The 2020 AFLW Season is only a matter of weeks away from commencing and whilst there is plenty of buzz in the air about the new teams coming into the league and plenty of anticipation about what awaits ahead in a season that will see the competition itself continue to grow.
It is time to present the second part of this huge AFLW season preview. This time taking a closer look at all the teams in conference A. Obviously the main front-runner is the reigning premiers in the Adelaide Crows. But there will be some competition as to who can knock them off their perch.
7th – Brisbane
The Fixture
Round 1: v Adelaide (H) Round 2: v Geelong (A) Round 3: v Gold Coast (A) Round 4: v GWS (H) Round 5: v Fremantle (A) Round 6: v Collingwood (H) Round 7: v Richmond (A) Round 8: v North Melbourne (H)
Brisbane had the second-worst record in the AFLW in 2019, behind just Collingwood – who they lost to in the final game of 2019. It was always going to be a hard year for the Lions, who lost a bunch of their better players to expansion clubs, but they’re going to be in for a probably worse year in 2020. The arrival of the Gold Coast Suns, Richmond and St. Kilda meant that the Lions saw off more players that were easily entrenched in their best 21 last year.
Players such as Leah Kaslar, Sabrina Frederick, Sam Virgo, Kate McCarthy and Nat Exon departed for other clubs in 2019, as well as their younger brigade of players – think of players such as Jacqui Yorston, Tori Groves-Little, McKenzie Dowrick and Paige Parker. Their list has been completely decimated in the span of two off-seasons, which is such a shame as this Brisbane side at it’s best was as good as any side. This means it’ll be a tough road ahead for Craig Starcevich, which is why I have them sitting last in conference A.
However, I am excited to see what the likes of Lily Postlethwaite, Belle Dawes and Hannah Hillman are capable of – all three were selected by the Lions inside the first round of the 2019 AFLW Draft. I also expect to see some of Maria Moloney, Cathy Svarc and Orla O’Dwyer as they have shown plenty of promise. They will have Emma Zielke captain the club once again after Kaslar had the duties last year, and they’ll have the likes of Jess Wuetschner, Emily Bates, Ally Anderson, Kate Lutkins and Lauren Arnell as the experienced heads for all the younger Lions on this roster.
Best 21
B: Breanna Koenen, Kate Lutkins, Arianna Clarke HB: Nat Grider, Shannon Campbell, Isabel Dawes MIDS: Hannah Hillman, Emily Bates, Ally Anderson, Lily Postlethwaite HF: Lauren Arnell, Dakota Davidson, Emma Zielke F: Sophie Conway, Jesse Tawhiao-Wardlaw, Jess Wuetschner INT: Jordan Zanchetta, Cathy Svarc, Rheanne Lugg, Orla O’Dwyer, Selina Priest
6th – Gold Coast
The Fixture
Round 1: v GWS (A) Round 2: v Richmond (H) Round 3: v Brisbane (H) Round 4: v North Melbourne (A) Round 5: v Geelong (H) Round 6: v West Coast (A) Round 7: v Adelaide (H) Round 8: v Melbourne (A)
The Gold Coast Suns are a side that I will have my eye on this year. Like most clubs that enter the competition in their first-year, they are going to be hard to predict as they have not had a proper match as a unit. Still, I like what I see when I have a look at the squad, and their coach David Lake is a very good acquisition. Lake has been an assistant at Brisbane’s AFLW team for years and has been a respected coach in Queensland for over 15 years.
To be honest, the Suns’ list is probably just as youthful as that of the Lions, so it’ll be very interesting to see how football in Queensland eventuates five years down the track. There’s a lot of youngsters here that I rate. Serene Watson will be a key defender for the future, they’ve lured the likes of Jacqui Yorston, Tori Groves-Little, Lauren Bella, Paige Parker and Kalinda Howarth from Brisbane as players that will be there in 5-7 years when they hit that bracket of contending for the premiership. They’ve got players such as Jade Pregelj, Hannah Dunn and Tayla Thorn – mature-aged players that can certainly aid them along the way.
