AFLW 2023: Where every club is placed entering season eight
From list changes to rising star predictions, see where every club is placed on the eve of the new AFL Women’s season.
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The start of season eight of AFLW is just days away.
Who will rise up the ladder, who could slide and which players will be making headlines this season?
See where your club is placed below.
ADELAIDE
Captain: Chelsea Randall
Coach: Matthew Clarke
Ins: Sarah Goodwin (Port Adelaide), Taylah Levy (USA), Jessica Allen (GWS), Yvonne Bonner (Ireland), Brooke Smith (replacement)
Outs: Ashleigh Saint (Port Adelaide), Jasmine Simmons (Port Adelaide), Ailish Considine (delisted), Marijana Rajcic (retired), Dayna Cox (retired), Jasmyn Hewett (delisted)
Last year: Preliminary Final (eight wins)
Last season: 3rd (8-2)
Star power: Anne Hatchard – There are few more damaging players than the star Crows midfielder when she gets the ball in hand. She’s won the last two Club Champion awards at West Lakes and is primed for another big year.
Rising star: Sarah Goodwin – The 19-year-old played just five games at Port Adelaide, but could have a big role for the Crows after making the switch between the fierce rivals. An attacking defender, Goodwin played well in the trial games and could feature prominently for Adelaide.
Expected finish: 3rd–6th. The Crows have had a stranglehold on the AFLW but could this be the year where it starts to loosen? The rest of the competition has gotten better and the Crows have lost an All-Australian in Saint. But despite this they should be up in the pointy end and if their rejigged forward line can fire then don’t count them out.
BRISBANE LIONS
Captain: Breanna Koenen
Coach: Craig Starcevich
Ins: Ellie Hampson, Jade Pregelj (Suns), Jennifer Dunne (Rookie, Ireland), Courtney Murphy (Rookie), Poppy Boltz (Pick 16), Brooke Sheridan (Lions Academy), Caitlin Wendland (SANFL), Analea McKee (Geelong VFLW)
Outs: Emily Bates, Greta Bodey (Hawthorn), Jesse Wardlaw (St Kilda), Lulu Pullar (North Melbourne), Gabby Collingwood, Ava Seton, Maggie Harmer (delisted), Sharni Webb (retired), Luka Yoshida-Martin, Kate Lutkins, Zimmorlei Farquharson (inactive)
Last season: 1st (9-1), GF runner-up
Star power: It’s hard to go past the reigning AFLW best-and-fairest Ally Anderson, who has scope to elevate her game even further this season if you ask those around the club. Inside midfielder Belle Dawes has starred in pre-season and is one who could take a big leap forward in 2023.
Rising stars: Poppy Boltz is one to watch through the middle of the ground this season. The former AFL Cairns best-and-fairest and 2022 QAFLW Team of the Season representative was taken by the Lions with pick 16 in the most recent supplemental draft. Her height (178cm) will make her a valuable utility around the ground when not running in the midfield.
Expected finish: 1st-4th
CARLTON
Captain: Kerryn Harrington
Coach: Mathew Buck
Ins: Harriet Cordner (Richmond), Tahlia Read (Fremantle), Dayna Finn, Erone Fitzpatrick (Ireland), Lulu Betty (Pick 5), Madeline Hendrie (Pick 9), Marianna Anthony (Pick 19), Chloe Wringley (Pick 25), Gen Lawson-Tavan (replacement)
Outs: Lucy McEvoy (Sydney), Natalie Plane (St Kilda), Serena Gibbs (Fremantle), Brooke Walker (Essendon)
Last season: 14th (2-6-2)
Star power: Mimi Hill is a previous rising star winner who will be on the march again. Having a full season seven under her belt in the wake of an ACL injury will only strengthen the young gun, who is set to rise to a new level alongside the likes of foundation star Darcy Vescio and stoic skipper Kerryn Harrington.
Rising star: Keeley Skepper. A first-round draft pick in last year’s national draft, Skepper is noted for her versatility and played every game last season. Will only continue to improve.
