nominated the Gold Coast Suns as an academy selection<\/a>, saying she thought she\u2019d play her best footy at the top level if she remained on the Gold Coast. And it\u2019s a big coup for the Suns, for Lappin is one of the most naturally talented prospects in the pool. A prolific and creative midfielder who can also push forward, Lappin impressed this season with her composure and efficiency with ball in hand. She had a brilliant Under 18 national championships campaign for Queensland, averaging 25.2 disposals, 5.5 clearances and 4.2 tackles to win her team\u2019s MVP award, earn All-Australian honours and finish second to Vic Metro\u2019s Chloe Bown for the comp MVP. She then played a crucial role in Southport\u2019s QAFLW premiership triumph, claiming the best on ground medal after booting two goals from 30 disposals, 10 inside 50s and eight clearances. She and her teammates were coached by her dad \u2014 and there\u2019ll be no prouder person at Marvel Stadium on Monday night when Lappin\u2019s name is called out.<\/p>\nIn the mix: After Gold Coast\u2019s excellent work during the trade period to split two top-20 picks into seven selects between 19 and 32, it\u2019s been hard to get a read on where the top Suns academy prospects will get bids. Some sources believe the Crows won\u2019t place a bid on a Suns-tied player \u2014 due to the blockbuster Anne Hatchard trade that saw Adelaide land this selection (Pick 4 in the natural order) and Gold Coast\u2019s 2026 first-round selection, which could be very early in next year\u2019s draft \u2014 and would instead pick an open-pool player.<\/p>\n
Chloe Bown of the AFL National Academy. Picture: Morgan Hancock\/AFL Photos\/via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images<\/p>\n
PICK 6: ADELAIDE CROWS \u2013 CHLOE BOWN<\/p>\n
Position: Midfielder<\/p>\n
Height: 173cm<\/p>\n
Clubs: Oakleigh Chargers\/Kew Comets<\/p>\n
What a result this would be for Adelaide. Bown literally won everything this year. She was crowned the best and fairest player of 2025 national championships, won Vic Metro\u2019s MVP award and earned selection as the Under 18 All-Australian captain after steering her team to back-to-back title wins. Bown\u2019s season was book-ended by a best on ground medal when representing the Australia Under 18 team against the All Stars in April and the Coates Talent League best and fairest award in September after averaging 29 disposals and six tackles per game. Clubs view Bown as a consistent, competitive and relentless on-baller with an incredible work ethic and ability to kick well on both feet. Her ability to break lines and set up scores for her team are also weapons in an already loaded arsenal.<\/p>\n
In the mix: It\u2019d be remarkable if Bown slipped to Pick 6, but it\u2019s now a good chance. If Bown is taken by the Giants, sources expect Adelaide to bid on Swans academy prospect Kiera Yerbury and ultimately take her, as the Swans wouldn\u2019t have a pick in a range to match the bid. Gun WA defender Evie Cowcher would also be in the mix, with the Crows showing interest in her.<\/p>\n
Imogen Trengove of South Australia. Picture: Stefan Gosatti\/AFL Photos\/via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images<\/p>\n
PICK 7: COLLINGWOOD \u2014 IMOGEN TRENGOVE<\/p>\n
Position: Midfielder\/forward\ufeff<\/p>\n
Height: 164cm<\/p>\n
Clubs: Woodville-West Torrens\/Glenunga<\/p>\n
For many spoken to by foxfooty.com.au in recent days, a Trengove-Pies match makes ample sense. An elite runner, athlete and competitor, Trengove would bring ample energy to an AFLW team with her excellent workrate and willingness to attack the footy. She captained South Australia at the national championships and made the All-Australian team \u2014 despite missing the last game due to injury \u2014 averaging 25.6 disposals, 11.0 contested possessions, 10.7 handball receives and 5.7 tackles. Trengove also impressed at senior SANFLW for the Eagles. Just as importantly, AFLW scouts rate Trengove as a character enormously and can see her being a great culture-setter at AFLW level.<\/p>\n
