Lauren Wood names her 23 players to watch in the 2023 AFLW season

With the AFLW season closing in we take a look at the 23 players to watch in the 2023 season — from the big names to the emerging stars soon to be household names.`

Tayla Harris in a recent practice match.

It’s been 12 months in the making, but season eight of AFL Women’s is on our doorstep, with reigning premier Melbourne set to unfurl its inaugural flag at Ikon Park on Friday night against Collingwood.

So who are the players to watch? We cast an eye over the competition and pinpoint the 23 players to watch in ‘23.

MONIQUE CONTI, 23, RICHMOND

After starting her career with a premiership at the Bulldogs, Conti has gone on to become one of the premier midfielders of the competition. A cross-code star who also plays WNBL, the young gun is now a four-time All-Australian and was hotly-tipped by AFL Women’s captains this week to salute with this year’s league best and fairest medal. Was voted by peers to win last year’s AFLPA Most Valuable Player award after averaging almost 22 disposals per game. Clean, can kick goals and has speed to burn.

ERIN PHILLIPS, 38, PORT ADELAIDE

It just wouldn’t feel like AFLW without Erin, and opposition sides are always wary of the superstar lurking. Whether this is her last season remains to be seen, but despite gruelling injuries and setbacks over the years – both on the basketball court and football field – Phillips just defies the odds to be right there among the best time and time again. Played every game last season and her experience and level-headedness is so valued by the young Power.

KATE HORE, 28, MELBOURNE

Hore, a premiership forward, has the unenviable task of stepping into the captaincy after one of the game’s best players – Daisy Pearce – retired at the end of last season. But ask anyone at Melbourne – including Pearce – and Hore is more than ready to relish the challenge. Booted 17 goals last season given her aerial danger and brings the pressure, too, with an average of four tackles per game.

Kate Hore is the reigning premiership skipper. Picture: Getty Images

CHLOE MOLLOY, 24, SYDNEY

In one of the biggest moves of the off-season, Molloy – who had been a fixture of Collingwood – signed a long-term deal to be a marquee player at Sydney and has had an impact since day one. Coach Scott Gowans has likened the versatile forward to having another coach out on the ground, which with the new runner rules this season will only become more valuable. Sets the standards and will be vital to the Swans as they continue to develop.

ELLA ROBERTS, 18, WEST COAST

Played every game last season as the No. 1 draft pick and notched almost eight contested possessions per game. A tall forward who was one of the most exciting prospects of the 2022 draft crop, Roberts’ athleticism is a key asset and her flair when firing is unmatched. Now has a full AFLW pre-season under her belt and will only continue to rise in the competition.

KEELEY SKEPPER, 19, CARLTON

Is noted for her versatility and rightly so, with an ability to contribute in the middle of the ground but also in defence. Played nine games for the Blues last season and was rewarded with a rising star nomination and claimed the club’s rookie of the year gong. The avid footy card collector had juggled Year 12 studies in Wodonga last year but now has the luxury of living in Melbourne so is now unburdened by travel and is reaping the benefits. Will be a long-term AFLW prospect.

BRIANNA DAVEY, 28, COLLINGWOOD

A second long-term knee injury put an abrupt end to Davey’s 2022 campaigns, with the former soccer player forced to watch on in season seven as she completed her rehabilitation alongside fellow ACL victim and teammate Brittany Bonnici. Is solo captain for the first time and is embracing the challenge as she makes her much-anticipated return to the field. Is brutal at the contest and so damaging.

Davey is back after a 12-month knee rehabilitation. Picture: Getty Images

LUCY McEVOY, 22, SYDNEY

Made a stellar comeback from an unconventional curb-trip incident that ended in shoulder surgery just weeks out from last season to play every game at Carlton before making the move as Sydney’s second marquee priority signing. “Big Boy” is as solid as a rock having come through the ranks as one of the game’s most promising juniors and will be incredibly valuable for the Swans down back.

NATALIE GRIDER, 22, BRISBANE LIONS

Her run-down tackle in the season seven grand final was on the precipice of premiership folklore but the pain of falling short in last year’s decider will no doubt burn for the Lions – and Grider. An All-Australian defender, Grider’s ability to rebound from half-back is a key asset for coach Craig Starcevich, with the versatile Lion named vice-captain this season.

ALLY ANDERSON, 29, BRISBANE LIONS

As reigning league best and fairest winner, Anderson can’t go unrecognised heading into season eight. Incredibly, Anderson collected the game’s top individual gong but was not named in the season eight All-Australian team, such was the quality of midfielders in action last year. Averaged almost 23 disposals per game and will be determined to make amends after how last season ended.

EMILY BATES, 27, HAWTHORN

The Hawks had been lurking with a war chest and finally opened it to secure Lions Bates and Greta Bodey out of the den as priority signings at the end of last season. Bates is one of the game’s best ballwinners, as indicated by her league best and fairest nod in season six. A three-time All-Australian, four-time Brisbane best and fairest winner and 2021 premiership player, Bates will bring another level of class to the Lions midfield.

JASMINE FLEMING, 18, HAWTHORN

One of the game’s hottest young prospects, Fleming – who balanced last season with finishing Year 12 – was recently noted by teammates Emily Bates as one of the best, if not the best, young talents she had ever witnessed. That’s some kudos. Daughter of Australian bowler Damien, Fleming is carving her own name into Australian sport with speed, class and a fine touch with the footy. Keep a very close eye.

