Phantom Draft: How the top 20 picks could fall in the 2025 AFLW Draft
It’s been tipped to be one of the more unpredictable AFLW Drafts in years – but ELIZA REILLY has her ear on the ground. Here’s how the top 20 could play out on Monday night.
It’s been tipped to be one of the more unpredictable AFLW drafts in years.
With Gold Coast Academy graduates tipped to dominate, a potential New South Wales bidding war between GWS and Sydney and a pick one contender tied up in go-home concerns, there are several layers of uncertainty to consider.
With her ear to the ground, ELIZA REILLY predicts the top 20 selections.
AFLW DRAFT DOSSIER: FULL PROFILES ON THE TOP 35 PROSPECTS
PICK 1: RICHMOND
Scarlett Johnson
175cm utility, Northern Knights
The Tigers traded up to pick one for a reason and many believe that reason is Scarlett Johnson. The 18-year-old wasn’t picked in the AFLW Academy this year, but after a standout performance at the national championships, she’s bolted into top-five contention. Richmond has been linked to her since acquiring the No.1 pick but there is also speculation the Tigers could opt for Subiaco key forward Olivia Wolmarans, given Katie Brennan is in the twilight of her career. Chloe Bown is also an option.
PICK 2: SYDNEY SWANS
(matching GWS bid)
Alex Neyland
178cm forward, Sydney Swans Academy
Let the bidding begin. Despite missing a large chunk of the last two years due to an ACL injury, Neyland has picked up where she left off. She can play at both ends, but does the most damage up forward with her athleticism and work rate. A breakout year means several clubs, including the Giants, rate her as a top 10 prospect.
PICK 3: GWS
Olivia Wolmarans
181cm key forward, Subiaco
As long as Richmond doesn’t pounce with pick one, expect Wolmarans to be a Giant. No other key forward in the AFLW, let alone this year’s draft pool, can do some of the things this draft unicorn is capable of. Wolmarans has plenty of admirers at the pointy end of the draft.
PICK 4: GWS
Kiera Yerbury
173cm midfielder/forward, Sydney Swans Academy
Here’s where things get interesting. The Giants are expected to bid on one Sydney academy player, so why not make it two? After not being included on the initial list of 11, Yerbury has since received a late invitation to Monday night’s official function in Melbourne. It’s sparked speculation that the Giants are considering a double bid on Neyland and Yerbury, meaning Sydney (pick 18) can only match one. When else is there one, let alone two, genuine top 10 New South Wales prospects? Chloe Bown would slot straight into GWS’s midfield, but the Giants are weighing up go-home concerns. Evie Cowcher could be an outside chance.
PICK 5: GOLD COAST
(matching Adelaide bid)
Sunny Lappin
169cm midfielder, Gold Coast Academy
Gold Coast naturally wants to see academy players picked where they deserve to be picked. But given the differences in AFLW bidding, opposition clubs aren’t as ruthless as they are in the men’s. Rival clubs don’t expect Richmond or GWS to bid on any Gold Coast players, but it’s understood Adelaide is considering kicking off a red and gold avalanche with a swing at Lappin. The daughter of former Saint and Blue Matthew, Sunny has forged her own path this year after winning Queensland’s MVP and All-Australian selection at the national championships.
PICK 6: ADELAIDE
Chloe Bown
173cm midfielder, Oakleigh Chargers
Depending on what happens in the first five picks, rival clubs think Adelaide will be choosing between Bown and Yerbury. If the latter gets through, the Crows would strongly consider a bid given her grandad lives in Adelaide. But the Crows are also understood to have met with Bown in Melbourne after the trade period concluded to assess go-home concerns. Both would be in the mix for an early debut after Adelaide parted ways with Anne Hachard and Brooke Boileau in the trade period.
PICK 7: GOLD COAST
(matching Collingwood bid)
Ava Usher
162cm midfielder, Gold Coast Academy
If she weren’t tied to the Suns’ academy, Usher probably would’ve been this year’s No.1 pick. That’s despite missing the best part of the last two years with an ACL injury, followed up by a minor clean-up a few months ago. She might have to wait a little longer than expected to hear her name read out, but that will only add fuel to the fire. Usher believes she’s now a better athlete than before her injury and she wants to prove that to the AFLW.
PICK 8: GOLD COAST
(matching Collingwood bid)
Georja Davies
184cm utility, Gold Coast Academy
Like Usher, Davies would go higher in an open pool, given she’s said to be the best of all four sisters. Her versatility is also a big point of difference, having played in the ruck, on-ball and down back in the last two years.
