AFLW 2024 Ultimate Guide: Eliza Reilly runs the rule over every club and names the young stars to watch

A new AFLW season is upon us. Who is the key to success at your club? And which young stars will make their name? ELIZA REILLY runs the rule over all 18 teams ahead of the first bounce.

The new AFLW season is almost here.

Ahead of the first bounce on Friday night, Eliza Reilly runs the rule over every team’s list, the key names and delivers the verdict on where you club could finish.

Pictured: Ebony Marinoff

Captains: Ebony Marinoff and Sarah Allan

Coach: Matthew Clark

Ins: Brooke Boileau (pick 22), Tamara Henry (pick 28), Lily Tarlinton (pick 34), Amy Boyle-Carr (rookie)

Outs: Montana McKinnon (Richmond), McKenzie Dowrick, Amber Ward, Hannah Button (delisted), Lisa Whiteley, Yvonne Bonner (retired).

Best players: You won’t find many better one-two punches in the AFLW than Ebony Marinoff and Anne Hatchard in the midfield. Chelsea Randall has stepped down as captain this season but she’ll continue to be one of the most watchable players in the competition with her bravery unmatched. Danielle Ponter boasts one of the best highlights reels in the competition and we saw a new side to her game thanks to more time in the midfield last season.

Young stars: Top draft pick Brooke Boileau is hoping to have an instant impact in the midfield and up forward this season after impressing with her pressure, run and aerial contests in Adelaide’s final pre-season hitout. Lily Tarlinton joined the Crows as a mature-age pick up in the draft and gives Adelaide flexibility up forward and in the ruck.

Pictured: Charlotte Mullins and Ruby Svarc

Captain: Breanna Koenen

Coach: Craig Starcevich

Ins: Shanae Davison, Eleanor Hartill (West Coast), Evie Long (pick 15), Sophie Peters (pick 21), Indiana Williams (pick 27), Rania Crozier (pick 35), Jacinta Baldwick (pick 37), Kate Lutkins (inactive, pregnancy), Luka Yoshida-Martin (inactive, ACL)

Outs: Zimmorlei Farquharson, Analea McKee (Western Bulldogs), Kiara Hillier (Sydney), Courtney Murphy, Mikayla Pauga (Greater Western Sydney), Bella Smith (Geelong), Ella Smith (Gold Coast), Phoebe Monahan, Sharni Webb (retired), Brooke Sheridan (delisted/Essendon), Caitlin Wendland (delisted/Port Adelaide)

Best players: AFLW best and fairest Ally Anderson is a pillar of consistency in the midfield and following the departure of Emily Bates, Belle Dawes took her game to another level last year. Courtney Hodder is a human highlights reel up forward and her presence is matched only by key forward Dakota Davidson who turned the 2023 grand final in Brisbane’s favour.

Young stars: Charlotte Mullins made her debut in round one last season and is now a premiership player, impressing with her defensive pressure and attack on the ball. Academy graduate Evie Long is known for her run, carry and scoreboard impact and will be hopeful of getting an opportunity in her first season.

Pictured: Darcy Vescio

Captain: Kerryn Peterson

Coach: Matthew Buck

Ins: Tarni Brown (Collingwood), Yasmin Duursma (Port Adelaide), Celine Moody (Western Bulldogs), Lila Keck (pick 7), Meg Robertson (pick 31), Lulu Beatty (inactive, leg), Maddy Guerin (inactive, ACL)

Outs: Annie Lee (Collingwood), Paige Trudgeon (St Kilda), Phoebe McWilliams (retired), Imogen Milford, Chloe Wrigley (delisted), Daisy Walker (delisted/GWS)

Best players: Darcy Vescio is the face of the AFLW’s marketing campaign and it’s easy to see why with the small forward synonymous with the Blues. Breann Moody became a dual Carlton best and fairest last season and is now joined by her sister Celine in navy, the pair set to dominate the ruck this year. Abbie McKay looks set to continue her dominance in the midfield with her explosive speed a serious asset.