In the mix: A big draft pivot point here. The Magpies could also go for intercept defender Evie Cowcher, who on talent alone would be worthy of a pick in this range, while it\u2019s probably the latest Scarlett Johnson would be taken. It\u2019s also where the draft ranges start for the likes of midfield duo Maggie Johnstone and Priya Bowering, as well as composed defender Jordyn Allen. Imagine if the Pies paired the two Jordyn Allen\u2019s in the same defensive 50?!<\/p>\n
Ava Usher of the Gold Coast Suns Academy. Picture: Daniel Pockett\/AFL Photos\/via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images<\/p>\n
PICK 8: GOLD COAST SUNS \u2014 AVA USHER (BOMBERS\u2019 ACADEMY BID MATCHED WITH PICK 20)<\/p>\n
Position: Midfielder<\/p>\n
Height: 162cm<\/p>\n
Clubs: Gold Coast Suns Academy\/Burleigh<\/p>\n
An Under 16 national championships best and fairest winner as a 15-year-old, an Under 18 All-Australian as a 16-year-old and a 2023 QAFLW premiership player, Usher was one of the best mid-teenage prospects AFLW recruiters had ever seen. One scout told foxfooty.com.au the Gold Coast academy midfielder was ready to play in the AFLW as a 16-year-old. But the path to her AFLW dream took an emotional twist during a Suns training session in early March 2024 when she suffered a season-ending ACL rupture. Usher initially had plans to return to the field in mid-2025 before another training incident led to a knee arthroscope to remove scar tissue, consequently wiping out her 2025 campaign too. It means Usher \u2013 widely viewed as the No.1 2025 AFLW draft prospect during her 16th year \u2013 didn\u2019t play any competitive footy games in her 17th and 18th years. That won\u2019t deter clubs from placing a top-10 bid on Usher on Monday night, which the well-prepared Suns will match without hesitating. She came to footy \u2013 via Sunny and Matthew Lappin \u2013 from a multi-sport background, representing Queensland in basketball while also being a star surf lifesaver. Now, Usher is one of the most exciting and powerful inside midfielders to ever come through the talent pathway. Her speed and ability to burst away from stoppage are massive weapons, while she\u2019s also a sound decision-maker and two-way runner.<\/p>\n
Georja Davies of Team Morrison. Picture: Daniel Pockett\/AFL Photos\/via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images<\/p>\n
PICK 9: GOLD COAST SUNS \u2014 GEORJA DAVIES (BOMBERS\u2019 ACADEMY BID MATCHED WITH PICK 21)<\/p>\n
Position: Utility<\/p>\n
Height: 184cm<\/p>\n
Clubs: Gold Coast Suns Academy\/Southport<\/p>\n
The Davies name will be familiar to AFLW fans, with Georja set to become the fourth sister to graduate onto an AFLW list. The eldest two, Giselle and Fleur, played for the Swans and Giants respectively this season, while Darcie, who is the closest in age to Georja, is a rising star at the Gold Coast. Now it\u2019s Georja\u2019s turn for the limelight. Davies dabbled in netball, touch rugby and swimming, but footy prevailed. An athletic, mobile and skilful prospect with a great footy IQ, Davies is a genuine utility who can play across all three lines thanks to her natural leap and strong overhead marking skills. She was an All-Australian at both Under 16s and Under 18s levels across the previous two years as a ruck and tall forward respectively. But in 2025 she starred for Queensland in defence with her intercept marking ability, leading to All-Australian selection at centre half-back \u2014 and prompting scouts to believe she could become a first-choice defender at AFLW level.<\/p>\n
Dekota Baron of the Gold Coast Suns U18 girls academy. Picture: Rob Lawson\/AFL Photos.Source: News Corp Australia<\/p>\n
PICK 10: GOLD COAST SUNS \u2014 DEKOTA BARON (BOMBERS\u2019 ACADEMY BID MATCHED WITH PICK 22)<\/p>\n
Position: Tall forward\/ruck<\/p>\n
Height: 178cm<\/p>\n
Clubs: Gold Coast Suns Academy\/Southport<\/p>\n
