3 minute read
A look at each team ahead of the 2022 AFLW season, with Brisbane trying to defend its flag.
A LOOK AT EACH TEAM AHEAD OF THE 2022 AFLW SEASON
ADELAIDE
Coach: Matthew Clarke
Captain: Chelsea Randall
2021: 1st on ladder (7-2), lost to Brisbane in the grand final
Key ins: Jasmyn Hewett (delisted free agent, Gold Coast), Jasmine Simmons (rookie, basketball)
Key outs: Chloe Scheer (Geelong), Deni Varnhagen (COVID-19 vaccination policy), Jess Sedunary (cycling)
Player to watch: Two-time league best-and-fairest winner Erin Phillips remains one of the competition's most dangerous goal-kicking midfielders at the age of 36.
Predicted finish: 2nd
BRISBANE
Coach: Craig Starcevich
Captain: Breanna Koenen
2021: 2nd on ladder (7-2), beat Adelaide in grand final
Key ins: Phoebe Monahan (Richmond), Maggie Harmer (draft)
Key outs: Lauren Arnell (retired), Emma Zielke (retired)
Player to watch: The Lions' staunch back-line will be led again by All-Australian defender Kate Lutkins, who was named best-on-ground in last year's grand final.
Predicted finish: 3rd
CARLTON
Coach: Daniel Harford
Captain: Kerryn Harrington
2021: 7th (5-4)
Key ins: Jess Dal Pos (GWS)
Key outs: Chloe Dalton (GWS), Tayla Harris (Melbourne), Jess Hosking (Richmond), Katie Loynes (GWS)
Player to watch: Powerful midfielder Maddy Prespakis has quickly become one of the competition's most dominant players over the past three seasons.
Predicted finish: 8th
COLLINGWOOD
Coach: Steve Symonds
Captains: Steph Chiocci and Bri Davey
2021: 3rd on ladder (7-2), lost to Brisbane in preliminary final
Key ins: Alison Downie (delisted free agent, Carlton), Sabrina Frederick (Richmond)
Key outs: Maddie Shevlin (Richmond), Sharni Norder (retired), Abbey Green (retired)
Player to watch: A genuine matchwinner in attack, Chloe Molloy is fast, strong and agile - and knows her way to goal. Inspires teammates with her energy.
Predicted finish: 5th
FREMANTLE
Coach: Trent Cooper
Captain: Hayley Miller
2021: 5th on ladder (6-3), lost to Melbourne in qualifying final
Key ins: Amy Franklin (draft), Dana East (draft)
Key outs: Evie Gooch (West Coast), Sabreena Duffy (work)
Player to watch: Gemma Houghton's five-goal haul in the western derby win over West Coast showcased her amazing talent, and she is also damaging on the wing.
Predicted finish: 4th
GEELONG
Coach: Dan Lowther
Captain: Meg McDonald
2021: 13th (1-8)
Key ins: Chantel Emonson (Melbourne), Chloe Scheer (Adelaide), Georgie Prespakis (draft)
Key outs: Olivia Purcell (Melbourne), Aasta O'Connor (retired), Richelle Cranston (delisted, then Western Bulldogs)
Player to watch: After two seasons derailed by serious knee injuries, talented midfielder Nina Morrison should finally get her chance to shine in the Cats' engine room.
Predicted finish: 13th
GOLD COAST
Coach: Cameron Joyce
Captain: Hannah Dunn
2021: Last (0-9)
Key ins: Vivien Saad (North Melbourne), Claudia Whitfort (St Kilda), Charlie Rowbottom (draft)
Key outs: Maddi Levi (rugby), Teagan Levi (rugby)
Player to watch: Key defender Lauren Ahrens was a bright light for Gold Coast in their wooden spoon year and has been battling a foot injury in pre-season, but should return early in the campaign.
Predicted finish: Last
GWS
Coach: Alan McConnell
Captain: Alicia Eva
2021: 9th (4-5)
Key ins: Chloe Dalton (Carlton), Jasmine Grierson (North Melbourne), Katie Loynes (Carlton)
Key outs: Elle Bennetts (Western Bulldogs), Jess Dal Pos (Carlton), Aimee Schmidt (West Coast)
Player to watch: Young defender Georgia Garnett has been flagged as a star on the rise, impressing with her clean ball-use and ability to cut off opponents' attacking forays.
Predicted finish: 9th
MELBOURNE
Coach: Mick Stinear
Captain: Daisy Pearce
2021: 4th on ladder (4-2), lost to Adelaide in preliminary final
Key ins: Tayla Harris (Carlton), Olivia Purcell (Geelong)
Key outs: Tegan Cunningham (retired), Chantel Emonson (Geelong), Meg Downie (retired)
Player to watch: Big-name recruit Tayla Harris is aiming to rekindle her best form after joining her third AFLW club.
Predicted finish: Premiers
NORTH MELBOURNE
Coach: Darren Crocker
Captain: Emma Kearney
2021: 6th on ladder (6-3), lost to Collingwood in qualifying final
Key ins: Kim Rennie (Western Bulldogs), Tess Craven (draft)
Key outs: Vivien Saad (Gold Coast), Jasmine Grierson (GWS)
Player to watch: Ruck-forward Emma King has been appointed a vice-captain in a new-look leadership group and will be allowed to spend more time in attack as Kim Rennie takes the lead ruck role.
Predicted finish: 6th
RICHMOND
Coach: Ryan Ferguson
Captain: Katie Brennan
2021: 10th (3-6)
Key ins: Jess Hosking (Carlton), Poppy Kelly (St Kilda), Maddie Shevlin (Collingwood)
Key outs: Sabrina Frederick (Collingwood), Phoebe Monahan (delisted, then Brisbane), Alana Woodward (delisted, then St Kilda)
Player to watch: Dual-code star Monique Conti is brilliant in traffic and equally effective on the outside.
Predicted finish: 11th
ST KILDA
Coach: Nick Dal Santo
Captain: Hannah Priest
2021: 11th (3-6)
Key ins: Alana Woodward (delisted free agent, Richmond), Lucy Burke (Southern Saints VFLW, replacement player)
Key outs: Poppy Kelly (Richmond), Claudia Whitfort (Gold Coast), Selena Karlson (retired)
Player to watch: Young star Georgia Patrikios has taken leave from the club because she is not vaccinated against COVID-19. The 20-year-old was the Saints' best performer over the past two seasons and is still on the club's active player list.
Predicted finish: 10th
WEST COAST
Coach: Michael Prior
Captain: Emma Swanson
2021: 12th (2-7)
Key ins: Evie Gooch (Fremantle), Aimee Schmidt (GWS)
Key outs: Alicia Janz (delisted)
Player to watch: Star midfielder Dana Hooker managed just one game last season before slicing open her foot in a freak kitchen accident. She is fully healed now and primed for a huge campaign.
Predicted finish: 12th
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Coach: Nathan Burke
Captain: Ellie Blackburn
2021: 8th (5-4)
Key ins: Elle Bennetts (GWS), Richelle Cranston (free agent)
Key outs: Gabby Newton (shoulder), Angelica Gogos(retired)
Player to watch: Richelle 'Rocky' Cranston was delisted by Geelong at the end of last season but could add some X-factor to the Bulldogs' forward line.
Predicted finish: 7th
