THE final ever AFLW Expansion pre-signing period has come and gone, so let us take a look at who has been pre listed by each of the final four expansion teams ahead of the Trade Period and the Draft, as well as the indicative draft order as things stand at the moment. The Draft order is subject to change depending on what happens in the Trade Period, which started today.

Essendon

Essendon have gone big and gone hard with their signing period, and Bombers fans should get excited about what next season may entail.

They picked up a number of well known and exciting current AFLW stars, including:

• Exciting pair Georgia Gee and Madison Prespakis from Carlton
• Sophie Van De Heuvel from Geelong
• Saints pair Jacqui Vogt and Catherine Phillips
• Sophie Alexander from Collingwood
• Stephanie Cain from Fremantle
• Daria Bannister from North Melbourne and
• Dogs pair Bonnie Toogood and Ellyse Gamble.

They have also recruited heavily from their VFLW program, picking up:

• Irish star and former AFLW Blue Joanne Doonan
• former AFLW Bulldog Danielle Marshall
• current VFLW leading goal kicker Federica Frew and
• Essendon VFLW skipper and former AFLW Roo Georgia Nanscawen.

Essendon was not the only VFLW side the AFLW Bombers recruited from, pinching Jorja Borg from Carlton.

The Bombers also recruited from the NAB League, picking up Caitlin Sargent from the Western Jets.  

Hawthorn

Hawthorn have not gone as big as their fellow Victorian expansion side, but still got some very exciting players.

In terms of current AFLW talent, they have picked up:

• Janet Baird and Sarah Perkins from Gold Coast
• Aileen Gilroy and Jess Duffin from North Melbourne
• Tilly Lucas-Rodd from St Kilda and
• Louise Stephenson from GWS

Most of their pre signings have come from the VFLW.  

From Hawthorn’s own VFLW side they have signed the side’s captain Tamara Luke, Dominique Carbone, Jenna Richardson and Eliza Shannon, while from other VFLW sides they have picked up exciting forwards Tahlia Fellows from Casey and Sophie Locke from Port Melbourne.

Hawthorn have also picked up a pair of NAB League players, signing Bridget Deed from the Eastern Ranges and Zoe Barbakos from the Sandringham Dragons.

Port Adelaide

Port went for a very different strategy to the two Victorian expansion sides, mostly raiding other AFLW clubs, but they did land arguably the biggest fish out there.

Adelaide captain Erin Phillips has made the move across to Alberton, bringing with her team mates Angela Foley and Justine Mules.

The other current AFLW players that have signed with Port are:

• Ebony O’Dea from Collingwood
• Brisbane pair Indy Tahau and Maria Moloney
• Fremantle duo Gemma Houghton and Maggie Maclachlan
• Former Gold Coast captain Hannah Dunn

Port have not just exclusively raided the other AFLW clubs. They have also picked up Laquoiya and Litonya Cockatoo-Motlap from Bond Uni in the QAFLW. The sisters are also the nieces of former Power Che Cockatoo-Collins.

Port have also signed SANFLW pair Jade De Melo and Jade Halfpenny.

Sydney

Sydney have gone with a completely different strategy all together, looking far and wide in their search for pre-signings.

In terms of AFLW talent, they have not just pinched from GWS, but did pick up Lisa Steane and Rebecca Privitelli from their crosstown rival.

They have also signed Pies pair Bella Smith and Aliesha Newman, as well as now former Roo Alexia Hamilton.

Maddy Collier and Brenna Tarrant have also signed with the Swans, who are both originally from NSW but come home from interstate AFLW clubs.

The Swans have also looked to the VFLW for some hidden gems, including Jaide Anthony, Molly Eastman, Lauren Szigeti and Aimee Whelan.

Ruby Sargent-Wilson and Sarah Ford are also coming home to play in the AFLW, after plying their trade in interstate state leagues.
They have also picked a number of local talent from Sydney, including Ella Heads, Kiara Bessley and Zoe Hurrell.

Indicative Draft Order (subject to change)

1 – Sydney
2 – Hawthorn
3 – Port Adelaide
4 – Essendon
5 – Sydney
6 – Hawthorn
7 – Port Adelaide
8 – Essendon
9 – Hawthorn
10 – Hawthorn
11 – Sydney
12 – Sydney
13 – Sydney
14 – West Coast
15 – West Coast
16 – St Kilda
17 – Geelong
18 – Richmond
19 – Gold Coast
20 – GWS
21 – Carlton
22 – Hawthorn
23 – Port Adelaide
24 – Western Bulldogs
25 – Collingwood
26 – North Melbourne
27 – Fremantle
28 – St Kilda
29 – Sydney
30 – Hawthorn
31 – Port Adelaide
32 – Essendon
33 – Hawthorn
34 – Port Adelaide
35 – Essendon
36 – West Coast
37 – St Kilda
38 – Carlton
39 – North Melbourne
40 – Fremantle
41 – Brisbane
42 – Melbourne
43 – Adelaide
44 – Sydney
45 – Hawthorn
46 – Port Adelaide
47 – Essendon
48 – West Coast
49 – Gold Coast
50 – West Coast
51 – Geelong
52 – Richmond
53 – Gold Coast
54 – GWS
55 – Carlton
56 – Western Bulldogs
57 – Collingwood
58 – Brisbane
59 – Melbourne
60 – Adelaide
61 – Sydney
62 – Hawthorn
63 – Port Adelaide
64 – Essendon
65 – West Coast
66 – St Kilda
67 – Geelong
68 – Richmond
69 – Gold Coast
70 – GWS
71 – Carlton
72 – Western Bulldogs
73 – Collingwood
74 – North Melbourne
75 – Fremantle
76 – Brisbane
77 – Melbourne
78 – Adelaide
79 – Sydney
80 – Hawthorn
81 – Port Adelaide
82 – Essendon