Watch out, for Baron should be a lot of fun to watch at AFLW level. Take Suns academy teammate Sunny Lappin\u2019s word for it: \u201cThere\u2019s something insane about the way that she plays \u2026 The way she flies for the ball, the way she sees the footy in the air and is prepared to jump on anybody\u2019s heads is so incredible and I think that that\u2019s something that not a lot of girls in the AFLW are doing now.\u201d Baron had an injury-interrupted draft year but had an excellent bottom-age season in 2024. She claimed the medal as Team Morrison\u2019s best player in the Under 17s Futures match at GMHBA Stadium, while she kicked 13 goals in four Coates Talent League games for the Suns academy and took out the QAFLW Rising Star award. The previous year (2023), Baron starred at both the Under 16 and Under 18 national championships, earning selection in both All-Australian teams. Her upside at AFLW level is enormous \u2014 and the prospect of her and Havana Harris in the same Suns forward line is tantalising.<\/p>\n
In the mix: Multiple sources spoken to by foxfooty.com.au believe the Bombers will be the club to make the Suns pay up for their academy prospects. There\u2019s a chance the Bombers also bid on Alannah Welsh, who\u2019s been invited to draft night alongside Lappin, Usher, Davies and Baron. <\/p>\n
Chloe Baker-West during the Telstra AFLW National Draft Combine. Picture: Asanka Ratnayake\/AFL Photos\/via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images<\/p>\n
PICK 11: ESSENDON \u2014 CHLOE BAKER-WEST<\/p>\n
Position: Midfielder\/small defender<\/p>\n
Height: 163cm<\/p>\n
Clubs: Calder Cannons\/Strathmore<\/p>\n
The definition of a ball magnet. A prodigious ball-winner, Baker-West has racked up some big numbers in the Coates Talent League over the past three seasons, culminating in a spot in the comp\u2019s Team of the Year in September after averaging 33.1 disposals, 7.3 clearances and 4.8 tackles in nine matches. She missed almost all of Vic Metro\u2019s national champs campaign due to concussion, but she\u2019s been a dominant player throughout her junior career. Baker-West can play across all three lines with a high footy IQ, strength in the contest and an elite kick. She\u2019s also a hustler on the defensive end and is one of the hardest workers in the pool. As part of her AFLW Academy opportunity, she spent some time at Essendon in their AFLW program. The Bombers, who\u2019ve been strongly linked to Baker-West for several weeks, could soon become her full-time home.<\/p>\n
In the mix: The Bombers-Baker-West mail is strong, but the possibility of talented defender Evie Cowcher still being on the board would give Essendon something to think about. Some have suggested Cowcher won\u2019t get past the Bombers. Other players linked to Essendon at this pick include midfielders Maggie Johnstone, Imogen Trengove and Priya Bowering, with rival clubs of the belief the Bombers would like an on-baller at this pick.<\/p>\n
Priya Bowering of the AFL National Academy. Picture: Morgan Hancock\/AFL Photos\/via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images<\/p>\n
PICK 12: GEELONG CATS \u2014 PRIYA BOWERING<\/p>\n
Position: Midfielder<\/p>\n
Height: 167cm<\/p>\n
Clubs: Tasmania Devils\/Lauderdale<\/p>\n
A strong, clean and powerful midfielder who\u2019s Tasmania\u2019s top hope this year. Bowering starred for the Allies in the Under 18 national championships, winning the side\u2019s MVP award and being named on the wing in the All-Australian team. She was then picked in the Coates Talent League team of the year after averaging 20.4 disposals in her nine matches for the Devils, also winning the club\u2019s best and fairest award. Bowering\u2019s attack on the ball, strength in the contest and vision in traffic is set to see her picked midway through the first round. Bowering has been invited to draft night.<\/p>\n
In the mix: It\u2019s a bit tricky to get a firm read on what the Cats will do. Multiple rival clubs have Jordyn Allen pencilled in at this selection as she would complement the Cats\u2019 backline well. The other player constantly linked to Geelong is Rebels on-baller Maggie Johnstone, who\u2019s from South Warrnambool. This is also the earliest a bid on Swans academy ruck Madeleine Quinn would be placed. In this scenario, Evie Cowcher is still on the table \u2026<\/p>\n