Expected finish: 4th-8th
COLLINGWOOD
Captain: Brianna Davey
Coach: Steve Symonds
Ins: Tarni White (St Kilda), Grace Campbell (North Melbourne), Nell Morris-Dalton (Western Bulldogs), Eleri Morris (Pick 13), Selena Karlson (Pick 14)
Outs: Chloe Molloy (Sydney), Steph Chiocci, Jaimee Lambert (St Kilda), Jordan Membrey (Gold Coast), El Chaston, Abbi Moloney (delisted), Alison Downie (retired)
Last season: 6th (7-3)
Star power: Star midfielder and captain Brianna Davey is back after a harrowing knee injury, having completed her recovery alongside fellow ballwinner, Brittany Bonnici. Fresh from a Diamonds World Cup victory in South Africa, Ash Brazill will be back in defence while previous All-Australian Ruby Schleicher always catches the eye. But Chloe Molloy is a huge loss.
Rising stars: Nell-Morris Dalton comes across from the Western Bulldogs after big wraps early, while Tarni White is expected to be a very handy addition for the Pies.
Expected finish: 4th-8th
ESSENDON
Captains: Bonnie Toogood and Steph Cain
Coach: Natalie Wood
Ins: Brooke Brown (North Melbourne), Kodi Jacques (Richmond), Brooke Walker (Carlton), Georgia Clarke (Geelong), Leah Cutting (St Kilda), Matilda Dyke (replacement)
Outs: None
Last season: 10th (4-6)
Star power: The Bombers are led from the front with previous league best-and-fairest winner Maddy Prespakis doing the grunt work in the middle. Skippers Bonnie Toogood and Steph Cain bring experience and level heads, with the Bombers set to benefit from a full pre-season.
Rising stars: Paige Scott caught eyes in the Bombers’ first season, earned a rising star nomination and also featured in this year’s VFL campaign. Definitely one to keep a close eye on.
Expected finish: 8th-12th
FREMANTLE
Captain: Hayley Miller
Coach: Lisa Webb
Ins: Serena Gibbs (Carlton), Tahleah Mulder (Pick 3), Emmelie Fiedler (Pick 7), Jae Flynn (Pick 17), Joanne Cregg (21), Ariana Hetherington (injury replacement)
Outs: Janelle Cuthbertson (Port Adelaide), Amy Franklin (West Coast), Kara Antonio (retired), Bianca Webb and Matilda Sergeant (both delisted)
Last season: 12th (three wins)
Star power: Kiara Bowers – There’s no bigger name in WA women’s footy than the AFLW Best-and-Fairest and four-time club champion. Bowers was back to her blistering best last year, somehow compiling an even better season seven than when was crowned the AFLW’s best player. She’s a contested beast, loves a tackle and continues to improve her outside game. Will need to find another gear again to spearhead Fremantle’s push back up the ladder.
Rising star: Madeleine Scanlon – The mature-age draftee played just four games last season before a wrist issue ended her year early. The running defender has been a key part of Fremantle’s backline this pre-season and despite coming to football later in life, the 22-year-old’s intercept ability and understanding of the game has her firmly in round one contention.
Expected finish: 6th–12th. The Dockers are one of the harder teams to place heading into the season under new coach Lisa Webb. Fremantle’s strengths are obvious and the Dockers intend to play to them with a new-look game style that revolves around speed and skill. Two pre-season wins over West Coast and Collingwood suggest that the Dockers will improve this season. By how much? We’ll soon find out. Fremantle still has the talent. But any teething issues under Webb will need to be ironed out quickly if the Dockers are to return to finals.
GOLD COAST
Captain: Tara Bohanna
Coach: Cameron Joyce
Ins: Darcie Davies (Northern Academy pre-selection), Maddy Brancatisano (Richmond), Clara Fitzpatrick (St Kilda), Ella Maurer (North Melbourne), Niamh McLaughlin (Ireland), Cara McCrossan (Pick 6), Jordan Membrey (Collingwood), Meara Girvan (Pick 10)
Outs: Ashlee Atkins (retired), Annise Bradfield (delisted), Shannon Danckert (delisted), Tori Groves-Little (delisted), Ellie Hampson (Brisbane), Jade Pregelj (delisted), Krystal Scott (retired), Serene Watson (St Kilda)
Last season: 9th (5-5)
Star power: Charlie Rowbottom will hurt someone this year. The 2021 No.1 selection has a unique combination of power and finesse that could catapult her into the upper echelon of players this season. She finished last year at a flourish and looks to have taken her game to another level.
