Bold expert verdict and predicted ladder range for EVERY AFLW club ahead of season 10

The AFLW kicks off tomorrow with traditional rivals Carlton and Collingwood going head to head to open season 10.

North Melbourne remain hot favourites to make it back-to-back premierships after dismantling the Lions in last year’s decider.

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Carlton are tipped to be a big improver while 2024 underperformers Geelong are set to shine; and don’t sleep on the two Sydney clubs making a move, according to Fox Footy’s AFLW expert Chyloe Kurdas.

Kurdas and foxfooty.com.au preview every AFLW team and predict their ladder range for the upcoming season.

ADELAIDE CROWS

Best finish: Premiers (2017, 2019, 2022)

Worst finish: 6th (2020 – Conference A)

Key list changes: The perennial contenders have topped up their list with handy additions over the off-season. They picked up Grace Kelly from St Kilda and invested in nabbing India Rasheed in the draft. Hannah Ewings, the Season 7 Rising Star winner, has also crossed from rivals Port Adelaide to bolster the side — and if it clicks for her at the Crows, watch out. And while it’s not an official list change, the return of dual premiership Crow Eloise Jones, who missed most of last year due to an Achilles rupture, is a significant inclusion. But the big out for the Crows is veteran Deni Varnhagen who has retired.

Chyloe Kurdas’ expert verdict: “I’d imagine Adelaide should finish top four again, they’ve just got so much experience and so much development into their top players. I wonder about the expectation of Doc’s (Matthew Clarke) last season as coach, and how that maybe plays out in the psychology of the season as well for Adelaide. Is it a millstone or is he their 19th player on the field? Obviously that waits to be seen. You’d imagine they’d be in top-four contention again, but have they added enough to take the next step up to a fourth premiership? I don’t know. The question mark also sits around Rasheed — and other top-end draftees from last year: Can she navigate and manage the expectation as a high-profile draft pick? But given the culture and the people around her in Adelaide, you’d think she’d be in a pretty good position.”

Foxfooty.com.au’s predicted ladder range: 1st-4th

AFLW captains join together ahead of season 10. Source: News Corp Australia

BRISBANE LIONS

Best finish: Premiers (2021, 2023)

Worst finish: 4th (2019 – Conference B)

Key list changes: A quiet off-season for the reliable and stable Lions, who’ve remarkably featured in six of the nine AFLW grand finals ever played. Kate Lutkins and Jade Pregelj have retired – but both struggled for game time in 2024. At the draft Brisbane opted for Lilly Baker (academy ruck) and Claudia Wright (defender/midfielder) to bolster the side, while Irish rising star Neasa Dooley comes in to the attack end.

Chyloe Kurdas’ expert verdict: “You’d expect them to be a contender – certainly a grand final contender — given their track record and the fact they’ve not lost a lot. They keep supporting the young ones coming through and they’ve got really good systems and structures around them. They’ve shown they’re really resilient and can reinvent themselves. But how do they recover from last year’s grand final belting? They got shown up and really struggled in that decider, fumbling under pressure and uncharacteristically and not rising to the occasion. There’s a piece if you think about Sydney men’s team in the 2024 grand final … and what happens following a loss like that. They had two bad losses against North Melbourne to bookend their season — Round 1 against the Roos was their biggest loss ever and then the grand final — can they find the improvement to close that gap? What’s their psychology after a loss like that? We’d say it’s pretty good, given what we know about them and how well coached they are in all facets of the game. But we’ve never seen them have to rebound from a grand final result like that.”

Foxfooty.com.au’s predicted ladder range: 1st-4th

CARLTON

Best finish: Runners-up (2019)

Worst finish: Wooden spoon (2018)

Key list changes: A massive overhaul at the Blues. The likes of Tarni Brown (personal) and Kerryn Peterson (pregnancy) won’t be there for 2025, but there’s been a boost in attack with Tara Bohanna arriving from the Gold Coast. The Blues also drafted Poppy Scholz – whose mum Peta played netball for Australia, and sister Matilda currently plays for Port Adelaide.

Chyloe Kurdas’ expert verdict: “With ‘Kez’ (Peterson), not in the captaincy role, there’s an opportunity for ‘second generation Carlton’. You’ve got these two kids who weren’t in that first crop from Season 1 — and now they’re leaders. I’m really excited by what Abbie McKay and Mimi Hill might do as they build their own brand and be the next part of this rebuild at Carlton. I’d imagine the Blues will be middle of the road again. I can’t see them making a massive leap, but you’re hoping for consolidation, stability and growth in all areas of the ground. Tara Bohanna is a big inclusion. Apart from Darcy Vescio, the Blues haven’t really had that strong marking forward that can offset how Darcy plays. So Bohanna is a brilliant inclusion into the team, she’s a brilliant contested mark, she’s a great finisher and she’s got strong leadership. I would imagine she’s got some great learnings that she can help contribute to the evolution of the Carlton team.”