Alannah Welsh of the AFL National Academy. Picture: Morgan Hancock\/AFL Photos\/via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images<\/p>\n
PICK 13: GOLD COAST SUNS \u2014 ALANNAH WELSH (BULLDOGS\u2019 ACADEMY BID MATCHED WITH PICK 23)<\/p>\n
Position: Forward<\/p>\n
Height: 169cm<\/p>\n
Clubs: Gold Coast Suns Academy\/Tweed Coolangatta<\/p>\n
A powerful and damaging forward who in October ran the second-fastest 2km time trial (7:07) ever at an AFLW draft combine. After starring as a defender at national Under 16s level to win All-Australian honours, Welsh in the past two seasons has shown how lethal she can be in the attacking arc. She kicked 19 goals in 10 QAFLW games to help Southport claim the 2024 flag. This year, she showed off her natural goal sense with five goals from three matches for Queensland to again be named in the All-Australian team.<\/p>\n
Mikayla Nurse of Queensland. Picture: Mark Brake\/AFL Photos\/via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images<\/p>\n
PICK 14: GOLD COAST SUNS \u2014 MIKAYLA NURSE (BULLDOGS\u2019 ACADEMY BID MATCHED WITH PICK 27)<\/p>\n
Position: Wing\/midfielder<\/p>\n
Height: 166cm<\/p>\n
Clubs: Gold Coast Suns Academy\/Southport<\/p>\n
Another Suns academy prospect with an awesome athletic profile. At the national combine, Nurse showed off her unique combination of aerobic power and speed, running 7:18 for the 2km time trial and 3.21 seconds in the 20m sprint \u2014 both ranked in the top-three overall. She made the All-Australian team after starring for Queensland at the national championships, averaging 18 disposals, five inside 50s and 3.8 tackles per outing. Nurse is a genuine winger with explosive outside speed and line-breaking run.<\/p>\n
In the mix: Welsh has a draft night invite, so is expecting to attract a bid in the first-round. That could come as early as Essendon. Nurse hasn\u2019t been invited to the draft \u2014 and could well attract a bid slightly later than this \u2014 but the expectation is she\u2019ll be off the board by the time the second round rolls around.<\/p>\n
Maggie Johnstone of the Rebels celebrates a goal. Picture: Cameron Grimes\/AFL PhotosSource: News Corp Australia<\/p>\n
PICK 15: WESTERN BULLDOGS \u2014 MAGGIE JOHNSTONE<\/p>\n
Position: Midfielder\/medium forward<\/p>\n
Height: 171cm<\/p>\n
Clubs: GWV Rebels\/South Warrnambool<\/p>\n
A strong, classy and creative midfielder who can also push forward, Johnstone has enormous upside at AFLW level. She had a brilliantly consistent 2025 campaign across all levels, making the Under 18 All-Australian team after starring for Vic Country. She also won the Rebels\u2019 best and fairest award and selection in the Talent League team of the year after averaging 21.0 disposals, 11.0 contested possessions and 4.4 tackles per outing. Johnstone has attracted interest from AFLW clubs, who love her kicking ability and competitive nature, while they also admire her on-field and off-field development over the past two seasons.<\/p>\n
In the mix: There\u2019s a strong belief if Cannons ball magnet Chloe Baker-West is still on the board, the Dogs would take her. Otherwise, the Dogs could look at SA midfield duo Sophie Eaton and Imogen Trengove, who\u2019ve both been invited to draft night, while it\u2019s probably the start of Eastern Ranges ball magnet Tayla McMillan and Calder Cannons utility Jade McLay\u2019s respective draft ranges. In this scenario, Evie Cowcher is still on the table \u2026<\/p>\n
Jordyn Allen of the AFL National Academy. Picture: Morgan Hancock\/AFL Photos\/via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images<\/p>\n
PICK 16: MELBOURNE \u2014 JORDYN ALLEN<\/p>\n
Position: Medium defender<\/p>\n
Height: 165cm<\/p>\n
Clubs: Eastern Ranges\/Heathmont<\/p>\n
The Dees would love it if Allen slipped to their first pick. And, coincidentally, she\u2019s a similar type of rebounding defender to namesake Jordyn Allen at Collingwood. Allen had an awesome season, averaging 18.5 disposals per game to earn competition Coates Talent League team of the year honours, while also averaging 15.8 disposals for Vic Metro in the national champs. Allen is exactly what you need in a modern-day half-back, having a preparedness to take the game on with both her rebound drive and kicking skills.<\/p>\n
