The AFLW trade period has come and gone and now the AFLW draft takes centre stage.
The 2025 AFLW Draft is almost upon us, with young guns ready to realise their footy dreams and AFL clubs ready to recruit the next wave of stars.
From start times to a bidding system explainer, plus the top prospects to watch, here’s everything you need to know in our 2025 AFLW Draft Ultimate Guide!
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WHEN IS THE 2025 AFLW DRAFT, HOW CAN I WATCH IT AND WHAT TIME WILL IT START?
The 2025 AFLW national draft will be held on Monday December 15, with coverage beginning from 7pm (AEDT).
Fox Footy, via Channel 504 and streaming on Kayo Sports, has exclusive broadcast rights for the draft this year.
You can also follow the AFLW draft live on foxfooty.com.au, along with Fox Footy’s social media channels, with analysis of every pick and every club.
Every club must take at least two selections into the draft.
After 60 players were taken in the 2024 AFLW draft, around 45 to 50 are set to be taken on Monday night.
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HOW DOES THE AFLW DRAFT WORK?
All 18 clubs earn draft picks, which are based on the reverse finishing order from the previous AFLW season.
Many picks, however, change hands during the AFLW trade period. For instance this year, Pick 17 was initially held by Melbourne before going through the hands of Gold Coast and Brisbane, before finally landing at Adelaide.
There’s also an extra pick in the first round after the GWS Giants were handed a first-round compensation selection (Pick 3) as part of an AFL assistance package.
On draft night, the clubs select in order, adding the best young or mature-aged talent that aren’t already on AFLW lists.
An exception is when bids on father-daughter and academy prospects that are linked to certain clubs are made. Those clubs can then choose to match those bids made by a rival club by using one of their own picks within 18 selections of the nomination.
Last year, Geelong placed a bid on Carlton father-daughter Sophie McKay at Pick 17, but the Blues were able to match it with a later pick to secure McKay’s services.
HOW DOES THE AFLW DRAFT BIDDING SYSTEM WORK?
Unlike in the men’s draft — where a Draft Value Index is used to allocate points to draft picks — the AFLW system is far less complex.
Any club can place a bid on a northern academy or father-daughter selection. If the club tied to that player wants to match the bid for that player, they must do so a pick they own — and it must be within 18 selections of the bid. For instance, if Sunny Lappin was the first Suns academy prospect to attract a bid at Pick 5 and Gold Coast wanted to match, it must use a selection between Picks 6 and 23. The Suns, after the trade period, hold Picks 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23, so they’d comfortably match using Pick 19.
You’ll often see in the men’s draft that clubs can package up a host of later picks (that sometimes won’t be used) for a top-end talent, but this formula for the women’s means that clubs will have to ‘pay’ something close to their ‘true’ value.
WHO ARE THE BEST PLAYERS IN THE DRAFT AND WHAT ARE THE KEY STORYLINES?
Who will Tigers take with pick 1?
Richmond targeted Pick 1 during the trade period and struck a deal with the Suns to land the coveted first selection. The Tigers rate three players above all others in the pool, but there’s a growing belief they’ll pounce on Northern Knights product Scarlett Johnson — a versatile defender/wing who put together a strong campaign for the Knights and Vic Metro. Her stocks were only boosted during the national combine, where she produced three top-10 finishes in the 20m sprint, agility test and running vertical jump.
Scarlett Johnson of the Knights. Picture: Rob Lawson/AFL PhotosSource: Getty Images
Oakleigh Chargers star Chloe Bown and Subiaco key forward Olivia Wolmarans are the other players in Richmond’s Pick 1 mix.
Bown won just about everything possible in her draft year, dominating for the Chargers, Metro and AFLW Academy. She’s a beast around the coalface, can kick on both sides of her body and loves to hit the scoreboard. A hard-worker with a strong footy IQ, Bown has plenty of upside at the top level.
Wolmarans is the best open pool key position player, blessed with pure athleticism and strong aerial ability. She’s fast, agile and has a booming kick.
When will the bids come?
The Giants, who currently hold Picks 2 and 3, will consider taking the two players Richmond ultimately overlooks.
But they’re also being widely tipped to place bids — and not on any Suns academy players.
Instead, the Giants have interest in two Sydney academy prospects: Athletic utility Alex Neyland and midfielder Kiera Yerbury. Some rival clubs believe the Giants will ‘double bid’ with their early back-to-back selections. If that happens, the Swans would only be able to match for one player, considering only one of their first two selections (Picks 18 and 28) would be in the 18-pick matching range.
Sources believe the Swans are prepared to match for Neyland, but would allow another club to take Yerbury. However that will likely allow the Swans to use Pick 28 to match for a third academy player in ruck Maddie Quinn, who’s been strongly linked to Brisbane (Pick 11).