Foxfooty.com.au’s predicted ladder range: 13th-16th

Carlton has five Irish girls on their 2025 AFLW list – Erone Fitzpatrick, Maria Cannon, Dayna Finn, Aisling Reidy and Siofra O'Connell. Source: News Corp Australia

COLLINGWOOD

Best finish: 3rd (2021)

Worst finish: Wooden spoon (2019 – Conference B, 2024)

Key list changes: The Pies secured top young talent Ash Centra with the prized No.1 draft pick after their wooden spoon finish last season. Airlie Runnalls has crossed from the Dockers and will be a handy in, but Collingwood’s other recruit, Mattea Breed from Hawthorn, will miss the 2025 season through injury. Already the Pies will be without full-back Stacey Livingstone who retired, along with Aishling Sheridan.

Chyloe Kurdas’ expert verdict: “Ash Centra is a beautiful footballer. She reminds me of a cross between a Jenna Bruton and a Kirby Bentley — she can dance a little bit like Kirby and she has all the time in the world like Jenna. She’s played a lot of country footy with the boys growing up, but the challenge now is as the No.1 draft pick, what’s the expectation? From all reports she’s an incredibly humble person and had worker, which will hold her in good stead. But there’s a lot of expectation that goes with Collingwood and going to the lowest-finishing team, so what’s going to be the pressure on her being the ‘saviour’ of the club? How does she manage that and how does the club manage the narrative around that? Centra is not the only thing they needed, because they’ve lost that really strong tall defender (Livingstone) … and up forward they had some issues, although Nell Morris-Dalton is due to come back mid-season and Kalinda Howarth has got tricks. I just think there are just far too many holes to plug at Collingwood. With stability and consolidation they can get better, but you’d be looking for improvement on last season’s wooden spoon finish.”

Foxfooty.com.au’s predicted ladder range: 15th-18th

ESSENDON

Best finish: 7th (2023)

Worst finish: 10th (2022 S7)

Key list changes: Much like their AFL counterparts, the Bombers are battling some pretty serious injuries with Emily Gough and Amelia Radford inactive due to ACL tears. First-rounders Amber Clarke (St Kilda) and Paige Scott (Richmond) have departed along with talented defender Ashleigh Van Loon (Sydney). Courtney Murphy arrives from the Giants while ex-Kiwi rugby union player Grace Booker has signed up for 2025.

Chyloe Kurdas’ expert verdict: “It’s not ideal coming into a season with the injury list they’ve got … but there’s some really great talent there in that team. Essendon plays a really offensive brand of football and the vulnerability is when the ball transitions the other way — that’s where they need a bit more growth and balance. But you also need cattle on the park. There’s going to be opportunities for the younger kids and it’ll be up to coach Nat Wood to be able to grow those kids, get games into some of those younger players that potentially wouldn’t have gotten them in the past. The opportunity is there for the Bombers to fast track the development of some younger players and if they can get some of those older bodies back in the team for the second half of the season, maybe they can make up some space in the ladder. I do think they’ve been pretty fortunate with the fixture in the past two years and helped their ladder position — and the evidence around that is their end-of-year performances. 

Foxfooty.com.au’s predicted ladder range: 8th-11th

No. 1 draft pick and AFLW phenom Ash Centra. Source: News Corp Australia

FREMANTLE

Best finish: 1st (2020 – Conference B)

Worst finish: 13th (2023)

Key list changes:Mikayla Morrison will be missed at Freo after retiring at just 22 years of age after two serious knee injuries. Ebony Antonio also misses 2025 due to pregnancy. The Dockers opted to go for height in the draft with Georgie Brisbane, Evie Parker and Indi Strom – sister of Dockers 2024 best and fairest Mim, arriving.

Chyloe Kurdas’ expert verdict: “I really liked how well they finished last year. I think they are incredibly well-coached by Lisa Webb, who I don’t think gets the credit she deserves. I think they’re a really aligned team and she’s had to spend some time moving some players around into different positions. I think they’ve rebuilt themselves really well and I like how they play their footy. I think they’re that middle-bottom of the eight kind of contender. There’s a good chance they’ll push to be in finals again with the mature group they’ve got.”