In the mix: There\u2019s a scenario where the Cats and Demons flip selections here, with Geelong instead taking Allen first and Melbourne selecting Priya Bowering. Although some sources believe Melbourne would more likely consider Bowering with its second first-round pick. Others linked to the Demons include West Adelaide\u2019s Lucy Waye and West Perth\u2019s Mia Russo. In this scenario, Evie Cowcher is still on the table \u2026<\/p>\n
Sophie Eaton of South Australia. Picture: Stefan Gosatti\/AFL Photos\/via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images<\/p>\n
PICK 17: PORT ADELAIDE \u2014 SOPHIE EATON<\/p>\n
Position: Midfielder\ufeff<\/p>\n
Height: 170cm<\/p>\n
Clubs: Central District\/Freeling<\/p>\n
A slick and polished on-baller with elite ball use, Eaton has attracted an invite to draft night. Her draft year was curtailed by an ankle injury, but she still impressed for both South Australia and the AFL academy, while she averaged 14 disposals from 10 SANFLW games for the Bulldogs. Eaton doesn\u2019t get a stack of the footy, but her excellent efficiency makes her a high-impact player.<\/p>\n
In the mix: The Power\u2019s link to SA local Eaton has been strong for the past week and it\u2019d be a major shock if they overlooked her if still on the board. Fellow SA midfielder Imogen Trengove would be hard to overlook if still on the board. If Eaton and Trengove are gone, Evie Cowcher might be too good to let slide any further.<\/p>\n
Madeleine Quinn during the Telstra AFLW National Draft Combine. Picture: Asanka Ratnayake\/AFL Photos\/via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images<\/p>\n
PICK 18: SYDNEY SWANS \u2014 MADELEINE QUINN (LIONS\u2019 ACADEMY BID MATCHED WITH PICK 28)<\/p>\n
Position: Ruck\/tall forward<\/p>\n
Height: 187cm<\/p>\n
Clubs: Sydney Swans Academy\/UTS Bats<\/p>\n
Amid all the hype around the Suns\u2019 2025 academy haul, three Swans-tied players are set to attract bids in the third round. Quinn might be ranked No.3 here, but she has the potential to be a star at the top level. After solid campaigns for both the Allies and Swans Academy, Quinn ran the 20m sprint at the national combine in 3.26 seconds \u2014 ranked ninth overall. Quinn has awesome athleticism, speed and running capabilities for a player of her size, meaning she can often play as a fourth midfielder. Add to that an ability to impact forward of centre, impressive ruck craft and a high lead, you\u2019ve got a prospect with huge AFLW upside.<\/p>\n
In the mix: The Lions have done ample work on Quinn, with multiple sources expecting them to bid on her. Should the Swans be unable to match a Kiera Yerbury bid earlier in the night, they would almost certainly have the selection to ensure Quinn stays in Sydney\u2019s set-up.<\/p>\n
Evie Cowcher of the AFL National Academy. Picture: Josh Chadwick\/AFL Photos\/via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images<\/p>\n
PICK 19: BRISBANE LIONS \u2014 EVIE COWCHER<\/p>\n
Position: Medium defender<\/p>\n
Height: 173cm<\/p>\n
Clubs: Peel Thunder\/Pinjarra<\/p>\n
Finally. But we stress, Cowcher could go a lot earlier than this. The Lions would find it mightily difficult to overlook Cowcher if she slipped this far, considering some believe she has the potential to be the best player in the pool and has been linked to clubs as early as the Giants (Picks 2 and 3). Cowcher is an exciting, supremely talented intercept defender. Despite being sidelined for a lot of her draft year due to back stress fractures, clubs have remained enamoured by her elite previous two seasons, which saw her win two WA MVP awards, two Under 18 All-Australian selections \u2014 as a 16 and 17-year-old \u2014 and the 2023 WAFLW Rising Star award. Cowcher shows great dash from half-back but also impressive composure with ball in-hand. <\/p>\n
