With the AFLW Trade and Sign period fast approaching, plenty of trade rumours are swirling, but what kinds of players should your club be targeting?
The 2020 season saw the AFLW become more competitive than ever before, with four new teams joining the league and a handful of clubs putting a hand up for premiership contention. But, with the end of every season—and this one came sooner than expected—comes player movement and list changes. The 2020 Trade and Sign period begins on Monday August 3rd and in this time clubs can sign up to 27 players, leaving three list spots for upcoming draftees.
So, what does your club need?
Adelaide Crows
2020 List
Sarah Allan, Najwa Allen, Chelsea Biddell, Hannah Button^, Nicole Campbell, Ailish Considine, Dayna Cox, Courtney Cramey, Angela Foley, Jess Foley, Renee Forth, Nikki Gore, Caitlin Gould, Courtney Gum, Anne Hatchard, Eloise Jones, Sophie Li, Ebony Marinoff, Montana McKinnon, Rhiannon Metcalfe, Justine Mules, Maisie Nankivell^, Madison Newman, Erin Phillips, Danielle Ponter, Marijana Rajcic, Chelsea Randall, Chloe Scheer, Jaimi Tabb, Stevie-Lee Thompson, Deni Varnhagen, Ruth Wallace^
Retirements
Courtney Cramey (forward), Jess Foley (ruck), Courtney Gum (midfielder), Sophie Li (midfielder)
Current draft picks
4, 20, 34
What they need
Adelaide still seem to be following the pattern of no Phillips, no Crows. A number of players due to return from injury in 2021 (Scheer and Button in particular) will no doubt help this, but some more depth should be targeted. Midfielders to cover the loss of Gum and Li, as well as support Hatchard and Marinoff is crucial. Strong, agile players who aren’t necessarily there to win the contested ball, but compliment the ball winning abilities of the Crows’ one-two punch. Bonus points if they can go forward and hit the scoreboard, too. Think: Georgia Gee, Kate Hore.
Brisbane Lions
2020 List
Alexandra Anderson, Lauren Arnell, Emily Bates, Lucy Bellinger, Greta Bodey, Shannon Campbell, Arianna Clarke, Gabby Collingwood, Sophie Conway, Dakota Davidson, Isabel Dawes, Jade Ellenger, Natalie Grider, Tahlia Hickie, Hannah Hillman, Jessy Keeffe, Breanna Koenan, Rheanne Lugg, Kate Lutkins, Brianna McFarlane, Maria Moloney, Orla O’Dwyer, Lily Postlethwaite, Selina Priest, Catherine Svarc, Jesse Tawhiao-Wardlaw, Sharni Webb, Jess Wuetschner, Jordan Zanchetta, Emma Zielke
Retirements
N/A
Current draft picks
8, 24, 38
What they need
The Lions started the 2020 season strong, but did fade as the weeks passed. This was partly due to the amount of senior experience they lost to expansion in the preceding off season. Some experienced heads to assist Bates in the midfield and Wuetschner up forward would be beneficial as the Lions look to develop the glut of young talent they’ve got. Think: Jess Dal Pos, Sarah Rowe.
Carlton Blues
2020 List
Lauren Brazzale, Chloe Dalton, Joanna Doonan, Alison Downie, Jess Edwards, Grace Egan, Georgia Gee, Serena Gibbs, Kerryn Harrington, Tayla Harris, Katie Harrison, Jess Hosking, Sarah Hosking, Courtney Jones, Vaomua Laloifi, Katie Loynes, Lucy McEvoy, Abbie McKay, Breann Moody, Natalie Plane, Gabriella Pound, Madison Prespakis, Nicola Stevens, Jayde Van Dyk, Brooke Vernon, Darcy Vescio, Brooke Walker, Sharnie Whiting, Charlotte Wilson, Emerson Woods
Retirements
N/A
Announced delistings
Joanne Doonan
Current draft picks
12, 28, 42
What they need
The Blues had one of the most balanced lists in the competition this year, so they don’t have too many holes to fill. This means they can look a little longer term with their list management. Finding a strong forward/ruck to develop would be ideal, particularly when considering Alison Downie’s age and Breann Moody being the only other ruck on their 2020 list. A winger/half forward with a classy kick wouldn’t go astray either, to better connect their strong midfield with a stacked forward line. Think: Molly McDonald, Roxy Roux.
