Ultimate Guide: Players who will shape AFLW’s 2024 season, premiership race
With pre-season kicking off around the country this week, the AFLW campaign will be here before you know it. ELIZA REILLY names the players who will define the premiership race this year.
AFLW
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFLW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
With pre-season kicking off around the country this week, round one of the AFLW season will be here before we know it.
But while we wait, it’s time to get excited about what the year ahead holds.
From familiar faces to new recruits and outright stars, we look at the player to watch at your club in 2024.
Adelaide
Danielle Ponter
Boasting one of the best highlights reels in the AFLW, we saw a new side to Danielle Ponter’s game last year coinciding with more time in the midfield. Played her 50th game last year and already has two premierships to her name but made her maiden all-Australian side in 2023. We know what Ponter can do inside 50, kicking 16 goals last season, but with another pre-season under her belt, look for her to have an even bigger impact around the ground.
Brisbane Lions
Kate Lutkins
The AFLW world knows all too well what she’s capable of but Kate Lutkins now has even more motivation to get back to her best. Lutkins, 36, missed Brisbane’s premiership last season after giving birth to her first child. A three-time all-Australian and best on ground in Brisbane’s 2021 flag, the return of Lutkins has given the Lions a big shot at going back-to-back. One of the league’s premier defenders, Lutkins pleasantly surprised coach Craig Starcevich after holding her own in Brisbane’s time trials on Monday.
Carlton
Lila Keck
One of the most eye-catching players in last year’s draft crop, the Blues swooped on Keck when she was still available at pick No.7. The lively and dangerous small forward is expected to make an instant impact in attack for Carlton and take some pressure off Darcy Vescio who did a lot of the heavy lifting last year. Known for her unique goal celebrations, it won’t take Keck long to become a fan favourite.
Collingwood
Kalinda Howarth
When we reflect on the 2024 AFLW season, there’s every chance that former Sun Kalinda Howarth will emerge as one of the best bargain buys. At her best, Howarth is an all-Australian and two-time club leading goalkicker. But an ACL injury cut her 2023 season short before she ultimately decided to chase a fresh start with Collingwood. A skilful and electric player, Howarth was deployed at halfback and up forward during her time at the Suns. But expect her to do her best work in attack for the Magpies.
Essendon
Maddison Gay
One of the most high-profile names to swap clubs during last year’s trade period, Gay brings versatility and experience to the Bombers. The premiership Demon does her best work down back and through the midfield but it remains to be seen what role Essendon coach Natalie Wood has in mind for her new star. A proven performer in finals, the childhood Bombers supporter is set to be one of the recruits of the year.
Fremantle
Dana East
Described by those at Fremantle as a mini-Kiara Bowers, Dana East will have to live up to that lofty comparison this year with news the four-time Dockers best and fairest is pregnant and will miss the upcoming season. East has shown glimpses of her midfield potential since she was drafted by the Dockers but produced her most consistent season yet in 2023, finishing in the top 10 of Fremantle’s best and fairest and keeping captain Hayley Miller largely out of the midfield. Had to contend with syndesmosis surgery during the off-season but will need to rise to another level if the Dockers are to fill a Bowers-sized hole.
âï¸AFLW DEBUT GUERNSEY âï¸
— AFLW Ireland (@aflw_ireland) November 25, 2023
A lovely tribute from Geelong Captain Meg McDonald as she presents Anna Rose Kennedy â˜˜ï¸ with her DEBUT GUERNSEY ahead of the AFLW Preliminary Final against Brisbane, with Anna Rose’s Parents watching on from home 🙌 pic.twitter.com/NGUgR5Fpi7
Geelong
Anna-Rose Kennedy
The Irishwoman came from the clouds to earn a debut in Geelong’s preliminary final last year, underlining just how much of an impact she’s had since arriving at the Cats. Kennedy injured her foot early in the season and missed several weeks. But her form in Geelong’s match simulation gave the coaches confidence she was ready to play, with a shock finals call-up serving as her first legitimate game of football. The Cats will be hoping that Kennedy can remain injury-free so they can get the best out of her athleticism and outside run.
Gold Coast
Katie Lynch
It was a busy off-season for the Suns, turning over a third of their playing list. But Katie Lynch headlines a list of recruits, hoping a change of scenery can bring out her best after two injury-ravaged seasons. A former all-Australian key defender at the Bulldogs, Lynch is a like-for-like replacement for Lauren Ahrens down back. The addition of Charlotte Wilson combined with the existing talent of Vivien Saad and Daisy D’Arcy, Lynch adds another layer to an already formidable Suns’ defence.
GWS Giants
Kaitlyn Srhoj
A smooth mover who generates plenty on the wing, Kaitlyn Srhoj is exactly the sort of player the Giants need. The West Australian was taken with pick No. 3 in the AFLW draft after nominating nationally, citing a desire to challenge herself with an interstate move. Srhoj has great endurance and uses the footy well, making her the perfect outside link with the likes of Alyce Parker and Bec Beeson.