In the mix: The Lions appear destined to dictate how the rest of the first round plays out. You sense this is the latest Jordyn Allen will be taken in the draft, while the Lions could look closely at midfielder Tayla McMillan, who seems more like to be taken in the middle to later stages of the first round. Other options include WA defender Olivia Crane and SA forward\/midfielder Lucy Waye, while this selection is probably the start of Ranges prospect Asher Fearn-Wannan\u2019s draft range.<\/p>\n
Tayla McMillan of the Ranges. Picture: Jordan Sacchetta\/AFL PhotosSource: Supplied<\/p>\n
PICK 20: WEST COAST EAGLES \u2014 TAYLA McMILLAN<\/p>\n
Position: Midfielder\/small forward<\/p>\n
Height: 162cm<\/p>\n
Clubs: Eastern Ranges\/Wantirna South<\/p>\n
Some clubs would have the skilful McMillan a lot higher than this, for her pure football ability alone \u2014 which has drawn comparisons to Melbourne star Tyla Hanks \u2014 is top-five worthy. She has clean hands in congestion and a neat step through traffic, while she can also accelerate away from stoppage with deceiving pace. McMillan was a standout for Vic Metro in the national championships, earning All-Australian honours after averaging 20.0 disposals, 11.5 contested possessions, 5.2 clearances and 4.8 tackles. Her season then culminated with the best on ground medal in the Eastern Ranges\u2019 grand final triumph over the Stingrays, finishing with 29 disposals and 11 inside 50s. It all came after she won the Ranges\u2019 2024 best and fairest as a 17-year-old.<\/p>\n
In the mix: The Eagles\u2019 dream scenario would be if local star Evie Cowcher slides all the way to their pick, which is an outside chance according to some. The Eagles are said to be looking for run off half-back, so a Cowcher-Eagles partnership would be perfect. Fellow WA players Mia Russo and Olivia Crane have also been linked to West Coast.<\/p>\n
Lucy Waye at the AFLW National Draft Combine. Picture: Asanka Ratnayake\/AFL Photos\/via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images<\/p>\n
PICK 21: ADELAIDE CROWS \u2014 LUCY WAYE<\/p>\n
Position: Medium forward\/midfielder<\/p>\n
Height: 169cm<\/p>\n
Clubs: West Adelaide\/Goodwood Saints<\/p>\n
Waye has come with a rush from a draft perspective in recent weeks. She\u2019s one of the most well-balanced prospects of the pool, with her strong athletic profile, versatility and good offensive-defensive balance. Waye had a consistent draft year, with her national carnival campaign for SA \u2013 where she averaged 19.0 disposals, 7.5 tackles and 3.3 clearances per game \u2013 a standout. She was one of the most impressive performers at the national combine, registering four top-five finishes in the 20m sprint, agility test, standing vertical jump and running vertical jump as she showed off her excellent athletic profile. <\/p>\n
In the mix: Fellow SA midfielder Imogen Trengove would be a good chance to be taken here if still on the board. WA duo Mia Russo and Olivia Crane could also be in the mix \u2014 especially Crane after Zoe Prowse\u2019s trade to Essendon.<\/p>\n
Mia Russo of Western Australia. Picture: Stefan Gosatti\/AFL Photos\/via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images<\/p>\n
PICK 22: MELBOURNE \u2014 MIA RUSSO<\/p>\n
Position: Midfielder\/forward<\/p>\n
Height: 165cm<\/p>\n
Clubs: West Perth\/Wanneroo<\/p>\n
Russo\u2019s stoppage work is eye-catching. She\u2019s a competitive contested-ball beast who loves the coalface, yet can also explode from congestion using her dynamic speed. She was judged the 2023 best and fairest in the Under 16 national carnival. Two years later, Russo made the All-Australian team after averaging 19 disposals per match, while she also averaged 20 touches from eight WAFLW matches for the Falcons. Her ability to push forward and hit the scoreboard, too, only adds to her draft appeal.<\/p>\n
In the mix: If one of Lucy Waye or Priya Bowering slipped through to this pick, the Demons would strongly consider. They\u2019ve also been linked to Lucy Waye, while Tayla McMillan could still be on the board.<\/p>\n
Asher Fearn-Wannan competes in the 2km Time Trial during the Telstra AFLW National Draft Combine. Picture: Morgan Hancock\/AFL Photos\/via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images<\/p>\n
PICK 23: COLLINGWOOD \u2014 ASHER FEARN-WANNAN<\/p>\n
Position: Utility<\/p>\n
Height: 177cm<\/p>\n