Collingwood Magpies
2020 List
Sophie Alexander, Jordyn Allen, Kaila Bentvelzen, Brittany Bonnici, Ash Brazill, Lauren Butler, Mikala Cann, Sophie Casey, Steph Chiocci, Sarah D’Arcy, Sarah Dargan, Brianna Davey, Erica Fowler, Georgia Gourlay, Emma Grant, Eliza Hynes, Jaimee Lambert, Sharni Layton, Stacey Livingstone, Katie Lynch, Jordan Membrey, Chloe Molloy, Ebony O’Dea, Alana Porter, Machaelia Roberts, Sarah Rowe, Ruby Schleicher, Aishling Sharidan, Maddie Shevlin, Kristy Stratton
Retirements
Emma Grant (defender), Eliza Hynes (ruck)
Current draft picks
10, 26, 40
What they need
A marking and straight kicking forward to take charge inside 50. Collingwood’s lack of a reliable key forward was their glaring weakness this year, and very much seems to be the puzzle piece preventing them from joining the upper echelon of teams. Additionally, they’ll no doubt be on the hunt for a rebounding defender. After losing Jess Duffin two years ago, Emma Grant’s concussion issues and retirement and Ash Brazill’s ACL injury, their running defender stocks have been depleted. Think: Caitlin Greiser, Phoebe Monahan.
Fremantle Dockers
2020 List
Ebony Antonio, Kara Antonio, Kiara Bowers, Tayla Bresland, Steph Cain, Mia-Rae Clifford, Janelle Cuthbertson, Sabreena Duffy, Kate Flood, Sarah Garstone, Evangeline Gooch, Katie-Jayne Grieve, Gemma Houghton, Leah Mascall, Ann McMahon^, Hayley Miller, Emma O’Driscoll, Gabby O’Sullivan, Laura Pugh, Lindal Rohde, Roxy Roux, Matilda Sergeant, Philipa Seth, Ashley Sharp, Angelique Stannett, Jasmin Stewart, Mim Strom, Aine Tighe, Bianca Webb, Alex Williams
Retirements
N/A
Current draft picks
14, 30, 44
Related—Fremantle’s Undefeated Season with Hayley Miller
What they need
The only undefeated team of the year sits in a similar boat to Carlton. Their list doesn’t have any glaring holes to fill. The expected return of a number of players from injury only bolsters the Dockers further, including winger Steph Cain, defender Alex Williams and ruck Aine Tighe. Another key post in defence would be beneficial to allow Evangeline Gooch more freedom to use her bounce out of the back half. And, in an ideal world, a young wing/outside midfielder as a development project could be a great longer term prospect, as an opportunity to grow under Ebony Antonio. Think: Stacey Livingstone, Shelley Heath.
Geelong Cats
2020 List
Cassie Blakeway, Madeleine Boyd, Millie Brown, Rene Caris, Georgia Clarke, Richelle Cranston, Julie Crickett-Grills, Kate Darby, Renee Garing, Nicole Garner, Rebecca Goring, Danielle Higgins, Jordan Ivey, Madeline Keryk, Madisen Maguire, Amy McDonald, Meghan McDonald, Maddy McMahon, Phoebe McWilliams, Nina Morrison, Aasta O’Connor, Olivia Purcell, Georgie Rankin, Mia Skinner, Denby Taylor, Anna Teague, Sophie Van De Heuvel, Rebecca Webster, Gemma Wright
Retirements
Melissa Hickey (defender/midfielder)
Current draft picks
5, 21, 35
What they need
A marking key forward. The Cats really struggled to score this year, and while Kate Darby and Phoebe McWilliams started to solve that a little later in the season, a reliable player who can start in the goal square and lead to their strong midfield group would improve their structures immensely. Another defender who can win one-on-ones would also help cover the loss of Hickey, who showed her strength in defensive battles this year. Think: Shelley Scott, Pepa Randall.
Gold Coast Suns
2020 List
Lauren Ahrens, Lauren Bella, Georgia Breward, Hannah Dunn, Tiarna Ernst, Tori Groves-Little, Alexia Hamilton, Charlotte Hammans, Cheyenne Hammond, Ellie Hampson, Dee Heslop, Jasmyn Hewett, Jordann Hickey, Kalinda Howarth, Leah Kaslar, Paige Parker, Brittany Perry, Emma Pittman, Jade Pregelj, Sally Riley, Molly Ritson, Maddy Roberts, Taylor Smith, Jamie Stanton, Kate Surman, Tayla Thorn, Sam Virgo, Serene Watson, Kitara Whap-Farrar, Jacqui Yorston
Retirements
N/A
Current draft picks
7, 23, 37
What they need
While the Suns were absolutely a highlight of the 2020 season, it was their first year and they were exposed in a few areas. The asset they missed most was a calm decision maker and clean kick on the wing. This would compliment their strong contested midfield and help them exit defence—which proved tough for them at times. A tall forward wouldn’t go astray either, for their contingent of smalls to crumb off. Think: Steph Chiocci, Rebecca Privitelli.