Then the attention will come for Gold Coast’s stacked crop of Academy talent.
Sunny Lappin of Queensland during the Marsh AFL National Championships. Picture: Mark Brake/AFL Photos/via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
Sunny Lappin — the daughter of All-Australian Matthew Lappin — is widely expected to attract a bid first from Adelaide (Pick 4).
Then all of Ava Usher, Georja Davies, Dekota Baron and Alannah Welsh could have their names called out by either Collingwood (Pick 5) or Essendon (Pick 6), with a Welsh bid a chance to slip a bit later. A sixth Suns academy prospect in Mikayla Nurse is now widely expected to be matched in the first round, too.
Is this bidding system better?
We’ve detailed the variations between the women’s and men’s draft bidding systems above, but again it looks as though the Gold Coast Suns will be big winners on draft night.
Usher, Davies, Lappin, Baron and Welsh all genuinely have top-10 claims. Then there’s Nurse, Rhianna Ingram, Annabelle Foat and Bronte Parker. That’s eight girls who could all find progress from the Academy to the senior side in this draft alone.
There were two figures in particular who have played a key role within the Academy including ex-AFL player Rhyce Shaw, who now coaches the Suns’ AFLW side, and assistant coach Sam Isles.
“It wasn’t a big thing, but now it’s trending up there. It’s so important and a reason why the Suns have so many good girls coming through. He made us feel wanted and I think that was really important,” Davies said of Isles to foxfooty.com.au.
She said of Shaw: “Seeing someone love the game as much as he does, you don’t see someone so obsessed on the Gold Coast often. It’s good to see what an actual footy fanatic is.”
Erin Phillips with Suns AFLW coach Rhyce Shaw after being appointed Gold Coast Suns general manager of women’s football. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
Who are the other top prospects to watch?
Overall, 15 players have been invited to attend draft night, which is usually a solid indication they’ll be taken in the first round.
Of the aforementioned players, Johnson, Wolmarans, Bown, Neyland, Yerbury, Lappin, Usher, Davies, Baron and Welsh will be there.
The other top-end bolter is SA star midfielder Imogen Trengove, who’s been invited amid interest from both Collingwood and Adelaide. Initially it was thought the Crows would consider her with one of their later first-round selections (Picks 13 and 17), but there’s strong Trengove-Magpies mail at Pick 5, so would the Crows pounce at Pick 4 instead?
Elsewhere, Calder Cannons on-baller Chloe Baker-West has been invited, with strong links to being selected by one of Essendon or the Western Bulldogs to attend draft night. Baker-West is a ball magnet who can play across all three lines with a high footy IQ and an elite kick.
Top Tassie prospect Priya Bowering and Central District midfielder Sophie Eaton will also be at Marvel Stadium.
And ample intrigue surrounds where Peel Thunder intercept defender Evie Cowcher will land.
Evie Cowcher of the AFL National Academy. Picture: Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos/via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
Despite missing most of her draft year with a back injury, clubs know how supremely talented Cowcher is, given her aerial ability, footy IQ and decision-making.
But in terms of which club Cowcher could go to, she’s been hard to place. She’s in the mix for all of the Giants, Crows, Magpies and Bombers — some believe she won’t get past Essendon — but all four clubs have strong links to other players, prompting suggestions Cowcher could slide a touch on the night. There’s absolutely no way West Coast (Pick 12) overlooks her as that would be a dream scenario for the Eagles, who are understood to be looking for some run off half-back.
Other names to keep an eye out for include Eastern Ranges pair Tayla McMillan and Jordyn Allen, GWV Rebels on-baller Maggie Johnstone, WA duo Liv Crane and Mia Russo and West Adelaide bolter Lucy Waye.
Will a former No.1 pick land at the reigning premiers?
Former number 1 pick Kristie-Lee Western-Turner’s bid to join reigning premiers North Melbourne during the trade period ultimately fell short, leaving the young Dog “very disappointed”.
The Dogs and Roos were unable to strike a deal before the deadline, but Western-Turner’s manager, Michael Oakes, believes she’ll still find her way to Arden Street.
“She’s very disappointed. We felt she had a great opportunity to go to another club, despite who the club was, it was a good fit for her as a player and a person,” Oakes told AFL Media after the trade period.
“She’ll get to North Melbourne. She’s committed and they’re committed to taking her. She’ll get to North Melbourne.”
Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner of the Bulldogs warms up. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
The Roos currently hold Pick 37, but will Western-Turner still be on the board by then? Both Hawthorn and Brisbane had interest earlier in the year — and sources believe the Lions will do their due diligence in the lead-up to the draft — but Western-Turner ultimately chose the Roos as her preferred destination. Western-Turner did not want to leave Victoria, which ultimately ruled Brisbane out — and Oakes hopes the Lions “respect that”.