But it’s how their big recruits will go. Tiarna Ernst is a premiership player capable of playing either ruck or as a key back. Leah Kaslar and Sam Virgo will also provide as the wise heads and you would suspect one of the two will lead the side this year. Jamie Stanton will be their number one on-baller this year and I suspect players like Jordann Hickey, Jasmyn Hewett and Sally Riley – players who were on other AFLW lists last year will play key roles within the club this year. All in all, it should be an exciting year for the Suns, but I don’t expect them to contend this year.
Best 21
B: Serene Watson, Leah Kaslar, Sam Virgo HB: Paige Parker, Tiarna Ernst, Tori Groves-Little MIDS: Lauren Bella, Jamie Stanton, Jacqui Yorston, Hannah Dunn HF: Charlotte Hammans, Jade Pregelj, Sally Riley F: Tayla Thorn, Jasmyn Hewett, Kalinda Howarth INT: Emma Pittman, Maddy Roberts, Jordann Hickey, Molly Ritson, Maddy Roberts
5th – GWS
The Fixture
Round 1: v Gold Coast (H) Round 2: v North Melbourne (A) Round 3: v West Coast (H) Round 4: v Brisbane (A) Round 5: v Richmond (H) Round 6: v Adelaide (A) Round 7: v Geelong (H) Round 8: v Western Bulldogs (A)
This will be the year that we see the real side that is Greater Western Sydney. In 2018 they finished fourth and just missed out on playing in the Grand Final. Last year, they had the third-worst record in the league. It astounds me how they struggled so badly last year. Alan McConnell is a good coach and the list he’s got is not a list that should be in the bottom three. So it begs the question: what the hell was the problem in 2019?
It’s not a midfield issue, they’ve got plenty of talent in the engine room. Alicia Eva is going to lead the team this year following Amanda Farrugia’s shock retirement in December. She’s got good support in the form of last year’s club best and fairest in Rebecca Beeson, a rising star in Alyce Parker and Jess Dal Pos, who is a more than capable midfielder. And I’d imagine they’d get good service from some of their draftees, namely Georgia Garnett and Maggie Gorham.
They’ve got capable defenders in the form of Pepa Randall, Louise Stephenson and Nicola Barr. Whilst their forwards have shown promise, but have struggled for consistency, which is their biggest issue. I like Yvonne Bonner, I thought she was a revelation last year and I expect her to take another step or two in her development this year. Jacinda Barclay needs a big season this year, especially when Cora Staunton will miss the first few weeks while she recovers from a broken leg. It’ll be another tough year for the Giants in 2020.
Best 21
* = Unavailable round one
B: Pepa Randall, Louise Stephenson, Tanya Hetherington HB: Nicola Barr, Jess Allan, Ellie Brush MIDS: Erin McKinnon, Alicia Eva, Jess Dal Pos, Rebecca Beeson HF: Alyce Parker, Jacinda Barclay, Maggie Gorham F: Yvonne Bonner, Cora Staunton*, Jodie Hicks INT: Aimee Schmidt, Georgia Garnett, Haneen Zreika, Elle Bennetts, Britt Tully
4th – Geelong
The Fixture
Round 1: v Fremantle (A) Round 2: v Brisbane (H) Round 3: v Adelaide (H) Round 4: v Richmond (A) Round 5: v Gold Coast (A) Round 6: v North Melbourne (H) Round 7: v GWS (A) Round 8: v Collingwood (H)
The Cats exceeded the expectations of everyone in their first year when they finished second in conference B and qualified for Finals. Whilst their exit was as swift and as brutal as it comes via the hands of the Adelaide Crows, there were plenty of positives to take out of the 2019 season and I expect them to build on it in 2020. They’re no doubt in the frame for Finals once again, but I think they’ll just miss out on it.