Young stars: One of the most eye-catching players in last year’s draft crop, it won’t take long for Lila Keck to become a fan favourite with her personality-packed goal celebrations. AFLW Rising Star winner Mimi Hill and Keeley Sherar both finished in the top five of Carlton’s best and fairest last year, playing important roles around the ball.

Pictured: Bri Davey

Captain: Bri Davey

Coach: Sam Wright

Ins: Kalinda Howarth (Gold Coast), Mikayla Hyde (Fremantle), Annie Lee (Carlton), Muireann Atkinson (rookie), Georgia Clark (pick 8), Lucy Cronin (pick 9), Amber Schutte (pick 32), Imogen Evans (injury replacement player)

Outs: Ash Brazill (Fremantle), Tarni Brown (Carlton), Olivia Barber, Sophie Casey, Imogen Evans, Jo Lin, Emily Smith (delisted)

Best players: Brittany Bonnici and Bri Davey bounced back from ACL injuries to re-establish

themselves as two of the most impactful midfielders in the AFLW. Speedster Sarah Rowe’s 2023 season was her best yet, gaining plenty of ground by foot. Ruby Schleicher is coming off an injury-interrupted season but looks set to get back to her line-breaking best.

Young stars: Top 10 draft picks Georgia Clark and Lucy Cronin should both get opportunities this season under new coach Sam Wright. Clark is a strong-bodied key forward who can be another marking target in attack while intercept defender Cronin missed Collingwood’s practice match with a lower leg injury but is expected to be fit for round one selection.

Pictured: Bonnie Toogood

Captains: Bonnie Toogood and Steph Cain

Coach: Natalie Wood

Ins: Maddi Gay (Melbourne), Bess Keaney (Gold Coast), Amy Gaylor (expansion pre-signing), Emily Gough (pick 20), Chloe Adams (pick 38), Brooke Sheridan (replacement signing) Outs: Danielle Marshall, Cat Phillips, Jess Wuetschner (retired), Alana Barba, Leah Cutting, Jo Doonan, Renee Tierney (delisted)

Best players: Bonnie Toogood has the power and talent to become the best forward in the AFL this season after a productive start to her career at Tullamarine. Maddy Prespakis is an A-Grade midfielder and will play a massive role in Essendon’s finals aspirations. Maddi Gay is set to be one of the recruits of the year with her versatile and experience a massive addition to the Bombers.

Young stars: Paige Scott is an excitement machine up forward for Essendon and a nightmare for opposition defenders. Stephanie Wales finished third in the Bombers’ best and fairest last season and at just 21, shapes as a massive part of the club’s future thanks to her presence in the ruck and courage.

Pictured: Ange Stannett

Captain: Ange Stannett

Coach: Lisa Webb

Ins: Ash Brazill (Collingwood), Aisling McCarthy (West Coast), Gab Newton (Western Bulldogs), Holly Ifould (pick 49), Mikayla Morrison (inactive, ACL), Gabrielle Biedenweg-Webster, Tunisha Kikoak (replacement signings)

Outs: Mikayla Hyde (Collingwood), Roxy Roux (West Coast), Sarah Wielstra, Nikki Nield (delisted), Emmelie Fielder (delisted/St Kilda)

Best players: Former No.1 pick Gabby Newton has made the move across the Nullabor and has made an instant impact at the Dockers. Expect her to provide a focal point up forward and also go through the midfield. Aine Tighe hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down and she’s set to have more support in attack this season. Emma O’Driscoll is one of the best key defenders in the competition and won All-Australian selection for the first time last season. Aisling McCarthy and Hayley Miller both provide speed and power in the midfield.

Young stars: The Dockers will field one of the oldest lists in the competition this season but in the absence of Kiara Bowers (inactive list, pregnant) and Ange Stannett (inactive list, ACL), Dana East is tipped to go to the next level in the midfield. Look out for Sarah Verrier in defence as well. Had an injury-interrupted season last year but nobody uses the ball by foot like her.

