ANOTHER season of the AFL Women’s competition is in the books, and with just four days between the grand final and the start of the Trade Period, we will quickly recap how each of the sides performed throughout the season. In the first of three articles, we review the bottom six sides, what went right, what went wrong and where they can go from here.

COLLINGWOOD

Finished: 18th
Won: 1
Lost: 10

Collingwood had a horror season, losing 10 of its 11 games in the first year under new coach Sam Wright. The ex-Roo implemented a new gameplan that gave fans a glimpse into the future and the way the club wanted to play, but ultimately the lack of talent out on the park due to injuries and the shift in gamestyle meant piecing together four quarters was rarely ever easy.

The saving grace – or really the only celebratory moment – was a win over the Gold Coast Suns, though given the Sunshine State side finished just one spot above the Magpies meant that it was not a huge scalp. A massive positive was the form of defender Lucy Cronin, earning selection in the 22 Under 22 side and being among the best Magpies each week in her first season.

Cronin along with fellow first-year draftees Amber Schutte and Georgia Clark also made their debuts, marking the start of what will hopefully be long careers for the trio. The Magpies will add some serious star power to its list at the AFLW Draft, holding pick one which barring a surprise trade, would likely be that of the ultra-skilled Ash Centra.

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GOLD COAST

Finished: 17th
Won: 1
Drew: 1
Lost: 9

Having shown promising signs over the past two seasons, Gold Coast would have reasonably eyed off finals – and arguably winning a final – as the next step after reaching the post-season series for the first time outside of the Conference system in 2023. However that was not to be, as the Suns struggled for consistency and only managed to beat the Swans and draw with the Giants.

Along with those results came a spate of honourable losses, and had they turned the tables on Carlton (one point) and Collingwood (three points) in the first five weeks, they could have been 2-1-2 to start the year. That is all well and good in hindsight, but ultimately the ladder read 17th at the end of season. Star midfielder Charlie Rowbottom was dominant again, averaging 27.8 disposals and earning an All-Australian blazer.

Rowbottom has been rumoured to have links to Sydney which makes it a fascinating trade period, though the Suns cannot lose out of the draft with pick one contender Havana Harris able to be matched with pick 20 providing the Magpies do not bid on her. They have up to five Academy athletes they can match bids on, which means plenty of local talent likely to walk through the door.

GWS

Finished: 16th
Won: 1
Drew: 1
Lost: 9

It was another frustrating year for GWS fans as the Giants suffered through more pain of a one-win season and bottom four finish. The Giants fans had plenty of hope early in the year, smashing the Western Bulldogs by 63 points in Week 1, before a competitive effort against finals contenders Richmond, and draw with Gold Coast had a “one” in each of the win, loss and drawn columns.

Unfortunately for the Giants, the orange team would lose eight consecutive matches to end the year, with four back-to-back losses by five goals plus between Week 7 and Week 9. A one-point loss against eventual preliminary finalists Port Adelaide again gave the team some hope heading into the new year, but something needs to change in order to steer the Giants’ fortune in another direction.

The same old faces were doing all they could through the year with Alyce Parker and Rebecca Beeson standing strong, while first-year talent and 2023 AFLW Draft Top 10 selection Kaitlyn Srhoj also acclimatised to the side in a new state well. Zarlie Goldsworthy adds that punch up forward, but the Giants again had issues scoring at times, and just three players kicked more than five goals for the year. Fortunately they will have a top three pick at the draft to address a need.

SYDNEY

Finished: 15th
Won: 3
Lost: 8

After an incredible fairytale run to the finals in 2023, Scott Gowans’ side crashed back to reality in 2024 largely off the back of a season-defining injury to Chloe Molloy and then compounded by star ruck Ally Morphett joining her on the sidelines. That spiralled the Swans down and ultimately Sydney only beat three of the other bottom six throughout the year.

They had a yo-yo year of results with some nail-biting losses – including to Geelong and Essendon – but also some forgettable thrashings – to the grand finalists. The bright light was the 46-point win over West Coast in Week 10 to close the curtain on a season that had its frustrations, but could at least finish on a high, while second year talent Sofia Hurley joined Laura Gardiner as a key player through the middle.

Sydney has been linked to Gold Coast’s Rowbottom over the off-season as the Suns star’s brother James in the Harbour City with the men’s program. That transaction would guarantee to involve Pick 4, which is a big watch for the Swans, whether they trade in a readymade player or bring in a top-end talent who can add some spark to the side. It is not all doom and gloom with those injured stars to hopefully have a big preseason and return for Round 1 next year.

CARLTON

Finished: 14th
Won: 4
Lost: 7

Carlton had an early wakeup call in Round 1 with a heavy defeat at the hands of Hawthorn, but quickly strung together two wins. The rollercoaster ride of being a Baggers fan in 2024 would not take long to get going, holding reigning preliminary finalists Geelong goalles in Week 3, only to not slot a major themselves a week later in a 33-point defeat to Richmond.

The Blues did pick up a couple of four-point victories over Fremantle in the west and arch rivals and wooden spooners Collingwood, but ultimately the year left a sour taste for fans, with promising signs from the season before. The on-ball group continued to develop with the trio of Keeley Sherar, Mimi Hill and Abbie McKay forming a combination for the next decade, while Maddy Guerin‘s return from injury was sensational, kicking the winning goal against Gold Coast and being a prominent, consistent player all year.

Carlton will be able to pick up another star in the making in McKay’s sister Sophie at the AFLW Draft, with the top 10 talent likely to receive a bid after the Blues’ first selection meaning they will pick up two top 10 picks for the value of one. Well positioned to head into next year with just another forward option or two required, the Blues have the foundations to go on with it.

WEST COAST

Finished: 13th
Won: 4
Lost: 7

Unlike a lot of other clubs on this list, West Coast fans did not perhaps have the expectations of some, and realistically showed great development throughout the course of the year. The fans did not have to wait long wondering if they had improved, winning by a point over Richmond in Round 1, and started the year on fire with three victories in their first four matches.

By Week 5, West Coast had a win-loss record of 4-2, but that proved to be a mirage, with the Eagles fading and dropping the last five games of the year. Granted the opposition got stronger, with three consecutive finalists, but new coach Daisy Pearce was just reminded of the gap her side will need to make up to become a finalist in 2025.

Still, the season can be viewed as a step in the right direction, and with Ella Roberts going from potential star to full-blown superstar, the blue and gold fans will be pleased with what they witnessed. The young core of Charlotte Thomas, Jaide Britton and Abbygail Bushby all stepped up, and will gain another top player at this year’s draft to add to that.