Rising stars: Alana Gee missed the entirety of her debut season due to a back injury but is now at full fitness and ready to show why she was so highly rated by the Suns as an Academy product. The 19-year-old is clean as they come at ground level and has an opposite foot the envy of any player. Once she adjusts to the level, which shouldn’t take long, Gee will be a star.
Expected finish: 8th-12th
GEELONG
Captain: Meg McDonald
Coach: Dan Lowther
Ins: Kate Surman (Port Adelaide), Aishling Moloney, Anna-Rose Kennedy (Ireland), Erin Hoare (Pick 1)
Outs: Maddy Keryk (Port Adelaide), Laura Gardiner (Sydney), Georgia Clarke, Kalani Scoullar (delisted), Maddy McMahon (retired)
Last season: 5th (7-3)
Star power: Chloe Scheer proved a strong target up forward and expect her to thrive again. Nina Morrison and Georgie Prespakis are one of the strongest one-two punches in the competition, while Amy McDonald – the team’s reigning best-and-fairest winner – took things to a new level last season. Look out.
Expected finish: 4th-8th
GWS GIANTS
Captain: Alicia Eva
Coach: Cameron Bernasconi
Ins: Caitlin Miller (Pick 8), Anise Bradfield (Pick 22), Teagan Germech (replacement)
Outs: Georgina Fowler (Melbourne), Jess Allen (Adelaide), Cora Staunton (retired)
Last season: 11th (4-6)
Star power: Alyce Parker – A two-time All-Australian, Parker had a quieter season seven, but will be key if the Giants want to rise back up into finals contention. She played a bit more forward of the ball in their pre-season win over Richmond, but will be central to Bernasconi’s midfield plans.
Rising star: Zarlie Goldsworthy – After eight games last season, Goldsworthy has been tipped as the player to watch in 2023. The 18-year-old forward looked in great form against the Tigers in their final pre-season game and has big shoes to fill with the retirement of Cora Staunton.
Expected finish: 6th-10th – The Giants will be confident of a far more competitive season and their core squad is relatively the same.
HAWTHORN
Captain: Tilly Lucas-Rodd
Coach: Bec Goddard
Ins: Emily Bates (Brisbane), Greta Bodey (Brisbane), Mattea Breed (Pick 4), Kristy Stratton (Pick 18), Casey Dumont (Soccer)
Outs: Eliza Shannon (North Melbourne), Jess Duffin (retired), Kate McCarthy, Isabelle Porter, Dominique Carbone (delisted)
Last season: 15th (3-7)
Star power: Two of the biggest off-season signings headline the new-look Hawks, with premiership Lions Emily Bates and Greta Bodey leading the charge. The Hawks had been hunting big names and finally landed the pair, who will drastically change the look of the team.
Rising stars: Jasmine Fleming – a rising star nominee last season and early draft pick, Fleming continues to go from strength to strength and is, according to Bates, one of the best young talents the game has ever seen. Juggled Year 12 and football last season but is now focused firmly on the Sherrin. Can’t wait.
Expected finish: 8th-12th
MELBOURNE
Captain: Kate Hore
Coach: Mick Stinear
Ins: Georgina Fowler (GWS), Aimee Mackin (Ireland), Saraid Taylor (replacement)
Outs: Daisy Pearce (retired), Sabreena Duffy, Alison Brown, Ella Little, Maggie Caris (delisted)
Last season: Premiers
Star power: Where to start? The Demons held onto all bar one of their premiership stars, with skipper Daisy Pearce the only player to depart from the victorious group after retiring. Kate Hore now leads the group and alongside Tayla Harris form a powerful force up forward. Tyla Hanks and Lily Mithen are in and under while All-Australian Libby Birch is in defence. They’re dangerous on every line.
