EACH year in our AFLW Draft Guide we name the top prospects to look at for the following year’s draft. Now midway through the 2024 AFL Women’s Under 18 Championships – and four and a half months until the AFLW Draft – we highlight some names to remember for 2025.

The list is not exhaustive and merely suggests 25 names who have caught the eye, with no doubt more to pop up across the remaining national championships and state league competitions that remain. Our 25 in 2025 is done in alphabetical order.

Jordyn Allen (Eastern Ranges / Vic Metro)
Defender / Wing | 166cm | 12/11/2007

A unique player in many ways compared to the rest of this list, Allen is one of the top outside prospects in the group. One of a number of Eastern Ranges prospects, Allen has developed from being a half-back to a midfielder, but has found her place on a wing. She is a high metres gained player with explosive speed, clean skills and smart decision making capabilities. It will be interesting to see how much inside minutes she gets next year, because she is such a damaging outside talent.

Chloe Baker-West (Calder Cannons / Vic Metro)
Small Utility | 163cm | 02/02/2007

The reigning back-to-back Vic Metro Under 16s MVP, Baker-West has had an interrupted Coates Talent League Girls season due to injury and school football commitments. A natural ball-winner who can easily rack up 30-plus – and sometimes 40-plus – disposals, Baker-West has been deployed on all three lines. She gets into the right spaces, has an elite tank and is strong in the hips to shrug off would-be tacklers. Has missed this year’s national championships due to injury but is no stranger to the big occasion.

Dekota Baron (Southport / Suns Academy / Queensland)
Tall Forward | 178cm | 03/01/2007

An athletic, strong key forward who is usually a reliable source of scoring, Baron is a top-end talent who is likely to land in the top five spots. She has always been a strong contested marker, but has developed her first few steps over time to be so potent on the lead. Baron has the capacity to get up around the ball and have a stint in the ruck too, but expect her to be a forward who pinch-hits in the ruck at the top level. One who has the capacity to kick bags of goals, and can be very damaging by foot in the field as well.

Mischa Barwin (Lauderdale / Tasmania)
Forward / Midfielder | 164cm | 04/12/2007

A player who burst onto the scene in the 2024 Coates Talent League Girls season, Barwin has proven herself to be somewhat of an X-factor in the front half of the ground. Often playing that high half-forward role – though capable of rolling into the midfield or playing deeper in attack – Barwin has fantastic evasive skills and smarts to draw free kicks too. She projects as more of a midfielder next year, but the Devils are not short on those, so expect her bursts through there to be a great point of difference.

Priya Bowering (Lauderdale / Tasmania)
Midfielder | 167cm | 02/01/2007

The other Tasmanian in the list, Bowering has long been touted as the Apple Isle’s top prospect for 2025. As strong as they come, Bowering is an old fashioned footballer in many regards in the way that she is a see-ball, get-ball type who can be a primarily first possession winner. The Tasmanian excels around the clearances both off ruck taps and at ground level and has a strong frame to win one-on-one contests wherever she goes. As a secondary position goes, Bowering has also spent time forward.

Chloe Bown (Oakleigh Chargers / Vic Metro)
Midfielder / Forward | 174cm | 20/12/2007

The prototype modern day midfielder, Bown is tall, moves well, has a penetrating left foot and can hit the scoreboard. She can play inside, outside or as a target inside 50 which will have plenty of clubs excited by her possibilities for growth in 2025. Already capped at Under 18s level for Vic Metro, Bown has got better as the season has gone on. She will likely be more of a full-time midfielder who rests forward next year for the Chargers, but is able to impact wherever she plays.

Monique Bessen (Sturt / South Australia)
Midfielder / Forward | 174cm | 05/02/2007

Following in the footsteps of fellow 174cm midfielder/forward out of Sturt in India Rasheed, Bessen can be just as damaging, but in different ways. She has the class, skills and decision making, and though perhaps not racking up as many freakish goals as Rasheed, has an eye-catching athletic profile. Bessen moves well through traffic, is not flustered under pressure and while still developing her consistency at times, when given the chance to be a key player, is able to inflict maximum damage as a distributor.

