lack in size at just 157cm, Barwick more than makes up for with clearance and defensive ability.
JEMMA RIGONI
Age: 19
Position: Utility
State league team: Oakleigh Chargers
Club: Ashburton
Nominated draft state: Victoria
If you watched footy through the ‘90s, there’s every chance Jemma’s name sounds familiar. But the daughter of former Melbourne player Guy Rigoni is more than making her own name with the Sherrin in hand. Her speed and footy smarts put her ahead of the pack, with a very handy left foot. Eligible to be selected under the father-daughter rule by the Demons, where she is expected to land.
PIPER WINDOW
Age: 18
Position: Mid/forward
State league team: South Australia
Club: Glenelg
Nominated draft state: South Australia
Absolutely starred in the SANFL women’s competition this season and was duly rewarded with league best and fairest honours. Hails from a long line of successful South Australian footballers and has links to Adelaide, combining power, speed and athleticism into a dangerous combination. “The past couple of seasons, I’ve really started to focus on my skills and on footy, and I’ve put nearly all my time into it,” she said this year. I know there’s still definitely a lot more to come, but I think it’s a great starting point.”
ELLA SLOCOMBE
Age: 18
Position: Mid/forward
State league team: Claremont
Club: Claremont
Nominated draft state: National
Became something of a draft bolter this season after showing off explosive speed and delivered big testing results after a huge off-season. Won a premiership with Claremont this season and also impressed for her state at the national championships. Unfortunately missed the second half of the WAFLW season due to a knee injury but won’t be hampered by next AFLW season. One of WA’s best three talents, Slocombe recently toured the Eagles’ facilities but nominated for the national draft last week and could well be an early selection.
GEORGIE CLEAVER
Age: 18
Position: Ruck/forward
State league team: East Fremantle
Club: Rossmoyne
Nominated draft state: Western Australia
An elite-level netballer, Cleaver has nominated WA due to her on-court commitments in the state as she bids to earn a Super Netball contract and juggle the two sports. Won a grand final with East Fremantle this year and also represented Australia at the youth Commonwealth Games in Trinidad and Tobago – not a bad 12 months for the young tall. Has been a member of the AFL National Academy and has impressed with her tapwork and clean skills.
BROOKE BOILEAU
Age: 18
Position: Midfielder
State league team: South Adelaide
Club: Mount Compass
Nominated draft state: South Australia
A member of Port Adelaide’s next generation academy, it’s likely Boileau will be in teal next season. Had a breakout year and improved across a range of areas as was indicated in her draft testing, where Boileau was among SA’s best. An inside midfielder, Boileau averaged 22 touches – half of those contested – and five tackles at the national championships and finished with an All-Australian nod.
MIKAYLA WILLIAMSON
Age: 18
Position: Mid/defender
State league team: Dandenong Stingrays
Club: Pines
Nominated draft state: Victoria
Possesses explosive speed which allows her to evade opponents and damage at clearances. Earned All-Australian honours with a promising national championship showing, and is rated as elite for athleticism and consistency. Delivered an all-time best in the 2km time trial at the draft combine to further sharpen the eyes of recruiters on her, smashing the next best contender by 12 seconds, and ranked second overall on the agility test. A smart player.
LILA KECK
Age: 18
Position: Small forward
State league team: Bendigo Pioneers
Club: South Bendigo
Nominated draft state: Victoria
A sharp player with strong goal sense, Keck can move between working as a small forward and the midfield. Has noted energy and X-factor after developing her game throughout recent years with Bendigo Pioneers and Vic Country. Was hampered by ankle trouble this year – including ligament trouble before the national championships – but turned her hand to coaching when not playing for a new perspective on the game. Has class in attack and will no doubt bring some electric celebrations to match.
ELAINE GRIGG
Age: 17
Position: Mid/forward
State league team: Central District
Club: Broadview
Nominated draft state: National
Was part of the SA title-winning team at the national championships, where she averaged 18 disposals and caught eyes with her creativity and contested work. Her tackling pressure is also among the best, laying at least five tackles in every SANFLW game she played this season. Born in Kenya, Grigg’s athleticism and endurance has been rated as elite in testing this year and could go inside the draft’s Top 10 picks.
KAITLYN SRHOJ
Age: 18
Position: Midfielder
State league team: Peel Thunder
Club: Halls Head/Mandurah
Nominated draft state: National
Considered one of Western Australia’s top draft prospects after turning her hand to football in the wake of a serious ankle injury playing basketball. It proved a turning point, making her WAFLW debut in 2022 and earning AFL Academy selection this season. Shows great aerial promise and has an ability to play either inside or outside, and is firmly in contention to be selected within the first round of the national draft.
CLEO BUTTIFANT
Age: 18
Position: Key defender
State league team: GWS Giants Academy
Club: Ainslie/Turvey Park
Nominated draft state: National
Buttifant took her game to a new level this season, having only played Australian rules for two years after previously being focused on touch football with the Australian Emus. The dual-sport athlete has what AFL national talent manager Kevin Sheehan describes as “dazzling” pace. Proved her consistency at the national championships, and has shown her ability in the air can be put to real use. It might have happened quickly for Buttifant – a childhood Carlton fan – but she’s “excited for where it could go”, she said this week.
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Originally published as AFL Women’s Draft 2023: We look at the top names to watch ahead of this year’s national draft
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