A NEW AFL Women’s season is here, and as always, fans are most excited to see fresh faces filling up the teamsheets to see which new players can make their impact on the big stage. With no shortage of debutants coming into the side, particularly from last year’s AFLW Draft, we take a look at who has made it in.

Friday, August 30 @ North Sydney Oval, 7:15pm AEST

The Swans won the corresponding fixture last year, and will welcome in Calder Cannons’ Sarah Grunden to the fold after the first round pick impressed over the preseason. She will join ex-Lion Kiara Hillier as a league debutant and new face in the red and white.

For the Magpies, they have unveiled Irish recruit Muireann Atkinson alongside Oakleigh Chargers athletic premiership defender Lucy Cronin who was an AFLW Draft bolter last season, and has had huge wraps coming out of the Magpies since coming to the club.

Friday August 30 @ Mineral Resources Park, 7:15pm AWST

West Coast fans will be excited to see four league debutants in the game, with pick two from last year’s draft, Jessica Rentsch set to provide some explosive speed around the ground. She is joined by ruck/forward Georgie Cleaver and Oakleigh Chargers’ Sanne Bakker who was picked up over the off-season. One of two most recent additions – ruck Tess Lyons has also been thrown into the side for a Round 1 debut.

Though not debuting anyone from last year’s draft, Tigers fans will be excited to finally see Charley Ryan in action after missing all of last season due to injury. Ryan was a highly touted talent out of the Dandenong Stingrays who can impact through midfield or up forward.

Saturday, August 31 @ Manuka Oval, 1:05pm AEST

Two of last year’s top three picks will face off in the battle between two lowly ranked sides from last year. For the Giants, West Australian Kaitlyn Srhoj will make her debut, while number one selection Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner will live out her dream as a lifelong Western Bulldogs supporter. Eilish O’Dowd will also run out on debut for the orange team.

Weston-Turner is among four first-year players to represent the red, white and blue with all of the Bulldogs’ first round selections in Brooke Barwick, Elaine Grigg and Cleo Buttifant earning their chances at the elite level.

Saturday, August 31 @ Windy Hill, 3:05pm AEST

Vic Metro representatives Amy Gaylor and Emily Gough will don the red sash in Round 1, coming out of the Calder Cannons and Sandringham Dragons programs. Gaylor is a defensive machine with a powerful burst, while Gough is 181cm athlete who can play on all three lines.

For the Dockers, Tasmanian utility Tunisha Kikoak will make her league debut, coming to the club over the off-season.

Saturday, August 31 @ People First Stadium, 5:05pm AEST

The success of the Gold Coast Suns Academy rolls on with athletic talents Kiara Bischa and Annabel Kievit into the side for Round 1. Both provide nice height and a competitive work rate, with Kievit hailing from the Northern Territory.

For St Kilda, father-daughter selection Charlotte Simpson makes her debut, picked up by the club following an outstanding 2023 VFLW season for Geelong.

Saturday, August 31 @ GMHBA Stadium, 7:15pm AEST

Geelong has stuck with what it has known for now, debuting just the one player with Irish mature-ager Kate Kenny making her way into the side for the rematch of last year’s semi-final.

Melbourne has had a fair bit of change and will have two league debutants in Ryleigh Wotherspoon and Grace Beasley for the Round 1 match.

Saturday, August 31 @ Alberton Oval, 7:15pm ACST

Former South Australian teammates will go head-to-head in the opening round Showdown with pre-listed duo Shineah Goody and Molly Brooksby, as well as the Power’s first round pick Piper Window have made the final side.

The trio will take on their midfield counterpart Brooke Boileau who was a part of the Croweaters’ engine room alongside those three last season.

Sunday, September 1 @ Kinetic Stadium, 1:05pm AEST

Down in Frankston three new league debutants will don the brown and gold. Pre-listed former Eastern Ranges Laura Stone and Jess Vukic will get their chance, while ex-Dandenong Stingrays and Vic Country skipper Mikayla Williamson earned a place after an impressive preseason performance.

Carlton has added some X-Factor inside 50 with the inclusion of former Bendigo Pioneers and Vic Country goalsneak Lila Keck, as well as one of last year’s hard luck stories in Lulu Beatty who was picked up just prior to the season but then injured and missed the entire year.

Sunday, September 1 @ Brighton Homes Arena, 3:05pm

North Melbourne is the only club across the weekend that does not have a league debutant, however Brisbane will add a couple of Academy graduates to its senior side. Maroochydore’s Sophie Peters and Aspley’s Rania Crozier will get their chance on the big stage, running out in front of home fans.