Evie Cowcher (Peel Thunder / Western Australia)
Tall Defender | 174cm | 03/08/2007

It has been a matter of time for the 2023 WAFLW Rising Star winner, who has come through the Diversity programs representing the Medleys as well as Peel Thunder and Western Australia over the last few years. An incredible intercept marker and booming kick, Cowcher does her best work as a third tall defender who can peel off her opponent and distribute by foot outside the defensive 50. She has had limited minutes as a tall midfielder as well, but reads the play so well in flight she is hard to pass.

Olivia Crane (Subiaco / Western Australia)
Key Defender | 181cm | 08/10/2007

Unfortunately 2024 did not go to plan for Crane who suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury earlier this year in the Under 18s clash with the WAFLW All-Stars in preseason. That put a line through the talented state Under 16 skipper’s bottom-age season, but she is quality and was never going to get left off this list. An incredibly smart player who can play on all three lines, her best work is done in defence where her overhead marking and damaging left foot comes to the fore.

Georja Davies (Southport / Suns Academy / Queensland)
Key Position Utility | 183cm | 17/01/2007

The fourth Davies sister set to enter the AFLW behind Giselle, Fleur and Darcie, Georja is perhaps the most unique of the quartet. She started as a forward/ruck but has developed into a midfielder and also spent time behind the ball, which at her size makes her an incredible draft prospect. Her athletic profile is outstanding, and she has been one of the best for Queensland at the 2024 AFLW Under 18 Championships so far. Davies’ ceiling is unlimited.

Sophie Eaton (Central District / South Australia)
Wing / Forward | 170cm | 23/04/2007

A SANFLW premiership player at 16, as well as captaining her state to the AFLW Under 16 Championships title last year all while winning the Croweaters’ MVP, Eaton has quite the CV. Her skills are up there with the best to have come through the pathway, and she bites off those risky kicks as she can usually hit them. Playing primarily forward in 2024, Eaton has plied her craft on a wing for the Croweaters but can go inside as she did for the Under 16s state side last year.

Lucy Greenwood (East Perth / Western Australia)
Small Forward / Midfielder | 162cm | 23/03/2007

An incredibly gifted small forward who gained important midfield minutes both on the inside and on the wing this year for East Perth in the WAFLW, Greenwood was a shining light for the seventh placed Royals. She won her side’s best and fairest, and looked damaging each time she won the ball. Elite agility, incredible smarts and deadly skills are just some of her traits, but her best trait might be her cleanliness at ground level, with Greenwood being a one-touch player making her a rare talent.

Stella Huxtable (Geelong Falcons / Vic Country)
Midfielder / Forward | 170cm | 22/12/2007

There seems to be an abundance of left-footers in this list and Huxtable is yet another one to make the cut. Tall and strong, she is a natural inside midfielder but is so competitive in the air that she competes hard as a forward and can clunk some good grabs inside 50. A powerful kick to match her game style, Huxtable will likely lead the Falcons’ midfield alongside fellow bottom-ager Georgia Tyrrell in 2025 and will further develop areas of her game to become even more well rounded.

Sunny Lappin (Southport / Suns Academy / Queensland)
Forward / Midfielder | 169cm | 28/11/2007

It has happened in the boys’ draft before but next year Lappin will become the first top draft talent to have three clubs she is eligible to join ahead of the draft through both Academy (Gold Coast) and father-daughter (Carlton and St Kilda). The daughter of Matthew, Lappin is a smooth-moving clever footballer who is damaging around goal and finds pockets of space in the front half of the ground. Boasting a slick athletic profile too, Lappin can be a damaging kick going inside 50 as well as finishing off herself.

Eloise Mackereth (Glenelg / South Australia)
Tall Forward / Wing | 27/07/2007

If draft prospects were measured on upside, few could match that of Mackereth who has enormous potential for the future. A raw young star with great hands, fantastic recovery skills and smart forward craft, Mackereth is able to kick goals in a multitude of ways. Her kicking inside 50 is a delight and it complements her outstanding vision and execution. For South Australia in the Under 16s Championships last year she also played up on a wing, then kicked four goals in a game. Star in the marking.