Greater Western Sydney Giants
2020 List
Jess Allan, Jacinda Barclay, Nicola Barr, Rebecca Beeson, Elle Bennetts, Yvonne Bonner, Ellie Brush, Jess Dal Pos, Taylah Davies, Alicia Eva, Georgia Garnett, Emily Goodsir, Maggie Gorham, Sarah Halvorsen, Tanya Hetherington, Jodie Hicks, Annalyse Lister, Tait Mackrill, Erin McKinnon, Ingrid Nielson, Alyce Parker, Rebecca Privitelli, Pepa Randall, Aimee Schmidt, Cora Staunton, Lisa Steane, Louise Stephenson, Britt Tully, Lisa Whiteley, Haneen Zreika
Retirements
Amanda Farrugia (midfielder/defender)
Current draft picks
9, 25, 39
Related—Tait Mackrill on the AFLW benchmark rising, the Giants’ midfield depth and persistence
What they need
Outside midfielders who read the play well. The Giants have a herd of talented inside midfielders, but too often those players dump kick out of a contest or handball to a teammate under pressure because they don’t have a running outlet. This would maximise the efforts of players like Parker, Eva and Dal Pos. Think: Hayley Miller, Chloe Dalton.
Melbourne Demons
2020 List
Libby Birch, Gabrielle Colvin, Harriet Cordner, Tegan Cunningham, Meg Downie, Chantal Emonson, Maddison Gay, Sinead GOldrick, Madeline Guerin, Tyla Hanks, Shelley Heath, Kate Hore, Bianca Jakobsson^, Ainslie Kemp, Sarah Lampard, Niamh McEvoy, Lily Mithen, Aliesha Newman, Elise O’Dea, Jacqueline Parry, Karen Paxman, Daisy Pearce, Lauren Pearce, Krstel Petrevski, Shelley Scott, Casey Sherriff, Shae Sloane, Katherine Smith, Brenna Tarrant, Eden Zanker
Retirements
N/A
Current draft picks
11, 27, 41
What they need
No injuries for one thing. But, in terms of players, a winger with a cool head who can make the right decisions going forward. Kicks inside 50 have been an issue for Melbourne for a number of years, and in an effort to rectify this they’ve robbed their forward line of firepower (for example, moving Kate Hore to the wing). Connecting a string midfield with their known goalkickers inside 50 is key. Think: Grace Egan, Ebony Antonio.
North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos
2020 List
Sophie Abbatangelo, Kaitlyn Ashmore, Daria Bannister, Daisy Bateman, Nicole Bresnehan, Jenna Bruton, Jess Duffin^, Jasmine Garner, Ellie Gavalas, Brittany Gibson, Katherine Gillespie-Jones, Aileen Gilroy, Abbey Green, Jasmine Grierson, Chloe Haines, Libby Haines, Danielle Hardiman, Emma Humphries, Emma Kearney, Elisha King, Emma King, Mia King, Beth Lynch, Taylor Mesiti, Tahni Nestor, Tahlia Randall, Ashleigh Riddell, Vivien Saad, Mairead Seoighe, Jess Trend, Sarah Wright
Retirements
Taylor Mesiti (defender)
Announced delistings
Chloe Haines, Libby Haines, Mairead Seoighe
Current draft picks
13, 29, 43
What they need
North Melbourne’s list is an exceptionally flexible one, with utilities like Vivien Saad, Abbey Green and even Kate Gillespie-Jones allowing them a lot of in game changes when needed. That being said, another tall forward wouldn’t go astray given the times this year where Saad was exposed in the ruck yet there was a reluctance to move Emma King out of the goal square. One more tall who has sure hands in the air would solidify them as a team. Think: Kate Shierlaw, Gemma Houghton.