Picture: Amy McDonald

Captain: Meg McDonald

Coach: Dan Lowther

Ins: Bella Smith (Brisbane), Chantal Mason (pick 18), Bryde O'Rourke (pick 23), Kate Kenny (rookie), Lilly Pearce, Caitlin Thorne (replacement players)

Outs: Annabel Johnson (West Coast), Renee Garing, Erin Hoare (retired), Sam Gooden, Ingrid Houtsma, Mia Skinner (delisted)

Last season: 6th (6-4)

Best players: Georgie Prespakis underlined her star status with her first Geelong best and fairest last season, stamping herself as one of the AFLW’s best young midfielders. Paired with Amy McDonald, the Cats are stacked in the midfield. And don’t forget about Nina Morrison who can hurt you around the ball and up forward.

Young stars: Chantal Mason could get an early call-up with Chloe Scheer set to be sidelined for the start of the season with a toe injury. Kate Kenny adds to an already healthy Cats’ Irish contingent and has pace to burn up forward.

Pictured: Tara Bohanna

Captain: Tara Bohanna

Coach: Cameron Joyce

Ins: Katie Lynch (Western Bulldogs), Ella Smith (Brisbane), Charlotte Wilson (Melbourne), Keely Fullerton, Taya Oliver (pick 44), Kiara Bischa (pick 50), Sienna McMullen (pick 51), Annabel Kievit (pick 52), Lauren McConville (injury replacement player)

Outs: Lauren Ahrens, Jasmyn Smith (Western Bulldogs), Giselle Davies (Sydney), Alison Drennan (West Coast), Kalinda Howarth (Collingwood), Bess Keaney (Essendon), Kaylee Kimber, Tahlia Meyer (delisted), Gabrielle Biedenweg-Webster (delisted/Fremantle), Claire Ransom (delisted/GWS)

Best players: Charlie Rowbottom is an out and out star with her incredible blend of contested ball-winning ability and defensive pressure. She’s worth the price of admission. Claudia Whitfort had a breakout season last year playing as an inside midfielder. Jamie Stanton knows her way around goal and will be buzzing at the feet of Tara Bohanna and Jac Dupuy yet again.

Young stars: Lucy Single is one of the fittest players at the club and was happy to go head-to-head with some of the league’s best midfielders last season. Academy graduate Darcie Davies played 10 games for the Suns last season and will look to grow her partnership with ruck Lauren Bella.

Pictured: Bec Beeson

Captain: Bec Beeson

Coach: Cameron Bernasconi

Ins: Courtney Murphy, Mikayla Pauga (Brisbane), Aliesha Newman (Sydney), Daisy Walker (Carlton), Claire Ransom (Gold Coast), Kaitlyn Srhoj (pick 3), Indigo Linde (pick 40), Meghan Gaffney (inactive, ACL), Eilish O’Dowd (rookie), Jemma Ramsdale (injury replacement player)

Outs: Rene Caris (St Kilda), Ally Dallaway, Jodie Hicks (Richmond), Annalyse Lister (retired), Tess Cattle, Zara Hamilton, Tait Mackrill, Teagan Germech, Isadora McLeay (delisted), Grace Hill (delisted/Melbourne)

Best players: Bernasconi wasn’t wrong when he predicted that Zarlie Goldsworthy is going to

dominate the competition for the next decade. The Rising Star took out the Giants’ best and fairest and the club’s leading goal kicker award last year after a brilliant breakout season. Alyce Parker is set to bounce back in the middle after missing the last three games of 2023 with injury. Rebecca Beeson takes over the captaincy this season and is tipped to continue her strong work in the midfield.

Young stars: Kaitlyn Srhoj is a powerful runner from Western Australia who already has the talent and endurance to slot right in at AFLW level. Tarni Evans was a consistent contributor in an under-siege defence, leading the league for rebounds.