Rising stars: Maeve Chaplin is highly-rated by those inside the Dees and will only continue to develop her game after an impressive season seven campaign.
Expected finish: 1st-4th
NORTH MELBOURNE
Captain: Emma Kearney
Coach: Darren Crocker
Ins: Kate Shierlaw (St Kilda), Eliza Shannon (Hawthorn), Lulu Pullar (Brisbane), Liz McGrath (Port Adelaide), Lucy Burke (St Kilda), Ailish Considine (Adelaide), Niamh Martin (Ireland), Ruby Tripodi (Pick 23)
Outs: Brooke Brown (Essendon), Grace Campbell (Collingwood), Ella Maurer (Gold Coast), Sophie Abbatangelo (delisted), Grace Matser (delisted), Perri King (delisted)
Last season: 8th (6-3-1)
Star power: Emma Kearney continues to influence in what is set to be her eighth season of AFLW, with the star champing at the bit to make amends for last season’s disappointing finish. Jasmine Garner remains one of the game’s best-moving forwards with Ash Riddell set to be a prolific ballwinner once again.
Rising stars: While she is one of the game’s most experienced players, Kate Shierlaw’s first season at the Roos will be interesting as she combines with fellow talls Emma King and Tahlia Randall. Keep an eye out for Alice O’Loughlin, who will skirt their feet to find the footy.
Expected finish: 4th-8th
PORT ADELAIDE
Captain: Erin Phillips
Coach: Lauren Arnell
Ins: Ashleigh Saint (Adelaide), Maddy Keryk (Geelong), Jasmine Simmons (Adelaide), Janelle Cuthbertson (Fremantle), Matilda Scholz (priority), Jasmine Stewart (Pick 2), Katelyn Pope (Pick 12), Georgie Jaques (Pick 15)
Outs: Kate Surman (Geelong), Sarah Goodwin (Adelaide), Brittany Perry, Tessa Doumanis, Liz McGrath (delisted)
Last season: 17th 1-9
Star power: Ashleigh Saint – The All-Australian forward and leading AFLW goalkicker in 2022 has crossed the great divide in South Australia and the Power will be hoping she can be the spearhead it needs to climb up the ladder.
Rising star: Matilda Scholz – There’s a lot of excitement both in and outside of Alberton about the 18-year-old daughter of Australian netball representative Peta Squire. The Power were able to take her as an underage player and expect her to contribute early on in her debut season. She is a really good overhead mark, has a serious spring as a ruck but also impresses around the ground.
Expected finish: 13th to 15th – Expect the Power to gain some ground after just the one win in their debut season. Port Adelaide have recruited well, with two All-Australians in Saint and Cuthbertson, while there is plenty of excitement about Scholz. Port has already looked to improve based off its results in pre-season with two wins.
RICHMOND
Captain: Katie Brennan
Coach: Ryan Ferguson
Ins: Caitlin Greiser (St Kilda), Courtney Jones (Gold Coast), Molly Eastman (Sydney), Shelby Knoll (Pick 24), Lilly Pearce (replacement), Charlie Wicksteed (replacement)
Outs: Kodi Jacques (Essendon), Harriet Cordner (Carlton), Maddy Brancatisano (Gold Coast), Courtney Wakefield (retired), Hannah Burchell, Sophie Molan, Saraid Taylor (delisted)
Last season: 4th (7-2-1)
Star power: Monique Conti was hotly-tipped by AFLW captains to take out this year’s league best-and-fairest award, and rightly so. She remains one of the game’s hottest players and when she’s on, the basketballer is difficult to stop with her speed and touch.
Rising stars: Grace Egan is looking to reinvigorate at Richmond, while ruck Poppy Kelly will be hopeful she can leave her run of injury behind for a real look at what she’s capable of.