PICK 9: COLLINGWOOD
Evie Cowcher
175cm defender, Peel Thunder
Cowcher is one of two West Australians invited to the official AFL function in Melbourne but she’s harder to place than Wolmarans. After being touted as a potential No.1 pick earlier in the year, a season-ending back stress fracture has turned a few clubs off. But Collingwood need elite young talent across every line and Cowcher looms as a draft bargain. Jordyn Allen could also be a chance to join her namesake at the Magpies.
PICK 10: GOLD COAST
(matching Essendon’s bid)
Dekota Baron
178cm key forward, Gold Coast Academy
The top 10 prospect had a slow start to the national championships due to a finger injury, but she’s still one of the most electric forwards in the draft pool when she’s up and running. A strong presence in attack and not many read the ball better than her.
PICK 11: GOLD COAST
(matching Essendon’s bid)
Alannah Welsh
169cm forward, Gold Coast Academy
When you think of Welsh, you think of class. She was named in the All-Australian side at the national championships and her delivery inside 50 will be a massive asset for the Suns.
PICK 12: ESSENDON
Chloe Baker-West
165cm midfielder, Calder Cannons
After dumping a Suns academy few bids, there are a few in the mix at the Bombers. The Bulldogs are believed to be keen on Baker-West with their first pick, but Essendon might beat them to her. It’s unlikely Evie Cowcher would get past the Bombers if she’s still on the board while fellow West Aussie Mia Russo has been linked.
PICK 13: GEELONG
Maggie Johnstone
171cm midfielder/forward, GWV Rebels
The Cats need midfield depth and speed, which is why they’ve been linked to Johnstone given her power around stoppages. It however, wouldn’t be a surprise if the Cats looked elsewhere. Baker-West is a strong contender if she gets through, while Jordyn Allen, Tayla McMillan and Mia Russo are also around the mark.
PICK 14: GOLD COAST
(matching Bulldogs’ bid)
Mikayla Nurse
166cm midfielder, Gold Coast Academy
The All-Australian has boosted her draft stocks this year thanks to more exposure on-ball. But equally, she’s one of the better outside runners in the draft, highlighted by her viral five-bounces during the QAWFL finals.
PICK 15: WESTERN BULLDOGS
Tayla McMillan
162cm midfielder, Eastern Ranges
There’s a few names likely to be in the mix here – Chloe Baker-West, Jordyn Allen, Priya Bowering, Mia Russo, Jade McLay and McMillan, so a midfielder seems like the logical selection. McMillan is a contested footy machine and would relish the chance to work with Ellie Blackburn.
PICK 16: MELBOURNE
Jordyn Allen
165cm defender, Eastern Ranges
Baker-West and McMillan would spark some conversation if they got through, but the Demons are believed to have taken a liking to Allen. The rebounding defender would develop nicely alongside All-Australian Maeve Chaplin and serve as an eventual replacement for Paxy Paxman.
PICK 17: PORT ADELAIDE
Sophie Eaton
170m utility, Central District
Rivals are tipping Port will stay local with its first pick and Eaton is the best of the Croweaters. Her season was cut short by injury, but she’s proven to be a balanced midfielder. There is some talk she could go even higher though which would change Port’s thinking.
PICK 18: SYDNEY
(matching Brisbane’s bid)
Maddie Quinn
187cm ruck, Sydney Swans Academy
Quinn may be a ruck, but she plays like a midfielder. She’s athletic, clean below her knees and strong overhead. Don’t be surprised if a bid comes earlier in the night, but armed with pick 28, the Swans won’t want to let Quinn slip through their fingers.
PICK 19: BRISBANE
Priya Bowering
167cm midfielder, Tasmania Devils
The Lions lost a bit of depth this trade period in Poppy Boltz (GWS), Ellie Hampson (Port Adelaide) and Taylor Smith (Brisbane). But Brisbane generally adopts a ‘best available’ approach and will be dictated by what happens further up the board. Lily Rose-Williamson should slot into Hampson’s role, while last year’s first round selection, Claudia Wright can replace Boltz. The Lions got shown up in the midfield in the grand final, which could point towards the likes of Mia Russo and Priya Bowering or even Jade McLay as a taller utility.
PICK 20: WEST COAST
Mia Russo
167cm midfielder, West Perth
In one of the lesser-known stories of the trade period, West Coast made a play for the No.1 pick with one player in mind – Olivia Wolmarans. While that tells us they’d love a power forward, the Eagles generally pick the next best available when it comes to the draft. Naturally, West Coast sees a lot of the WA girls up close and would find it hard to overlook Russo if she’s still available. Olivia Crane is the best defender on offer locally but the Eagles are stacked down back with Sophie McDonald set to return from the inactive list as well as Beth Schilling from a foot injury. For the Eagles, it’s set to be a case of seeing who slips through the chaos once they’re on the clock.
Originally published as Phantom Draft: How the top 20 picks could fall in the 2025 AFLW Draft
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