Richmond Tigers
2020 List
Laura Bailey, Christina Bernardi, Madeline Brancatisano, Katie Brennan, Hannah Burchell, Nekaela Butler, Grace Campbell, Monique Conti, Kate Dempsey, Alice Edmonds, Ciara Fitzgerald, Sabrina Frederick, Emily Harley, Emma Horne, Kodi Jacques, Akec Makur Chuot, Laura McClelland, Rebecca Miller, Sophie Molan, Phoebe Monahan, Iilish Ross, Sarah Sansonetti, Cleo Saxon-Jones, Gabby Seymour, Tayla Stahl, Lauren Tesoriero, Courtney Wakefield, Holly Whitford, Ella Wood, Alana Woodward
Retirements
Laura Bailey (defender/forward), Lauren Tesoriero (midfielder)
Current draft picks
1, 15*, 17, 31
What they need
No big names, the Tigers desperately need consistent, reliable, experienced role players—particularly in the midfield and forward line. Players who can do the grunt work and bring their teammates into games, who look to make space for teammates, who do more without the ball than they do with it. They’re also the only side currently without a coach, and would be remiss not to target ex-North Melbourne coach Scott Gowans. Think: Nat Exon, Hannah Scott.
St Kilda Saints
2020 List
Alison Brown, Rosie Dillon, Alison Drennan, Nat Exon, Clara Fitzpatrick, Caitlin Greiser, Darcy Guttridge, Sammie Johnson, Selena Karlson, Poppy Kelly, Melissa Kuys, Tilly Lucas-Rodd, Tamara Luke, Emma Mackie, Kate McCarthy, Molly McDonald, Courteney Munn, Kelly O’Neill, Georgia Patrikios, Catherine Phillips, Hannah Priest, Jess Sedunary, Isabella Shannon, Kate Shierlaw, Olivia Vesely, Nadia von Bertouch, Rhiannon Watt, Tarni White, Claudia Whitfort, Nicola Xenos
Retirements
Emma Mackie (midfielder/forward)
Current draft picks
6, 22, 36
What they need
More outside speed. The Saints’ game style was very clear this season and it was highly effective until Kate McCarthy went down with a knee injury, As their main speedster on the wing—the most crucial part of their attacking game—they found themselves often locked in defence without a quick rebounding option. More depth in this area would make the Saints even harder to contain. Think: Kaitlyn Ashmore, Aleisha Newman.
West Coast Eagles
2020 List
Ashlee Atkins, Kate Bartlett, Emily Bonser, Mikayla Bowen, Hayley Bullas, Imahra Cameron, Mhicca Carter, Melissa Caulfield, Maddie Collier, Cassie Davidson, Rosie Deegan^, Beatrice Devlyn, McKenzie Dowrick, Kellie Gibson, Andrea Gilmore, Brianna Green, Courtney Guard, Ashton Hill, Dana Hooker, Alicia Janz, Grace Kelly, Niamh Kelly, Parris Laurie, Sophie McDonald, Emily McGuire, Katherine Orme, Chantella Perera, Danika Pisconeri, Talia Radan, Belinda Smith, Emma Swanson, Tarnee Tester
Retirements
N/A
Current draft picks
2, 16*, 18, 32
What they need
A tall/small forward duo that work well together. The Eagles were a better team in 2020 than their one win suggests, but they absolutely broke down inside 50 with so few commanding forwards in the side. Someone who can at least equal the contest in the air and an agile small who gets to the fall of the ball and is quick to react would give the Eagles something to build their forward line around. Think: Tayla Harris and Darcy Vescio.
Western Bulldogs
2020 List
Deanna Berry, Ellie Blackburn, Eleanor Brown, Nicole Callinan, Naomi Ferres, Ellyse Gamble, Elisabeth Georgostathis, Angelica Gogos, Isabella Grant, Ashleigh Guest, Britney Gutknecht, Katy Herron, Bailey Hunt, Isabel Huntington, Gemma Lagioia, Kirsty Lamb, Brooke Lochland, Danielle Marshall, Aisling McCarthy, Kirsten McLeod, Celine Moody, Nell Morris-Dalton, Hannah Munyard, Gabby Newton, Kimberly Rennie, Hannah Scott, Lauren Spark, Bonnie Toogood, Amelia van Oosterwijck
Retirements
Nicole Callinan (midfielder), Aisling Utri (midfielder)
Current draft picks
3, 19, 33
What they need
Midfield support for Ellie Blackburn and Kirsten McLeod. Contested inside midfielders who can help alleviate the pressure would go a long way toward the Dogs’ ability to adapt in-game, and also provide insurance should they be hit with injuries to the midfield. Think: Karen Paxman, Alyce Parker.
^Inactive in 2020
*Priority draft pick, must be traded