Clubs: Eastern Ranges\/Blackburn<\/p>\n
Fearn-Wannan has lots of fans at AFLW club level. She\u2019s strong and combative, but also clean and powerful from stoppage. A former high-level hockey player and basketballer, Fearn-Wannan came into the Ranges\u2019 program late as a top-ager, but made the most of her opportunities to bolt into first-round draft contention. She played a key in the Eastern Ranges\u2019 Talent League flag, while she also played three national carnival games for Vic Metro. Fearn-Wannan then turned heads at the national combine. She produced the second-quickest combine agility test time ever, narrowly falling short of Zimmorlei Farquharson\u2019s record of 8.170 seconds set in 2020. Oh, and she also ranked first in the running vertical jump and fifth in both the 20m sprint and standing vertical jump. Fearn-Wannan played predominantly as a wing in 2025, but she has all the traits to become a midfielder at AFLW level.<\/p>\n
In the mix: There is a scenario where Collingwood takes Evie Cowcher with its first pick and Imogen Trengove slips to its second selection, which would be a dream scenario for the Pies. Tayla McMillan would also be a consideration if still on the board.<\/p>\n
Mizuki Brothwell of the AFL National Academy. Picture: Morgan Hancock\/AFL Photos\/via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images<\/p>\n
PICK 24: CARLTON \u2014 MIZUKI BROTHWELL<\/p>\n
Position: Medium defender<\/p>\n
Height: 175cm<\/p>\n
Clubs: Dandenong Stingrays\/Balnarring<\/p>\n
From a netball background, Brothwell had only played around 20 games of footy before joining the Dandenong Stingrays \u2014 and it\u2019s been a worthwhile call. Brothwell is an athletic, versatile defender with a willingness to take the game on and a high ceiling at AFLW level. Brothwell grew in confidence and improved significantly over the season as she was given the licence to go for her intercepts then show off her run and carry. That led to selection in both the All-Australian team and Talent League team of the year. Her room for growth and athletic profile has some scouts predicting she could be a midfielder at AFLW level.<\/p>\n
In the mix: The sense is the Blues will target a player with athleticism and run at this selection, hence we\u2019ve gone for Brothwell. But Olivia Crane would be another option sure up Carlton\u2019s defence, while Asher Fearn-Wannan would be hard to overlook if she hadn\u2019t been taken already. Marlo Graham could be an outside chance.<\/p>\n
Jade McLay during the Telstra AFLW National Draft Combine. Picture: Asanka Ratnayake\/AFL Photos\/via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images<\/p>\n
PICK 25: ADELAIDE CROWS \u2014 JADE McLAY<\/p>\n
Position: Utility<\/p>\n
Height: 178cm<\/p>\n
Clubs: Calder Cannons\/Diamond Creek Women\u2019s<\/p>\n
A shoulder injury cruelled her draft year, but clubs haven\u2019t forgotten McLay\u2019s 16th and 17th years. She averaged 17.5 disposals in 19 Talent League matches over the previous two seasons, leading to her being named captain of the Cannons for 2025. McLay\u2019s size and versatility means she can play across all three lines, but her power, physicality and stoppage craft has helped her thrive as a midfielder at junior level.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Hello and welcome to the 2025 Fox Footy AFLW Phantom Draft! Around 45 to 50 players are 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ans","tag-vertical-jump","tag-vic-country","tag-victoria","tag-warrnambool","tag-west-coast-eagles","tag-west-perth","tag-western-australia","tag-western-bulldogs"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/345981","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=345981"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/345981\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/345982"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=345981"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=345981"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=345981"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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