North Melbourne and Adelaide tipped by captains to reach AFLW Grand Final in 2019

Western Bulldogs are the reigning AFLW premiership but don’t expect them to go back-to-back, at least that’s the opinion of the 10 captains who were surveyed ahead of the season openers. Who do they think will make the Grand Final?

Western Bulldogs might be the reigning AFLW premiers but not many are expecting the club to win back-to-back premierships.

Ahead of the opening AFL Women’s matches starting on Saturday night, the 10 club captains were asked their predictions for the 2019 season, with no one nominating the Bulldogs to even make the Grand Final.

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Expansion club North Melbourne and 2017 premiers Adelaide are premiership favourites, according to the captains.

The Kangaroos went on a recruiting spree last year ahead of their first season in the competition, signing stars including reigning best and fairest winner Emma Kearney, ex-Collingwood marquee Moana Hope and ex-Lion Kaitlyn Ashmore.

Moana Hope is just one of North Melbourne’s big-name signings for the 2019 season. Picture: Richard Jupe

The Crows will be hoping star Erin Phillips enjoys an injury-free season and can help get them back into premiership contention.

Adelaide and North Melbourne each received three votes as the teams most likely to reach the Grand Final in 2019, while GWS received two votes and Brisbane and Melbourne one vote each.

Phillips, who won the AFLW best and fairest award in the inaugural season, played five games last year but battled a persistent quad injury.

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The captains are tipping the former basketballer to return to her best and be the league’s leading goalkicker.

Bulldogs star and co-captain Katie Brennan, whose first two AFLW seasons were wrecked by ankle and quad injuries, is expected to have a big season with two captains tipping her to kick the most goals in 2019.

Katie Brennan is expected to star for the Bulldogs this season. Picture: Getty

Erin Phillips played through injury for most of last season.

No captain believes Kearney will claim back-to-back league best and fairests, with Bulldogs co-captain Ellie Blackburn the favourite to win the award.

Blackburn received four votes to be the standout player this season as she assumes the bulk of the midfield responsibility following the departure of Kearney to North Melbourne.

No.1 draft pick Nina Morrison (four votes) is the favourite to win the Rising Star award for Geelong ahead of Carlton young gun Madison Prespakis (three).

The 10 captains surveyed were: Chelsea Randall (Adelaide), Leah Kaslar (Brisbane Lions), Bri Davey (Carlton), Steph Chiocci (Collingwood), Kara Donnellan (Fremantle), Melissa Hickey (Geelong), Amanda Farrugia (GWS Giants), Elise O’Dea (Melbourne), Emma Kearney (North Melbourne), Ellie Blackburn (Western Bulldogs).

Which other team apart from your own is most likely to reach the Grand Final?

3 — Adelaide Crows

3 — North Melbourne

2 — GWS Giants

1 — Brisbane Lions

1 — Melbourne

Who will win the competition Best and Fairest?

4 — Ellie Blackburn (Western Bulldogs)

2 — Erin Phillips (Adelaide Crows)

1 — Courtney Gum (GWS Giants)

1 — Chelsea Randall (Adelaide Crows)

1 — Elise O’Dea (Melbourne)

1 — Karen Paxman (Melbourne)

Who will kick the most goals in the competition?

4 — Erin Phillips (Adelaide Crows)

2 — Phoebe McWilliams (Geelong Cats)

2 — Katie Brennan (Western Bulldogs)

1 — Darcy Vescio (Carlton)

1 — Jasmine Garner (North Melbourne)

Who will win the NAB AFL Women’s Rising Star?

4 — Nina Morrison (Geelong Cats)

3 — Madison Prespakis (Carlton)

1 — Tyla Hanks (Melbourne)

1 — Alyce Parker (GWS Giants)

1 — Jordyn Allen (Collingwood)

Who will be the best player from another sport?

4 — Ash Brazill (Collingwood)

2 — Yvonne Bonner (GWS Giants)

1 — Shae Sloane (Melbourne)

1 — Chloe Dalton (Carlton)

1 — Sarah Rowe (Collingwood)

1 — Erin Phillips (Adelaide Crows)