Pictured: Emily Bates

Captain: Emily Bates

Coach: Daniel Webster

Ins: Casey Sherriff, Eliza West (Melbourne), Hayley McLaughlin, Laura Stone, Jess Vukic (expansion pre-signing), Sophie Butterworth (pick 45), Mikayla Williamson (pick 17)

Outs: Catherine Brown, Tegan Cunningham, Tamara Luke, Akec Makur Chuot (retired), Janet Baird, Zoe Barbakos, Sarah Perkins (delisted)

Best players: Hok ball is back except this time, the likes of Emily Bates and Tilly Lucas-Rodd will be leading the way. Bates’ endurance and work rate makes her a difficult player to contain and she’s desperate for more AFLW success in the brown and gold. While Lucas-Rodd spent a bit more time up forward last season but is still a respected leader and ball winner. Kaitlyn Ashmore and new recruit Casey Sherriff will bring the speed.

Young stars: Jasmine Fleming is a star of the future and you just feel as though she’s about to take the competition by the scruff of the neck this season with more support in the midfield. Mackenzie Eardley is an emerging key defender who is awesome to watch in full flight. Lucy Wales is set to be Hawthorn’s set and forget ruck after sharing duties with the since-retired Tamara Luke last year.

Pictured: Kate Hore

Captain: Kate Hore

Coach: Mick Stinear

Ins: Lily Johnson (Port Adelaide), Alyssia Pisano (pick 5), Ryleigh Wotherspoon (pick 12), Jacinta Hose (pick 24), Jemma Rigoni (pick 29), Delaney Madigan (pick 55) Grace Hill (replacement signing), Denby Taylor (replacement signing), Grace Beasley (rookie)

Outs: Libby Birch (North Melbourne), Maddi Gay (Essendon), Casey Sherriff, Eliza West (Hawthorn), Charlotte Wilson (Gold Coast), Georgina Fowler (retired), Jordan Ivey, Samantha Johnson (delisted)

Best players: The talent exodus might impact Melbourne’s finals credentials but there’s still plenty of quality on their list led by Tayla Harris who looks set for a new role in defence this season. Captain Kate Hore inflicts damage with every touch, whether that’s in the midfield or up forward where she was the competition’s equal-leading goal kicker last season. She shared the honour with Eden Zanker who is one of the most watchable players in the AFLW.

Young stars: Wotherspoon was a draft bolter last season, arriving at the Demons with a background in elite cricket but there’s considerable excitement about what she can do with the footy. Tahlia Gillard impressed in a defensive role last season for the Demons, earning selection in the All-Australian squad, and she’ll need to be at her best given the departures of Birch and Gay down back.

Picture: Emma Kearney

Captain: Emma Kearney

Coach: Darren Crocker

Ins: Libby Birch (Melbourne), Ella Slocombe (pick 26), Georgia Stubs (pick 30), Zoe Savarirayan (inactive, ACL), Vikki Wall (inactive, rugby), Blaithin Bogue (rookie), Sophie Kavanagh (replacement signing)

Outs: Ellie Gavalas (Western Bulldogs), Ailish Considine (retired), Hannah Bowey, Charli Granville, Cassidy Mailer, Sophia McCarthy (delisted)

Best players: It’s criminal that Jasmine Garner is yet to win an AFLW best and fairest after years at the top of her game. But the star midfielder will be as important as ever in North’s bid to go one better. She’ll be joined on-ball by Ash Ridell who knows how to find the footy. With Emma Kearney down back organising the AFLW’s best defence, the expectation is a return to the grand final for North Melbourne.

Young stars: Taylah Gatt played every game for North Melbourne last season, finding more of the footy and adding a defensive edge to her game. It’s going to be a hard side to break into but hardworking midfielder/forward Ella Slocombe is the best placed of North’s draftees if an opportunity arises.

