AFLW clubs at a glance
Footy writers CALLUM GODDE and JUSTIN CHADWICK assess how the 14 AFLW clubs are shaping up for the season ADELAIDE
Coach: Matthew Clarke Captains: Erin Phillips and Chelsea Randall
Past finishes: 1st, 5th, 1st
Big outs: Chelsea Randall (knee), Hannah Button nee Martin (knee). Big ins: Courtney Gum (GWS), Najwa Allen (Norwood)
Outlook: The injury bug has bitten down hard on the Crows with the loss of co-captain Randall and premiership-winning midfielder Button. Will it derail their flag defence?
Coach: Craig Starcevich Captain: Emma Zielke
Past finishes: 4th Conference B, 2nd, 2nd
Big outs: Leah Kaslar (Brisbane), Sabrina Frederick (Richmond), Nat Exon (St Kilda), Kate McCarthy (St Kilda). Big ins: Cathy Svarc (Wilston Grange/QAFLW), Orla O’Dwyer (Camogie/ Hurling), Sophie Conway (returning from ACL)
Outlook: Brisbane was pillaged for a second-straight offseason by rival clubs, leaving the Lions with a relatively young list. Coming off a twowin season, that doesn’t bode well.
Coach: Daniel Harford Captains: Kerryn Harrington and Katie Loynes
Past finishes: 2nd, 8th, 4th
Big outs: Brianna Davey (Collingwood), Rhiannon Watt (St Kilda). Big ins: Lucy McEvoy (Geelong Falcons), Grace Egan (VFLW Tigers), Brooke Vernon (Dandenong) Outlook: Last season’s losing grand finalists face a major battle to get back to the big dance again this year.
Coach: Steve Symonds Captain: Steph Chiocci
Past finishes: 5th Conference B, 6th, 5th
Big outs: Darcy Guttridge (St Kilda), Melissa Kuys (St Kilda), Cecelia McIntosh (retired), Iilish Ross ( Richmond), Holly Whitford (Richmond). Big ins: Brianna Davey (Carlton), Ebony O’Dea (GWS), Chloe Molloy (back from injury) Outlook: Last year’s wooden spooners loom as the big improvers in 2020. The additions of Carlton star Brianna Davey and the return from injury of Chloe Molloy are huge.
Coach: Trent Cooper
Captain: Kara Antonio (nee Donnellan)
Past finishes: 2nd Conference A, 7th, 7th
Big outs: Ann McMahon (work injury), Dana Hooker, Kellie Gibson, Mel Caulfield and Alicia Janz (all West Coast). Big ins: Mia-Rae Clifford (Geelong), Kate Flood (Ireland), Roxanne Roux (East Fremantle)
Outlook: Finally cracked through for a finals appearance last season, but West Coast has since raided its list, with the loss of Dana Hooker set to hurt the most. Aine Tighe’s season-ending knee injury depletes their ruck stocks.
Coach: Paul Hood
Captain: Melissa Hickey
Past finishes: 2nd Conference B last year
Big outs: Erin Hoare (retired),
Mia Mi R Rae-Clifford Cliff d (F (Fremantle). l) Big ins: Nina Morrison (returning from ACL), Millie Brown (Murray Bushrangers/ Victoria Country)
Outlook: The youthful Cats shocked a few by making the finals from the weaker conference in their first season. With only minor tweaks to their squad, will Geelong hold ground or go backwards?
Coach: David Lake
Captain: Leah Kaslar, Sam Virgo
Past finishes: (first season)
Big ins: Leah Kaslar (Brisbane), Sam Virgo (Brisbane), Tiarna Ernst (Western Bulldogs), Jamie Stanton (North Melbourne), Hannah Dunn (GWS)
Outlook: Kaslar, Virgo and Ernst will prop up the Suns’ defence. But do they have the cattle to compete across the midfield and up forward?
Coach: Alan McConnell Captain: Alicia Eva
Past finishes: 3rd Conference B, 4th, 8th
Big outs: Amanda Farrugia (retired), Courtney Gum (Adelaide), Emma Swanson (West Coast). Big ins: Jessica Allen (Adelaide), Maggie Gorham (Belconnen)
Outlook: The Giants have lost inaugural skipper Farrugia and former AFLPA MVP Courtney Gum. But in better news, Cora Staunton has recovered from a broken leg and will join fellow Irish star Yvonne Bonner up forward.
Coach: Mick Stinear
Captain: Daisy Pearce
Past finishes: 4th Conference A, 3rd, 3rd
Big outs: Bianca Jacobson (work), Katherine Smith (ACL), Shae Sloane (ACL).
Big ins: Daisy Pearce ( maternity leave), Libby Birch (Bulldogs), Sinead Goldrick (Ireland), Niamh McEvoy (Ireland)
Outlook: Will start the season as one of the major contenders, with the return of Daisy Pearce a massive bonus.
Coach: Scott Gowans
Captain: Emma Kearney
Past finishes: 3rd Conference A. Big outs: Jess Duffin (pregnancy), Mo Hope (delisted), Jamie Stanton (Gold Coast). Big ins: Mia King (Launceston)
Outlook: The third-highest scoring team last year, the Kangaroos are aiming to convert a strong debut season into a first finals appearance. The loss of marking defender Duff fin won’t help their cause.
Coach: Tom Hunter
Captains: Katie Brennan
Past finishes: (first season)
Big ins: Katie Brennan and Monique Conti (Western Bulldogs), Sabrina Frederick (Brisbane), Christina Bernardi (GWS)
Outlook: The Tigers are pining their hopes on big-name recruits. But have they got the right mix? With Frederick and Bernardi locking down key forward positions, Brennan is set to spend more time alongside Conti in the midfield.
Coach: Peta Searle
Captains: Rhiannon Watt, Kate Shierlaw and Cat Phillips Past finishes: (first season)
Big ins: Tilly Lucas-Rodd (Carlton), Nat Exon (Brisbane), Georgia Patrikios (Calder Cannons), Cat Phillips (Demons), Kate Shierlaw (VFLW) Outlook: It’s always tough for an expansion side to fire straight away, and the Saints are tipped to struggle in their first season.
Coach: Luke Dwyer
Captain: Emma Swanson
Past finishes: (first season)
Big ins: Emma Swanson and Maddy Collier (GWS); Dana Hooker, Kellie Gibson, Alicia Janz and Mel Caulfield (all Fremantle).
Outlook: It doesn’t look great for the Eagles. The team lacks out-and-out star power. Among the favourites to collect the wooden spoon.