Jade McLay (Calder Cannons / Vic Metro)
Tall Utility | 177cm | 01/02/2007

One of the strongest players on the list, McLay is a towering presence who can play on all three lines. Though boasting the height of a key position player, McLay is just as adept in midfield at winning clearances, with a booming kick that can breakdown opposition defensive zone. Her hands overhead are reliable and she competes just as well at ground level. Has had to balance her Cannons commitments with her school football ones, but earned a spot on Vic Metro’s list for the national championships.

Tayla McMillan (Eastern Ranges / Vic Metro)
Midfielder | 161cm | 25/05/2007

McMillan is one of the more complete midfielders in next year’s draft. While her standout traits are her clean hands and skills, the Eastern Ranges onballer is also a fierce tackler and punches well above her weight. A pure midfielder who is so well balanced between her offensive and defensive traits, McMillan works her way around a stoppage well and her release by hand both under pressure and in space by drawing an opponent is sublime. Her overall profile is as well rounded as any.

Renee Morgan (South Fremantle / Western Australia)
04/05/2007 | 168cm | 04/05/2007

Unfortunately stress fractures kept the talented Morgan out of a clean run of a bottom-age WAFLW campaign following an incredible finish to her debut 2023 season. The 17-year-old did return late for the last game of the WAFLW season this year, and will be one to watch over the next 12 months. A tough inside midfielder who can also win it on the outside, Morgan is dual-sided and classy despite being as tough as nails. Can be a first or second possession winner.

Mia Russo (West Perth / Western Australia)
Midfielder / Forward | 164cm | 06/08/2007

Last year’s AFLW Under 16s MVP, Russo has quickly staked her claim as the pick of a strong 2025 West Australian crop. Winning back-to-back Rogers Cup best and fairests and then stepping up to League level and holding her place as an impact player up forward and through the midfield, her burst speed and power around the stoppage holds her in good stead. Russo backs her combination of speed and strength to get around players and kick some ripping goals, and is a focal point through the middle.

Ella Stoddart (Gippsland Power / Vic Country)
General Utility | 173cm | 30/01/2007

The ultimate utility player, Stoddart won a Vic Country Under 16s MVP as a defender – and it is where she represented Country against Vic Metro recently – but she has spent more time up forward of late for Gippsland Power. Damaging around goals when able to get onto her trusty left boot, Stoddart can also use her strong frame at stoppages and impact games through the midfield. Good one-on-one overhead and loves to take grass and rack up the metres gained wherever possible.

Chloe Thorn (Oakleigh Chargers / Vic Metro)
Defender / Midfielder | 168cm | 07/09/2007

A player who has improved at a rate of knots over the last 18 months, Thorn has shown she can play through the middle just as well as she can in defence. A smart talent who reads the ball well and distributes by foot, she can both intercept in the air and at ground level, mopping up and driving the ball forward. Likely to be the general in defence similar to Sienna Tallariti this year, Thorn has further untapped midfield potential and did not look out of play there with her smarts and skills.

Ava Usher (Bond University / Suns Academy / Queensland)
Midfielder | 163cm | 11/08/2007

What a player. Usher’s highlights are well renowned with her all-round profile the closest thing to complete that has been seen in a draft prospect yet. She has an elite athletic base that comes from her surf lifesaving, with explosive speed, high endurance and incredible strength to fend-off would-be tacklers. She has a booming kick, great smarts and most impressively, improved on her kicking in a short space of time to go from okay to damaging. The consensus number one pick.

Alannah Welsh (Southport / Suns Academy / Queensland)
General Utility | 170cm | 23/11/2007

There are no shortage of utilities in the draft this year and Welsh is yet another one. She won an Under 16s MVP when able to play as a defender and midfielder, but has also mostly spent time up forward for the Sharks and Suns. With Queensland in 2024, Welsh has played on all three lines and has traits that adapt with her strength and power, smarts and competitive nature all seeping out into her game. Her best position might be unknown, but she is a good field kick and can plug any holes a team has.