Hawthorn
Eliza West
After being squeezed out of Melbourne’s midfield late in the season, a new opportunity beckoned for Eliza West at the Hawks. A damaging midfield who brings plenty of grunt, West is not only competitive but she’s a proven finals player. Alongside the likes of Emily Bates, Jasmine Fleming and Charlotte Baskaran, new coach Daniel Webster has plenty to work with in the midfield.
Melbourne
Eden Zanker
There’s a reason that Melbourne had the best forward line in the competition last year. And a big part of that was Eden Zanker. Made her first AFLW all-Australian team last year and shared the league’s leading goalkicker award alongside teammate Kate Hore after bagging 20 majors, including a haul of five against Adelaide. Is still only 24 years old and with the Demons losing some defensive depth in the off-season, the efficiency of Melbourne’s forward line will be crucial this year.
North Melbourne
Libby Birch
Libby Birch is currently the only AFLW player to win a premiership with two different clubs and North Melbourne is hopeful she can make it a third. The Kangaroos were the best defence in the AFLW last year and Birch will make them even better. A proficient interceptor who reads the play like a book, is she the final piece of the puzzle in North Melbourne’s bid to go one better?
Port Adelaide
Shineah Goody
If Shineah Goody was up for selection in the 2023 AFLW draft, it’s safe to say that she wouldn’t have lasted beyond the first handful of picks. But the draft’s loss is Port Adelaide’s gain and the Power were elated to get exclusive access to the South Australian during its pre-draft signing period. A two-time underage all-Australian and also a National Championships’ MVP, Goody is set to have an immediate impact at Port. A classy ball magnet, she does her best work as an inside midfielder but she can also push back into defence.
Richmond
Monique Conti
Sometimes the most obvious answer is the right one. As if Mon Conti wasn’t already one of the best players to watch in the AFLW, her maiden league best and fairest underlined that. Will start the season with the title of the competition’s best player but you just sense that Conti has more to give. Her agility and speed put her a rung above most midfielders and still only 24, Conti will have a big say in Richmond’s finals push this season.
St Kilda
Kiera Whiley
Boasting the likes of Jaimee Lambert, Georgia Patrikios and Tyanna Smith, St Kilda already has plenty of midfield depth. But it’s hard to not get excited about Kiera Whiley. The Western Jets product is as consistent as they come. Whiley has a strong inside game but is also good defensively. A smooth mover, Whiley can also help free up Patrikios to get busy on the outside.
Sydney
Montana Ham
A No. 1 draft pick back in 2022, Ham quickly earned a reputation as one of the most watchable players in the AFLW. But injuries have prevented her from realising her full potential thus far. She missed two games in the first half of her debut season with a knee strain. Then last year, she suffered a stress reaction in her foot on the eve of the season and missed the first two games and could barely train when she returned. Is this the year we finally see what Ham is capable of? A five-goal, 20-disposal outing in the VFLW earlier this year could suggest so.
We've completed a trade for exciting utility Roxy Roux!
— West Coast Eagles AFLW (@eaglesaflw) December 8, 2023
Welcome to the club! https://t.co/ro8CBndfBxpic.twitter.com/tMQyYLIhE0
West Coast
Roxy Roux
There’s a lot of hype around what West Coast’s young list can achieve under new coach Daisy Pearce this year. But don’t write off Roxy Roux. A walking highlights reel early on in her career with her incredible vertical leap and ability to hit the scoreboard, Roux played just five games for the Dockers last season and was sent into defence. Roux played 37 games for the Dockers, kicking 16 goals, before requesting a trade last year. An in-form Roux is good for the AFLW so here’s hoping she can get back to her best with a change in scenery.
Western Bulldogs
Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner
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. It was a busy off-season at the Bulldogs with a third of the club’s list departing, including big names like Kirsty Lamb, Celine Moody and Gab Newton. But Weston-Turner has an opportunity to become one of the new faces of the club as the Bulldogs ring in a new era under coach Tamara Hyett. An athletic forward-midfielder from the Western Jets, Weston-Turner boasts speed and impressive aerial abilities
More Coverage
Originally published as Ultimate Guide: Players who will shape AFLW’s 2024 season, premiership race
From hoops to hoops: Inside Cats recruit’s footy rebirth
Piper Dunlop traded one elite sport for another as Geelong plucked the rookie ruck from their VFLW side at last week’s AFLW draft. The former hooper opens up on her decision to pursue footy.
Heartbreak at shock death of AFLW trailblazer
Devastated friends have paid tribute to women’s football pioneer Sal Rees whose sudden death at age 58 has sparked an outpouring of emotion.