Foxfooty.com.au’s predicted ladder range: 6th-9th

GEELONG

Best finish: 2nd (2019 – Conference B)

Worst finish: 13th (2021)

Key list changes: The Cats are without Chantel Emonson (pregnant) and Anna-Rose Kennedy (returned to Ireland) for 2025, while Darcy Moloney has left for Sydney. But they’ve promoted volleyballer Caitie Tipping and picked up Piper Dunlop to help fill some missing height.

Chyloe Kurdas’ expert verdict: “They’re such an interesting unit. On paper, I think Geelong are a brilliant team and way better than what their results showed last year. They’ve got a dangerous attack that can really stretch the oppositions, exciting mids who can go forward and a defensive unit that’s very consistent so no doubt they’d be disappointed with their 2024 result. But Chloe Scheer being out last year really messed up their forward structure — and she’s still out with that toe injury. If she gets back and you put her with Kate Darby and Ash Moloney, they’re so dangerous. I am curious about the mental growth in that group to overcome a disappointing season. But they’ve got too much talent to right off they won’t be a finals contender. They should be a contender for finals.”

Foxfooty.com.au’s predicted ladder range: 7th-10th

AFLW captains together in Melbourne. Source: News Corp Australia

GOLD COAST SUNS

Best finish: 4th (2020 – Conference A)

Worst finish: Wooden spoon (2021)

Key list changes:Tara Bohanna has departed for Carlton, but there’s plenty of upside to the Suns’ ins for 2025. Lily Mithen arrives from Melbourne, bringing some much-needed experience while big things are predicted from young Havana Harris – a ruck who can play mid. She’s joined by a host of her Academy teammates as inclusions for 2026 in great signs for new coach Rhyce Shaw.

Chyloe Kurdas’ expert verdict: “The Suns’ Academy is really strong and the club has invested in women’s footy for a long, long time. It’s not just Havana, these kids have played all their local footy and teenage years together, so there’s no unfamiliarity with the club or adjustment needed because they’ve grown up in that club. It’s a real advantage other clubs don’t have. Add in the fact they’ve been able to lure premiership Demon Lily Mithen and ability to retain Charlie Rowbottom probably says something about what the club’s leadership is trying to put around the playing group. Charlie could’ve gone anywhere — and the lure of Sydney and reuniting with her brother (James Rowbottom would be a massive pull — but she’s stayed and I think that says a lot. From all reports, the group is fitter again. You’ve got this group of kids coming through now that put a lot of pressure on players who’ve previously been able to step into positions. There’s now internal pressure for spots, which is a really healthy thing.”

Foxfooty.com.au’s predicted ladder range: 13th-16th

GWS GIANTS

Best finish: Second (2020 – Conference A)

Worst finish: Wooden spoon (2017)

Key list changes: The Giants brought in a host of new faces. Grace Kos arrives from Ireland with big hype, Eleanor Brown crosses from the Bulldogs while Taylah Levy (Adelaide) and Viv Saad (Gold Coast) are also new on the list. Pepa Randall and Annise Bradfield have retired while inaugural Giant Nicola Barr has headed to St Kilda.

Chyloe Kurdas’ expert verdict: “I think they turn over their list pretty heavily every year — and part of that is because the Sydney teams run a little thin at the bottom-end of their list, unfortunately, because it’s hard to attract and retain talent. But I think their top-end talent is great and we all love watching their style of footy when they get up and going with their brand. Plus there’s some really good years of footy into some of those younger players now, like Zarlie Goldsworthy for instance. But what have they done in the off -season to correct their ability to win the contested game, the inside game? Their game plan has been this run-and-gun outside footy … But we need to see them put their head over it and do that more often. My question is: How have they adjusted the coaching style to account for the lack of contested ball-winning ability that we’ve seen in the Giants previously?”

Foxfooty.com.au’s predicted ladder range: 11th-14th

Top 2024 draft picks Poppy Scholz, Sara Howley, Havana Harris, Ash Centra, Molly O'Hehir and Zippy Fish. Source: Getty Images

HAWTHORN

Best finish: 2nd (2024)

Worst finish: 15th (2022 S7)

Key list changes: After a strong finish to last season — outside of the straight-sets finals exit — the Hawks have opted to bolster their backline with Najwa Allen arriving from Adelaide. Keely Coyne has also been brought in as a delisted free agent from the Western Bulldogs. Mattea Breed (Collingwood) will be missed through the middle while Lou Stephenson has headed to the Bulldogs.

Chyloe Kurdas’ expert verdict: “I think they’re a top-four contender this season. Last year’s straight-sets exit will be burning, I think they’ll be hurting a lot. How Hawthorn play is a very similar style to Brisbane: Really tough on the inside, hard, gut-busting run on the outside. I feel like they should contend for a premiership — and at least make a grand final in the next three years – if they keep on the trajectory.”