Expected finish: 4th-8th
ST KILDA
Captain: Hannah Priest
Coach: Nick Dal Santo
Ins: Stephanie Chiocci, Jaimee Lambert (Collingwood), Nat Plane (Carlton), Jesse Wardlaw (Brisbane), Serene Watson (Gold Coast), Bethany Pinchin (Pick 20), Maddie Boyd (replacement)
Outs: Tarni White (Collingwood), Kate Shierlaw (North Melbourne), Caitlin Greiser (Richmond), Clara Fitzpatrick (Gold Coast), Leah Cutting (delisted), Lucy Burke (delisted), Jess Matin (delisted)
Last season: 13th (3-7)
Star power: Jesse Wardlaw was the biggest off-season addition to the team’s line-up, bringing All-Australian nods and a premiership under her belt to Moorabbin. A prime forward target whose goalkicking ability is second to none. Jaimee Lambert will be a welcome addition to the midfield.
Rising stars: Wardlaw’s forward counterpart Grace Kelly could threaten if she can find some much-needed luck with injury.
Expected finish: 8th-12th
SYDNEY
Captains: Chloe Molloy and Lucy McEvoy
Coach: Scott Gowans
Ins: Chloe Molloy (Collingwood), Lucy McEvoy (Carlton), Laura Gardiner (Geelong), Hayley Bullas (West Coast), Paris McCarthy, Jennifer Higgins, Julie O’Sullivan (Ireland), Tayna Kennedy (replacement)
Outs: Molly Eastman (Richmond)
Last season: 18th (0-10)
Star power: Chloe Molloy – The big-name recruit from Collingwood has had a big impact already at the Swans, being voted as one of their co-captains. An industrious forward and elite ball user, she’s already setting the standards for Sydney in their second season.
Rising star: Ally Morphett – The 19-year-old ruck played nine matches for Sydney last year but has had a big pre-season and looks set to take her game to the next level.
Expected finish: 9th-12th – The Swans are focused on getting their first win but the early signs in pre-season suggest they will be a lot more competitive in 2023. Their win over Carlton showed that they have a game plan that can match it with the best teams in the competition.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Captain: Ellie Blackburn
Coach: Nathan Burke
Ins: Dominique Carruthers (Pick 11), Maggie Gorham, Brianna McFarlane (free agent), Maggie Gorham (free agent)
Outs: Nell Morris-Dalton (Collingwood), Brooke Vernon (retired), Amanda Ling (delisted), Annabel Strahan (delisted)
Last season: 7th (7-3)
Star power: Skipper Ellie Blackburn has long been one of the game’s premier midfielders and after rebuffing strong interest from Sydney at the end of last season, will again be a fixture of the Bulldogs’ engine room. Offsider Kirsty Lamb will be right there alongside her, while Kirsten McLeod is also set to return after a second consecutive cruel injury lay-off.
Rising stars: Draftee Dom Carruthers is a speedy inside midfielder who is yet to debut, while Brianna McFarlane gets another crack at AFLW after being signed at Brisbane but cruelled by injury. She is a strong marking target.
Expected finish: 8th-12th
WEST COAST
Captain: Emma Swanson
Coach: Michael Prior
Ins: Amy Franklin (Fremantle)
Outs: Hayley Bullas (Sydney), Emily Bennett, Imahra Cameron, Ashleigh Gomes (all delisted)
Last season: 16th (2-8)
Star power: Emma Swanson – The captain has been in rare air across the last two seasons, taking her game to another level in the midfield. The aggressive midfielder averaged 21.5 disposals, 5.5 clearances and 5.3 tackles last season, narrowly missing out on a maiden All-Australian berth. Her leadership continues to grow and she’s been West Coast’s best player by a fair margin.
Rising star: Courtney Rowley – The 19-year-old had a breakout season last year and the early signs are that the midfielder is set to get better again. Slightly built and standing at just 163cm, Rowley has hit the gym over summer and continues to push for an inside midfield berth.
Expected finish: 7th–12th – This is West Coast’s year to take a stand. Serial underperformers since entering the competition in 2020, the Eagles have been set back by instability. That’s now changed. West Coast retained 29 players between seasons, its lowest turnover since inception, and added highly touted key forward Amy Franklin from cross-town rivals Fremantle. With an easy draw and plenty of young talent, finals should be a pass mark for Michael Prior’s side.
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Originally published as AFLW 2023: Where every club is placed entering season eight
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