They didn’t bring anyone in through the trade period, but they will be buoyed by the return of Nina Morrison, the first pick in the 2018 AFLW Draft. She starred on debut but missed the remainder of the year due to a ruptured ACL – she’ll be as valuable as any if she can get on the park consistently this year. Also look for players such as Denby Taylor, Liv Purcell, Rebecca Webster and Sophie Van De Heuval to take their games up a notch as well. Mel Hickey was solid returning from a ruptured ACL, but it’s time for her to truly excel in the middle this year in an engine room that will be young I’d imagine.
For the Cats to contend this year they’re going to need to give Phoebe McWilliams support up forward. She’s a great player, but aside from her, there isn’t exactly much down forward for scoring power and the Cats were the worst team in the league for goals last year. Richelle Cranston needs a big year for mine, she is a powerful player, a good athlete and does know how to kick a goal or two and Kate Darby showed as well last year that she knows how to find the goals.
Best 21
B: Millie Brown, Bec Goring, Maddy Keryk HB: Rebecca Webster, Meg McDonald, Denby Taylor MIDS: Aasta O’Connor, Nina Morrison, Olivia Purcell, Melissa Hickey HF: Richelle Cranston, Maddie Boyd, Jordan Ivey F: Kate Darby, Phoebe McWilliams, Julia Crockett-Grills INT: Sophie Van De Heuval, Anna Teague, Maddy McMahon, Georgia Clarke, Cassie Blakeway
3rd – Richmond
The Fixture
Round 1: v Carlton (H) Round 2: v Gold Coast (A) Round 3: v North Melbourne (H) Round 4: v Geelong (H) Round 5: v GWS (A) Round 6: v St. Kilda (A) Round 7: v Brisbane (H) Round 8: v Adelaide (A)
This is a big prediction when you consider that Richmond haven’t played an AFLW game yet, but we’ll know more about them when they play Carlton round one at Ikon Park. They’ve got the ready-made stars, they’ve got the young 18,19 and 20 year olds that will be huge pieces going forward, they’ve got the players in between that have done a good job in the VFLW last year and they’ve got the coach that can take them far.
In Tom Hunter, the Tigers have a coach who knows how to get it done. The VFLW don’t just hand out Coach of the Year awards for no reason. Hunter was the recipient of it last year, guiding the Tigers to the Finals last year and a pretty deserving appointment of the senior gig, considering he has spearheaded Richmond’s VFLW program since day one.
Monique Conti is going to be the focal point in the middle, whilst I expect Katie Brennan will see plenty of time in the middle as well as to let Christina Bernardi and Sabrina Frederick play the tall targets up forward. But I’d watch out for their draftees. Sophie Molan, Richmond’s first pick in last year’s draft will be a star in the league, whilst there is much to like with women such as Ella Wood, Laura McClelland, Cleo Saxon-Jones, Sarah Sansonetti and Nakaela Butler. Also look out for some of their VFLW stars: Laura Bailey, Tayla Stahl, Alice Edmonds and Kodi Jacques were all standouts last year.
Best 21
B: Phoebe Monahan, Akec Makur-Chuot, Illish Ross HB: Laura Bailey, Rebecca Miller, Ella Wood MIDS: Alice Edmonds, Monique Conti, Sophie Molan, Katie Brennan HF: Laura McClelland, Christina Bernardi, Kodi Jacques F: Tayla Stahl, Sabrina Frederick, Cleo Saxon-Jones INT: Nakaela Butler, Sarah Sansonetti, Laura McClelland, Holly Whitford, Maddy Brancatisano
2nd – Adelaide
The Fixture
Round 1: v Brisbane (A) Round 2: v St. Kilda (H) Round 3: v Geelong (A) Round 4: v Carlton (H) Round 5: v North Melbourne (A) Round 6: v GWS (H) Round 7: v Gold Coast (A) Round 8: v Richmond (H)
They’re the defending champions, and their best is simply unbeatable. But there is going to be a bit of interest surrounding the Adelaide Crows come round one. Obviously, the glaring issue is the fact that they will unlikely be without both co-captains Erin Phillips and Chelsea Randall come round one, both recovering from ACL injuries. Randall tore hers late December so will miss the entire season, Phillips tore hers in the Grand Final last year and racing to be fit round one.