Foxfooty.com.au’s predicted ladder range: 3rd-6th

MELBOURNE

Best finish: Premiers (2022 S7)

Worst finish: 9th (2024)

Key list changes: Despite failing to find a trade for star Tayla Harris, there’s still a few fresh faces at the club for 2025. Talented tall Molly O’Hehir arrives with Pick 2 after the trade of inaugural Dee Lily Mithen to the Suns. Amelia Dethridge was also drafted after turning her back on representative hockey to chase her AFLW dream.

Chyloe Kurdas’ expert verdict: “I feel like their really good young kids, like Jemma Rigoni, aren’t experienced enough yet to fill the holes left by players that have retired or moved on. And they’ve also struggled to retain some of their more promising talent as well, like Eliza West for instance — that was a big loss. I’d expect a similar performance and consistent ladder finish to last year.”

Foxfooty.com.au’s predicted ladder range: 9th-12th

Roo Jasmine Garner with the premiership cup. Source: Getty Images

NORTH MELBOURNE

Best finish: Premiers (2024)

Worst finish: 8th (2022 S7)

Key list changes: It was dubbed the shock of the trade period as the Roos snapped up two-time All Australian Eilish Sheerin from the Tigers. As expected for reining premiers, a host of rivals came calling for their players with Liz McGrath (West Coast) and Lulu Puller (Sydney) departing.

Chyloe Kurdas’ expert verdict: “North Melbourne have got a sniff of winning and they just love it. And they’ve worked so bloody hard to get to that point that I just can’t see there being anything that would stop them going as hard, if not harder, again. The Roos got a taste of the ultimate success and I think they’ll be doing everything in their power to stay as reigning premiers. Their list is at a good age for peak power, while you’ve got Emma Kearney going around again, Kate Shierlaw going around again – they are a little bit older and might be managed a bit more — so it’s hard to see why the Roos wouldn’t be a contender again.”

Foxfooty.com.au’s predicted ladder range: 1st-4th

PORT ADELAIDE

Best finish: 6th (2024)

Worst finish: 17th (2022 S7)

Key list changes: Port looks like it’s going to field a younger side in 2025 following on from the retirements of Hannah Dunn, Ange Foley, Maddy Keryk and Olivia Levicki. But Hannah Ewings has crossed to rival Adelaide and gun intercept defender Ella Heads arrives from Sydney, while the Power went hard at the draft picking up five players, including West Aussie Lily Paterson with their Round 1 selection.

Chyloe Kurdas’ expert verdict: “While they’ve lost a few, I think it was their younger players last year that drove their ascent. The Power are an incredibly well-coached team by Lauren Arnell, she’s really introspective, she drives high standards and she’s got a brilliant football mind. She has certain expectations and standards that give players really good structure. I think younger players really lap up what Lauren’s got to offer and she’s an incredible teacher of young people. So while there is a bit of loss of leadership, Port’s youth will be an asset for long-term success, rather than a detriment for them.”

Foxfooty.com.au’s predicted ladder range: 4th-7th

Eilish Sheerin was the biggest move of the AFLW Trade period. Source: Getty Images

RICHMOND

Best finish: Fourth (2022 S7)

Worst finish: Wooden spoon (2020 – Conference A)

Key list changes: Eilish Sheerin is the big name to depart after Richmond’s finals appearance in 2024. She’s joined by Imogen Brown (Sydney) and Tamara Luke (retired) in the outs. Paige Scott arrives via the draft after her time at Essendon, Montana Beruldsen from Sydney and Lauren Brazzale (from Collingwood) who will serve as a replacement player given the Tigers’ injury list.

Chyloe Kurdas’ expert verdict: “There’s a lot of talent at the Tigers, especially that midfield with Grace Egan, Mon Conti and Ellie McKenzie. They lose Sheerin, which will change up their structure. Courtney Wakefield going out last year also meant a bit of change and I think it took them some time to adjust. It meant Katie Brennan had to play a bit more inside and contested as a key forward — which is not her style — and it’s taken Caitlin Greiser some time to learn their system. But those things are in place now. The challenge will be getting the Tigers to play to their potential. I think they’ll again be pushing that bottom-end of the top eight, some people would say they’ve got the talent to go beyond that. The depth is in their midfield — and their best forwards and backs are very good — but I think they run a bit shallow at both ends of the ground.”