Isla Wiencke (Belconnen / Giants Academy / NSW-ACT)
Midfielder / Forward | 174cm | 30/03/2007

The sole NSW-ACT player in the 25 at the moment, Wiencke is a strong and powerful midfielder who can go forward and compete in the air as well. Her variety of ball-winning techniques hold her in good stead as she can be a first or second possession winner, or be ready for a handball receive on the outside and thump it forward. Wiencke’s numbers speak for themselves and she continually one-upped older players and took control at the coalface to be deserving of a spot on the list.

Olivia Wolmarans (Subiaco / Western Australia)
Key Forward / Ruck | 181cm | 02/09/2007

When dominating at the 2022 Under 16s Championships between West Australian players a couple of years ago, Wolmarans showed traits similar to Amy Franklin. It is an apt comparison due to Wolmarans athleticism despite her height, and a booming kick. She has been a handful in the WAFLW for Subiaco, kicking six goals in her first game this season, though has also been rotated through the ruck. Has the speed to get involved in transition and sets up her teammates as well as finishing off herself.

A FEW OTHERS TO REMEMBER….

Allies

Swans Academy ruck Madeleine Quinn was very close to making it, with her athletic base and general ball use impressive for a tall. She is rounding out some fundamentals of her game, but her upside is enormous and certainly deserving of a spot in the conversation.

Northern Territory’s Marika Carlton is just a raw talent but with further development has the skills and explosive speed to make it a good go of it.

From the Apple Isle, Harriet Bingley is the next pick, with her strength and versatility key, able to play on all three lines. The 172cm utility will likely be a midfielder/forward next year.

Queensland

The Maroons yet again have a few players just outside the list with Annabelle Foat and Bronte Parker a couple of midfielders from Bond University who have started the national carnival strongly. They know how to find the ball and did not look out of place, likely to hold down midfield roles next season allowing others the versatility to move around into different spots.

Others such as Aleah Stringer and Monique Corrigan also have good potential going forward.

South Australia

Another player right on the cusp of the group is Woodville-West Torrens’ Imogen Trengove, with the well-balanced utility having the smarts and skills to be a damaging young gun. Only new to elite level pathways, she has the chance to make a splash in teh remaining two matches.

Athletic tall key defender Charli Hazelhurst and hard-running wing/forward Lily Baxter are among great depth at the Croweaters once again.

Victoria

The depth in Victoria is always going to mean a stack of unlucky players who just miss out. Of those just ouside the list, Eastern ruck Josephine Bamford is one who has gone from strength to strength this year. She looms as an early pick for top Victorian ruck, while up forward, Gippsland Power’s Abby Hobson is an incredible contested marking talent.

Up at the Bushrangers, Molly McLaren has missed a fair bit of football in 2024 but has always shown potential with her smarts and natural leadership, while Rain Dodd is starting to make waves. Likewise, Maggie Johnstone at the Rebels is also catching the eye.

Dandenong could almost have its own discussion with dangerous forward who can also play back in Evelyn Connolly, twins Mizuki and Nalu Brothwell, and inside midfielders Nikita Harris and Lillian Snow all playing key roles in 2024 already.

Over at the Knights, aerial specialist Scarlett Johnson has some serious potential and has been playing off a wing, while Vic Metro members Marlo Graham and Isobella Hishongwa-Gibb are among those on recruiters lists. Western Jets tall Alex McBride-Loane is one to keep in mind too.

Western Australia

Juliet Kelly and Carys D’Addario could very well have been added to the list. Western Australia on paper has an incredible bottom-age cohort. Kelly is a smooth-moving defender-midfielder with an elite endurance base, while D’Addario is a strong inside midfielder who can go forward and impact htere as well.

A couple of high-upside players are key forward Alicia Blizard and small forward Sienna Gerardi, both of whom can do some special things inside 50. Add in South Fremantle’s Alira Fotu and gee the state will give the national title a real shake next year.

25 IN 2025 JULY EDITION BREAKDOWN

By State:

Victoria = 8
Western Australia = 6
Queensland = 5
South Australia = 3
Allies = 3

By Club: (2+)

Southport (QLD) = 4
Calder Cannons (VIC) = 2
Eastern Ranges (VIC) = 2
Oakleigh Chargers (VIC) = 2
Lauderdale/Tasmania Devils (TAS) = 2
Subiaco (WA) = 2