They will get Rhiannon Metcalfe back from her ruptured ACL this year and that should enable Jess Foley to go into defence and try to do the role Randall has done since the start of the league. There is more than enough star-power on every line to suggest that they will be thereabouts again in 2020. The midfield is still stacked enough to be amongst the best in the league. Ebony Marinoff wi0ll continue to dominate and Anne Hatchard will back up her breakout 2019 season with an even better one.
It will be interesting to see where Courtney Gum goes in amongst all this – had a great 2018, but her 2019 was indifferent to say the least. Up forward is still as lethal as it has ever been with the likes of Danielle Ponter, Eloise Jones, Ruth Wallace returning and the goal-kicking champion from last season in Stevie-Lee Thompson. The back-line will still have the likes of Sarah Allen, Dayna Cox, Renee Forth, Angela Foley and Marijana Rajicic holding down the fort, so I’ll pose the question to you all: Why can’t they go again?
Best 21
*Unavailable/unlikely Round 1
B: Marijana Rajcic, Sarah Allan, Dayna Cox HB: Courtney Cramey, Chelsea Randall*, Renee Forth MIDS: Rhiannon Metcalfe*, Ebony Marinoff, Erin Phillips*, Anne Hatchard HF: Ailish Considine, Ruth Wallace, Sophie Li F: Eloise Jones, Stevie-Lee Thompson, Danielle Ponter INT: Jess Foley, Montana McKinnon, Angela Foley, Deni Varnhagen, Courtney Gum
1st – North Melbourne
The Fixture
Round 1: v Melbourne (A) Round 2: v GWS (H) Round 3: v Richmond (A) Round 4: v Gold Coast (H) Round 5: v Adelaide (H) Round 6: v Geelong (A) Round 7: v Western Bulldogs (H) Round 8: v Brisbane (A)
Suffice to say that North Melbourne should’ve played Finals last year. But, losing two of the last three games, especially their loss to Fremantle in round seven last year, undid all their good work in the opening month. Season 2020 is a year to which there should be no excuse. They’ve maintained most of their list from 2019, and with the players that they have brought in, they should be playing Finals.
They will be without Jess Duffin this season due to pregnancy, she is arguably their best player in the defensive half. But they have the depth to cover the loss. I expect big years for Jess Trend, Emma Humphries and Jasmine Grierson, whilst Tahlia Randall and Danielle Hardiman will be hard to beat as key defenders. Up forward, the Roos look just as lively, with players such as Kaitlyn Ashmore, Sophie Abbatangelo, Ash Riddell, Daisy Bateman and Daria Bannister all capable of giving the defence plenty of headaches, with Jasmine Garner the big focal point up forward.
Their biggest problem was the lack of midfield depth. Emma Kearney is unquestionably a top-10 player in the league and Jenna Bruton starred in 2019 to take home the club’s best and fairest award, but last year it dipped after them and Jamie Stanton – who has now left to go to the Gold Coast. But have picked up two players from the Draft that should see plenty of time in the middle. Ellie Gavalas was North’s first pick from the 2019 Draft and starred for the Bulldogs’ VFLW team, whilst Mia King was perhaps the highest-rated teenager from Tasmania and can find the footy.
Best 21
* = Unavailable Round 1
B: Jasmine Grierson, Danielle Hardiman, Brittany Gibson HB: Jess Trend, Tahlia Randall, Jess Duffin* MIDS: Emma King, Emma Kearney, Jenna Bruton, Ellie Gavalas HF: Kaitlyn Ashmore, Jasmine Garner, Ash Riddell F: Sophie Abbatangelo, Kate Gillespie-Jones, Daria Bannister INT: Daisy Bateman, Mia King, Emma Humphries, Tahni Nestor, Nicole Bresnahan