Foxfooty.com.au’s predicted ladder range: 8th-11th

ST KILDA

Best finish: 5th (2020 – Conference B)

Worst finish: 13th (2022, 2022 S7)

Key list changes:Steph Chiocci has retired after just two seasons at the club while Grace Kelly has signed for Adelaide. But the Saints have been boosted by the arrival of former Giant Nicola Barr, Amber Clarke from the Bombers and Charlotte Baskaran from the Hawks.

Chyloe Kurdas’ expert verdict: “The Saints’ depth is pretty consistent across each line, but in terms of their elite star power players that can change the game off their own boot, they’re probably a bit light on. I think in terms of natural talent and ability, Georgia Patrikios is their best natural talent. For someone who’s got amazing talent — she is a brilliant footballer — we haven’t seen the best of her because she’s been in and out for different years. She missed all of last year, plus missed a fair bit around Covid times, so it’s crucial she has a big season. Amber Clarke and Nic Barr coming in is great, but Jamiee Lambert plays a really hard style of footy and I wonder how long that’s going to ensure for. I think they’re going to finish in the third-quarter or so of the ladder. I can’t see that the inclusions they’ve brought in are going to elevate them beyond where they’ve been.”

Foxfooty.com.au’s predicted ladder range: 10th-13th

SYDNEY SWANS

Best finish: 8th (2023)

Worst finish: Wooden spoon (2022 S7)

Key list changes: Arguably the most list changes for next season, the Swans were big players at the trade table. Imogen Brown (Richmond), Darcy Moloney (Geelong), Lulu Pullar (Roos) and Ash Van Loon (Essendon) all arrived, alongside talented West Aussie top five draft pick Zippy Fish. But in return, they lose Montana Beruldsen (Richmond), Ella Heads (Port Adelaide) and Bella Smith (Fremantle) while Hayley Bullas, Brooke Lochland and Alana Woodward are now retired.

Chyloe Kurdas’ expert verdict: “Since Season 1, they’ve been pretty honest and strategic around each year finding some cream while losing some of those original players. The Swans are probably one of the best clubs around in terms of how they’ve integrated a women’s team. They’ve been exceptional at that. The players have got access to everything they need to become the best players they can be. They’re well coached, but their success will hinge on injuries in 2025. Getting back star Chloe Molloy is certainly super helpful, and their top draft pick Zippy Fish has slotted in beautifully by all reports. I think there’s a lot of belief in Sydney. I think they believe they can be a top eight contender this year.”

Foxfooty.com.au’s predicted ladder range: 7th-10th

Molloy reveals mental toll of ACL injury | 03:01

WEST COAST

Best finish: 12th (2021)

Worst finish: Wooden spoon (2022, 2020 – Conference B)

Key list changes: The Eagles were swift with their list changes, delisting eight players while Jess Hosking has left the club due to personal reasons. After nabbing Liz McGrath from the reigning premiers, the Eagles invested heavily in the draft snapping up Victorian Lucia Painter with their first pick.

Chyloe Kurdas’ expert verdict: “The young players relish having Daisy Pearce in that environment. You’ve got second year of her investing in some great young players coming through, we’ve seen a turnover in the captaincy and the appointment of young women into leadership roles — that’s a real statement in itself. Daisy is leading this West Coast 3.0 version and it’s exciting for them. She’s got really strong standards, structure and a really good framework to get the best out of the team and individuals. While it’s going to take more than one or two seasons to traverse up the ladder, this year is a year of consolidation on last season and then stretching just how high they can climb. I can’t see them being a top-eight contender, but I think it’ll be another good year of improvement.”

Foxfooty.com.au’s predicted ladder range: 15th-18th

WESTERN BULLDOGS

Best finish: Premiers (2018)

Worst finish: Wooden spoon (2023, 2019 – Conference A)

Key list changes: Not a lot of change for the Dogs, with five players delisted including injured Jorja Borg. Lou Stephenson has joined the club from the Hawks while forward Emma McDonald headlines the draft inclusions, taken with Pick 8.

Chyloe Kurdas’ expert verdict: “Already there’s a bit of impact of injury. Deanna Berry and Isabelle Pritchard — two reliable, core leaders — are sidelined too. But the upside is Elle Bennetts was back last year, and they’ve added Lou Stephenson who has plenty of experience and from all reports is loving the experience. We saw a player like Jess Fitzgerald given the opportunity to step up in Ellie Blackburn’s absence last year. Jess is so talented and thinks about the game really cleverly, but for different reasons we hadn’t seen that level of brilliance consistently yet. Can she continue to make the most of that opportunity? I didn’t think they were as bad as others made them out to be early last season, I just thought there was a lot of turnover last year with a new-look forward line. This will be another year of consolidation and seeing what they can do.”

Foxfooty.com.au’s predicted ladder range: 15th-18th

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