Pictured: Janelle Cuthbertson

Captain: Janelle Cuthbertson

Coach: Lauren Arnell

Ins: Kirsty Lamb (Western Bulldogs), Molly Brooksby, Shineah Goody, Lauren Young (expansion pre-signing), Piper Window (pick 19), Alissa Brook (pick 25), Teagan Germech, Caitlin Wendland, Jo Miller (replacement signings)

Outs: Yasmin Duursma (Carlton), Lily Johnson (Melbourne), Erin Phillips (retired), Laquoiya

Cockatoo-Motlap, Litonya Cockatoo-Motlap, Jade de Melo, Jade Halfpenny, Maggie MacLachlan, Jacqui Yorston (delisted)

Best players: Gemma Houghton is one of the most enjoyable players to watch in the AFLW when she’s up and about and paired with Ash Saint, Port’s forward line is set to be a handful. You don’t want to get between Abbey Dowrick and the footy, with the contested bull predicted to rise again after winning her first best and fairest.

Young stars: Take your pick. Two-time junior All-Australian Shineah Goody wouldn’t have lasted beyond the first few picks if she was available in an open draft. Piper Window is just as credentialed and just as classy, winning the SANFLW best and fairest last year. They’ll both be feeding off the incredible tap work of Matilda Scholz who enjoyed a breakout season in the ruck last year.

Pictured: Katie Brennan

Captain: Katie Brennan

Coach: Ryan Ferguson

Ins: Ally Dallway, Jodie Hicks (Greater Western Sydney), Montana McKinnon (Adelaide), Isabel Bacon (pick 13), Mackenzie Ford (pick 43), Tessa Lavey (inactive, toe), Tamara Luke (injury replacement player)

Outs: Meagan Kiely (retired), Jess Hosking (delisted, then West Coast), Sarah D'Arcy, Meg Macdonald, Lilly Pearce, Stephanie Williams (delisted)

Last season: 10th (5-5)

Best players: The most obvious answer is often the right one and it wouldn’t be a surprise if Mon Conti backed up her AFLW best and fairest with back-to-back seasons at the pinnacle. Eilish Sheerin has emerged as a daring half-back who breaks lines with ease. And when we talk about star power, it’s impossible to look past Katie Brennan.

Young stars: No.1 pick Ellie McKenzie will basically be a new recruit after playing just one game last season due to an ankle injury. She looms as a midfield weapon for Richmond.

Picture: Hannah Priest

Captain: Hannah Priest

Coach: Nick Dal Santo

Ins: Rene Caris (Greater Western Sydney), Paige Trudgeon (Carlton), Kiera Whiley, Charlotte Simpson (draft), Emmelie Fiedler (injury replacement)

Outs: Rosie Dillon, Deanna Jolliffe, Erin McKinnon, Renee Saulitis, Jayde Van Dyk (delisted)

Best players: St Kilda has been building for the past few seasons and a finals berth is within reach. If they get there, it’ll be because of Jesse Wardlaw and Jaimee Lambert. Wardlaw is a powerful focal point for the Saints and is a contender for the AFLW’s leading goal kicker if coach Nick Dal Santo doesn’t need her in the ruck. Lambert is a force around the footy in an emerging Saints midfield that also features Georgia Patrikios.

Young stars: Tyanna Smith bounced back from an ACL injury to establish herself as one of St Kilda’s classiest and tenacious midfielders last year, finishing runner-up in the club’s best and fairest. Former first round pick J’Noemi Anderson is one to watch after an injury-interrupted season last year, also returning from an ACL. Is this the season she hits her straps?

Pictured: Lucy McEvoy

Captains: Chloe Molloy and Lucy McEvoy

Coach: Scott Gowans

Ins: Giselle Davies (Gold Coast), Kiara Hiller (Brisbane), Holly Cooper (expansion pre-signing), Sarah Grunden (pick 16), Lara Hausegger (pick 33), Hayley Bullas, Maddy Collier (inactive, ACL)

Outs: Aliesha Newman (Greater Western Sydney), Jaide Anthony, Kiara Beesley, Sarah Ford, Jennifer Higgins, Bridie Kennedy, Kate Reynolds (delisted)

Best players: As a club, the Swans are still in their AFLW infancy. But two clear faces of the club have emerged in Chloe Molloy and Ally Morphett. Sydney players walk taller with Molloy around and her talent and class were a big reason why the Swans made finals last year. Morphett turned down big offers from interstate to re-sign with Sydney and with another pre-season of work, her rise in the ruck will continue. Laura Gardiner also had a breakout season thanks to consistent opportunity in the midfield, staking her claim as the competition’s most improve player.

