TODAY is the day when 29 fresh faces become AFL Women’s players. Some may be past AFLW players, others might be first time elite level players. For the first time in the women’s space since the inaugural draft, the AFLW Draft will be purely focused on overage players.

In the lead-up to the AFLW Draft we take a look at some of the prominent whispers doing the rounds. Note, this piece was originally published on Monday April 3 and has since been updated.

>> All you need to know: AFLW Supplementary Draft Hub

What will Geelong do with Pick 1?

Though some believed Geelong was set to pull a surprise and elect for another international player, the Cats are set to select tall, Erin Hoare. The former ruck will regain her place as the tallest player in the AFL Women’s, with the Cats confirming they were only taking the one selection who would be a “giant” one, alluding to Hoare.

What will Port Adelaide do next?

The Power have been heavily linked to ex-Docker Jasmin Stewart, with the Claremont midfielder nominating the open draft. Given Fremantle holds pick three, it seems Port Adelaide will have to bounce on the balanced midfielder who has been in scintillating form for the Tigers since retiring from elite level football.

Victorian rivals to spoil Pies party?

Collingwood holds consecutive picks in the draft at 13 and 14, but is placed precariously behind a couple of Victorian rivals. Carlton traded its way into a second Top 10 selection during the off-season and given its need for midfield depth, could look towards a readymade option in Collingwood VFLW onballer Jessica Bates, who as been heavily linked to the Pies since crossing to the VFLW from Glenelg. Otherwise, Collingwood is well placed to snap her up. The Bulldogs also have a pick before the Magpies and could spoil a few plans.

Who else might the Blues grab?

Carlton has left its options open as to the direction of not only its Top 10 picks, but also its two later selections at Pick 20 and 28. Geelong VFLW tall Analea McKee drew interest from multiple clubs last year, and might be of interest to Victorian clubs once again. A later option linked to the Blues is Northern Knights co-captain Lulu Beatty, who is aligned to the Blues’ VFLW side and accumulated 22 disposals, nine marks, and six rebound 50s in her first Coates Talent League outing this year.

Are state nominations gospel?

In short, no. Recruiters and list managers are crafty enough to find draft loopholes and are said to have done so ahead of the supplementary intake. Particularly pertaining to NSW-nominated players, there are a few who have nominated to be drafted in said state, but with the intention of landing elsewhere. The Western Bulldogs, who hold three picks, are a chance to take one player before passing twice and landing a couple of interstate players as free agents after the fact. Watch this space.

Is this draft the NSW/ACT pathway’s crowning moment?

A big player in this year’s AFLW Overage Draft is the entire NSW/ACT pathway, with a plethora of names linked to clubs. Madeline Hendrie is playing at the Western Bulldogs VFLW, but Carlton could weigh up taking her before the Dogs have a chance.

Fellow Bulldogs VFLW teammate Dominique Carruthers is tipped to find a home, having previously been a Swans and GIANTS train-on. There’s also 2019 number four pick Maggie Gorham who looks like making a return three years in the making.

Other NSW/ACT players expected to land at AFLW level include Southern Power skipper Jemima Wrigley (Southern Saints) and Eleri Morris (Collingwood VFLW), as clubs look internally and at other aligned state league clubs for list top-ups.

GIANT calls?

GWS GIANTS head into the AFLW Overage Draft with two selections and have been strongly linked to two players with those picks. One is ex-Gold Coast Suns Academy utility Caitlin Miller who played as a tough forward for Queensland at last year’s AFLW Under 18 Championships. The other is Brianna McFarlane, who despite moving down to Victoria, got special dispensation to nominate New South Wales. Although, Sydney does not hold a pick and she is unlikely to land at the Giants, leaving Victoria as her potential home after all.

Which other players have been linked to clubs?

Port Adelaide can dictate those players nominating South Australia given Adelaide only has the last pick of the AFL Women’s Draft. North Adelaide ruck Isabelle Starmer has been heavily linked to the club to join fellow South Australian Matilda Scholz as some additional tall talent, having produced a number of consistent seasons.

Staying in South Australia, Iilish Ross has played herself into contention, much like Christina Bernardi over in the VFLW with Carlton. St Kilda may also look at its internal VFLW-tied stocks with Sandringham Dragons tall defender Georgia Foran piquing interest.

What will the Dockers do?

Fremantle does not West Coast to contend with in this year’s draft, and could pick up exclusive West Australians if required. South Fremantle ruck Ariana Hetherington is an outstanding athlete and one who could be picked up, as could Irish sensation Joanne Cregg who could follow in the footsteps of teammate Amy Mulholland after an impressive start to her WAFL Women’s career.

2023 AFLW OVERAGE DRAFT ORDER

#1 Geelong
#2 Port Adelaide
#3 Fremantle
#4 Hawthorn
#5 Carlton
#6 Gold Coast
#7 Fremantle
#8 GWS GIANTS
#9 Carlton
#10 Gold Coast
#11 Western Bulldogs
#12 Port Adelaide
#13 Collingwood
#14 Collingwood
#15 Western Bulldogs
#16 Port Adelaide
#17 Brisbane
#18 Fremantle
#19 Hawthorn
#20 Carlton
#21 St Kilda
#22 Fremantle
#23 GWS GIANTS
#24 Gold Coast
#25 Western Bulldogs
#26 North Melbourne
#27 Richmond
#28 Carlton
#29 Adelaide