Western Bulldogs list manager Dan Fisher said the Roos “offered a host of late picks, the best of which was No. 37”, but added that deal “just wasn’t something we were able to do”.
WHAT IS THE 2025 AFLW INDICATIVE DRAFT ORDER?
Note: The draft order is subject to change.
ROUND ONE
1. Richmond (received from Gold Coast in pick swap)
2. Greater Western Sydney
3. Greater Western Sydney (AFL assistance package)
4. Adelaide (received from Gold Coast in Hatchard trade, Gold Coast received from Richmond in pick swap)
5. Collingwood
6. Essendon
7. Geelong
8. Western Bulldogs
9. Melbourne (received from Fremantle in Zanker/Johnson trade)
10. Port Adelaide
11. Brisbane (received from Sydney in three-club Smith trade)
12. West Coast
13. Adelaide (received from Essendon in Prowse trade, Essendon received from St Kilda in pick swap)
14. Melbourne (received Gold Coast in pick swap, Gold Coast received from Adelaide in Hatchard trade)
15. Collingwood (received from Brisbane in Williamson trade, Brisbane received from Hawthorn in three-club Smith trade)
16. Carlton
17. Adelaide (received from Brisbane in three-club Boileau trade, Brisbane received from Collingwood in Williamson trade, Collingwood received from Gold Coast in three-club Cann trade, Gold Coast received from Melbourne in pick swap)
18. Sydney (received from Brisbane in three-club Smith trade)
19. Gold Coast (received from Carlton in Whitfort/Bella trade, Carlton received from North Melbourne in pick swap)
ROUND TWO
20. Gold Coast
21. Gold Coast (received from Adelaide in Hatchard trade, Adelaide received from Greater Western Sydney in pick swap)
22. Gold Coast (received from Richmond in pick swap)
23. Gold Coast (received from Collingwood in three-club Cann trade)
24. St Kilda (received from Essendon in pick swap)
25. Geelong
26. Collingwood (received from Western Bulldogs in three-club Cann trade)
27. Gold Coast (received from Melbourne in pick swap, Melbourne received from Fremantle in Zanker/Johnson trade)
28. Sydney (received from Brisbane in three-club Smith trade, Brisbane received from Port Adelaide in Hampson trade)
29. Collingwood (received from Brisbane in Williamson trade, Brisbane received from Sydney in three-club Smith trade)
30. Port Adelaide (received from West Coast in Boyd/Paterson trade)
31. St Kilda
32. Gold Coast (received from Adelaide in Hatchard trade)
33. Brisbane (received from Hawthorn in three-club Smith trade)
34. Carlton
35. Fremantle (received from Melbourne in Zanker/Johnson trade)
36. West Coast (received from Port Adelaide in Boyd/Paterson trade, Port Adelaide received from Brisbane in Hampson trade)
37. North Melbourne
ROUND THREE
38. Richmond (received from Adelaide in Egan trade, Adelaide received from Gold Coast in Hatchard trade)
39. Adelaide (received from Greater Western Sydney in pick swap)
40. Fremantle (received from Richmond in East trade)
41. Collingwood
42. St Kilda (received from Essendon in pick swap)
43. Geelong
44. Western Bulldogs
45. Fremantle
46. Sydney (received from Brisbane in three-club Smith trade, Brisbane received from Port Adelaide in Hampson trade)
47. Collingwood (received from Brisbane in Williamson trade, Brisbane received from Sydney in three-club Smith trade)
48. North Melbourne (received from West Coast in Slocombe trade)
49. Essendon (received from St Kilda in pick swap)
50. Essendon (received from Adelaide in Prowse trade)
51. Hawthorn
52. Carlton
53. Melbourne
54. Brisbane
55. North Melbourne
ROUND FOUR
56. Richmond (received from Gold Coast in pick swap)
57. Greater Western Sydney
58. Richmond
59. Collingwood
60. Adelaide (received from Essendon in Prowse trade)
61. Geelong
62. Western Bulldogs
63. Richmond (received from Fremantle in East trade)
64. Port Adelaide
65. Sydney
66. Carlton (received from West Coast in Skepper trade)
67. Hawthorn (received from St Kilda in Butterworth trade)
68. Adelaide
69. Hawthorn
70. Carlton
71. Melbourne
72. Brisbane
73. North Melbourne
ROUND FIVE
74. Gold Coast
75. Greater Western Sydney
76. Richmond
77. Collingwood
78. Essendon
79. Geelong
80. Western Bulldogs
81. Melbourne (received from Fremantle in Zanker/Johnson trade)
82. Port Adelaide
83. Sydney
84. West Coast
85. St Kilda
86. Adelaide
87. St Kilda (received from Hawthorn in Butterworth trade)
88. Carlton
89. Melbourne
90. Brisbane
91. North Melbourne