Young stars: Montana Ham couldn’t give a proper account of herself last season with a foot injury preventing her from training most weeks. The No.1 pick is ready to explode this year with a midfield role on the cards. Sofia Hurley also made good inroads in her second season at the Swans and has been a standout this pre-season.

Pictured: Emma Swanson

Captain: Emma Swanson

Coach: Daisy Pearce

Ins: Alison Drennan (Gold Coast), Annabel Johnson (Geelong), Roxy Roux (Fremantle), Jess Hosking (Richmond), Verity Simmons (rookie), Jess Rentsch (pick 2), Kayley Kavanagh (pick 14), Georgie Cleaver (pick 39), Matilda Sergeant (pick 42), Sanne Bakker, Octavia Di Donato, Jayme Harken, Tess Lyons (replacement signings)

Outs: Shanae Davison, Eleanor Hartill (Brisbane), Aisling McCarthy (Fremantle), Kate Bartlett, Emma Humphries, Aimee Schmidt, Jess Sedunary, Isabella Simmons (retired), Krstel Petrevski, Ella Smith (delisted)

Best players: A coach is only as good as the players they have to work with and luckily for Pearce, the Eagles boast one of the best young lists in the competition. Charlie Thomas made history last season as West Coast’s first All-Australian, also winning the Eagles’ best and fairest. She’s improved her fitness in the off-season and will be a challenge to pass down back. Ella Roberts continues her ascension to AFLW stardom with a split midfield/forward role set to give the Eagles class across both lines. Captain Emma Swanson has recovered from off-season hip surgery and will run around the midfield pain free for the first time in two years.

Young stars: Lauren Wakfer rucked solo for West Coast last season and her athleticism and follow-up work make her one of the league’s most exciting talls. Bella Lewis is one of the Eagles’ hardest trainers and it’s time that she made West Coast’s midfield her own.

Pictured: Deanna Berry

Captain: Deanna Berry

Coach: Tamara Hyett

Ins: Lauren Ahrens, Jasmyn Smith (Gold Coast), Zimmorlei Farquharson, Analea McKee (Brisbane), Ellie Gavalas (North Melbourne), Mua Laloifi (Carlton), Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner (pick 1), Brooke Barwick (pick 4), Elaine Grigg (pick 6), Cleo Buttifant (pick 11), Jorja Borg (pick 48)

Outs: Kirsty Lamb (Port Adelaide), Katie Lynch (Gold Coast), Celine Moody (Carlton), Gab Newton (Fremantle), Richelle Cranston, Kirsten McLeod (retired), Daisy Bateman, Bailey Hunt, Millie Brown, Gemma Lagioia (delisted)

Best players: Will the last person to leave turn the lights off? It was an off-season exodus at the Bulldogs with several experienced campaigners leaving in search of greener pastures. Ellie Blackburn has stepped down as captain but is still committed to lead the Bulldogs back to success and can now focus on her footy, which mind you is in good order. Alice Edmonds is undoubtedly one of the best rucks in the competition, setting the tone for her midfield. Isabelle Pritchard is emerging as a reliable midfield option but her versatility could also see her slot into any line.

Young stars: She was the number one pick for a reason and now Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner gets the chance to show the AFL what she’s got. An athletic forward-midfielder, Weston-Turner boasts speed and impressive aerial abilities. Elaine Grigg is also tipped to become a cult hero with her pace and pressure a must watch.

Originally published as AFLW 2024 Ultimate Guide: Eliza Reilly runs the rule over every club and names the young stars to watch