Watch out for Jasmine Fleming this season. Picture: Getty Images

CHARLIE ROWBOTTOM, 20, GOLD COAST

Fresh off a club best and fairest-winning season, Rowbottom – sister of Sydney men’s player James – is one of the game’s emerging star midfielders with her power at stoppage a key weapon in her arsenal. Averaged 22.5 touches per game last season and almost seven tackles and at just 20, was among the top players in the league best and fairest count. In a scary prospect for opposition sides, will only continue to develop her already-sharp game sense in what is set to be another big season.

JASMINE GARNER, 29, NORTH MELBOURNE

One of the top forwards in the competition, the five-time All-Australian Kangaroo impressed with her work up the ground last season with mobility proving a headache for opposition teams to combat. A true game-winner, as she showed in the finals series, and one of the most powerful marking targets in the game. Unassuming, humble off the field but a competitive beast on it – a three-time club best and fairest and two-time club leading goalkicker.

EBONY MARINOFF, 25, ADELAIDE

It’s hard to believe Marinoff – a triple-premiership player – is only 25. Her experience in AFLW defies her age, having been the Crows’ first pick in the inaugural draft as a youngster. Dealt with an ankle issue at the end of last season and is fitter than ever heading into her eighth season at the top level. One of the game’s most prolific tacklers – and sledgers – the speedy Crow finished third in last year’s league best and fairest count in an indication of her impact on the game.

GEORGIE PRESPAKIS 20, GEELONG

A true contested beast, one half of the competition’s Prespakis pair found a new gear last season. Averaged almost 23 touches per game at one of the highest efficiency rates in the competition, Prespakis is so valuable for pressure and clearances. Is writing her own chapter at Geelong after joining sister Maddy in AFLW, named in the All-Australian team for season seven.

MADDY PRESPAKIS, 22, ESSENDON

Made the move to Essendon – who she grew up barracking for as a kid – from Carlton at the end of season six with the quick turnaround between seasons last year thrusting her straight into life at Tullamarine. Prespakis thrived and looked back to her ballwinning best, providing grunt at the contest and averaged almost 24 disposals to claim inaugural club best and fairest honours. The 2020 league best and fairest winner will only benefit further from a full pre-season under Bombers coach Natalie Wood with the four newest additions to the competition relishing the luxury of time this time around.

Greta Bodey is in new colours this season but will be just as smart around goal. Picture: Getty Images

GRETA BODEY, 28, HAWTHORN

One half of the Hawks’ priority signing haul, joining former Lions teammate Emily Bates at Waverley over the off-season, Bodey is one of the competition’s most exciting small forwards. Like many former Lions, will be smarting following last season’s grand final loss but will relish the new opportunity under coach Bec Goddard after an All-Australian season seven. Is just so smart and savvy around goal and buzzes around to pose a dangerous threat to opposition defenders.

ALYCE PARKER, 23, GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY

Totally defies her young age with her professionalism and craft that resulted in another club best and fairest gong in season seven. Just so reliable in the middle of the ground for coach Cam Bernasconi and has also been known to deliver a Dustin Martin-style “don’t argue” with ease. Her gruntwork at the contest is so valuable at the Giants and Parker will again be right in the thick of it as one of the game’s premier midfielders.

JESSE WARDLAW, 23, ST KILDA

It’s a fresh start for All-Australian Wardlaw, who was another player to depart the Lions at the end of last season, bound for Moorabbin. Claimed top goalkicking honours for the competition last season, ending the year with 19 majors in nine games in what will be a valuable addition for the Saints’ attack. At 185cm and with a huge reach, the young gun provides a difficult match-up for opposition sides with her speed another threatening asset.

ELLIE BLACKBURN, 28, WESTERN BULLDOGS

There’s three certainties in life – death, taxes and Ellie Blackburn delivering in the midfield. One of the most reliable and stoic leaders in the competition, Blackburn rebuffed significant interest from Sydney at the end of last season to remain loyal at the Kennel, where she has tasted premiership success. And she wants more. Combining with Kirsty Lamb in the middle, Blackburn collected another club best and fairest award last season, having also notched three All-Australian nods in her 58-game career. A player any side would love to have.

TAYLA HARRIS, 26, MELBOURNE

One of the game’s most-recognisable faces, Harris finally tasted premiership success in season seven, playing a crucial role in the Demons’ victory over Brisbane in her home state of Queensland. Harris, who is tattooed with the moniker “oxymoron”, does things a little differently – even competing for a national boxing title just weeks out from the season beginning. Her contested marking ability is second-to-none, with her height and reach also utilised with some ruckwork at times last season. Simply a can’t-look-away-from player.

BREANN MOODY, 26, CARLTON

The All-Australian ruck of season seven, Moody averaged almost 23 hitouts per game last season after stepping up her game to a new level. Has been the top-ranked ruck for three consecutive seasons, so there’s no doubting her reliability or consistency, with last season a career-high for disposals, hitouts and goals. Not only is the daughter of prominent racehorse trainer Peter Moody a threat at the tap, but she can punish in front of goal, too.