PRESEASON has been well underway across the country for the next crop of AFLW hopefuls, with the state leagues beginning their trial matches over the next month ahead of season starts in March. As part of that, we will run a series taking a look at some of the players to watch for the 2025 AFLW Draft outside our Top 25 in 2025.

>> Top 25 prospects in 2025

South Adelaide utility Lily Baxter has transformed from a tall forward to a wing, showing off her terrific athletic traits. A member of the AFLW National Academy, Baxter has plenty of weapons capable of taking her game to the next level.

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South Adelaide Women's, South Australia GirlsTall Forward

Lily Baxter

Height: 173cm

Weight: -

DOB: 04-01-2007

BY THE NUMBERS:

2024 AFLW U18 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS (3 games)
10.3 disposals | 2.7 marks | 2.3 tackles | 1.3 inside 50s

2024 SANFL WOMEN’S (14 games)
10.1 disposals | 2.1 marks | 2.0 tackles | 1.1 inside 50s

STRENGTHS

+ Kicking
+ Kick penetration
+ Reading the play
+ Positioning
+ Endurance
+ Upside

Lily Baxter is a unique prospect in the 2025 AFLW Draft as she has developed from a tall forward to a wing thanks to a high-level running capacity that allows her to cover the ground well. Her athletic traits do stand out with Baxter possessing a nice endurance-speed mix that helped her transition seamlessly from the forward 50 to the wing.

As she has shown over the last couple of seasons, the South Adelaide prospect holds her positioning well even if she does not always get on the end of possession chains. Her kicking is effective both in decision making and length, and she has those athletic traits that allow her to burst away and then kick long to dangerous positions inside 50.

Furthermore, the upside in her game is evident, with the South Australian standing at 173cm and capable of filling a role on all three lines if required given her natural traits. She still has plenty to learn and develop, but given the raw foundational base, it is evident that the top-ager can take her game to another level.

What everyone has seen with Baxter’s game over the last 24 months is her ability to impact in big moments – such as her match-winning SANFLW goal in 2023 – without losing her composure. That inherent ability to deliver when called upon to do so is an underrated skill for any young player.

QUESTION MARK(S)

The evident question mark for Baxter comes around her consistency and production on a week-to-week basis. Like many wings of the past, she can have quiet games purely based off the way the match goes. If it is a contested slog then her impact is nullified, though if the ball gets to the outside, she can have a significant influence on the match. Adding an ability to influence when the game is not on her terms is a good first step.

One key improvement she highlighted herself is in relation to that with her groundballs closer to the contest. When forced in, she can be cleaner and more consistent when under pressure, which is an element that many developing talents have to find a way to improve. It is once she has the ball in her hands she does so well, but winning the ball cleanly and then impacting for longer are the main question marks.

PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS

THEY SAID

Lily Baxter on why she moved from being a forward to the wing

“I’m not even 100 per cent sure. I got told. It was my first season Round 10 quarter four, we had a couple of injuries in the mid, so Holly Ifould was the winger at the time, she moved into the mid for the quarter so they put me on. “I think it was just my running ability, so they stuck me there and I kind of fell in love with it, so they kept me there.”

OUR SCOUTS SAID

2024 AFLW U18 CHAMPIONSHIPS: VS ALLIES

Stats: 14 disposals, 4 marks, 2 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

“Played her role on the outside and found her fair share of the ball. With time and space Baxter hits target consistently, and though she did make mistakes by foot at times, her ability to cover ground and help out defensively shone. She roamed up from half-back when playing a defensive wing role, then could get forward to assist with the extra number.”

2024 SANFLW GRAND FINAL: VS NORWOOD

Stats: 3 disposals, 4 tackles

“Baxter’s stats might not jump off the page but her job was largely looking to quell the impact of Lee when between the arcs and stop her getting loose inside the respective 50s. She did quite well on that front even though Lee did have some good moments, and while Baxter only had the three touches, she worked hard up and down the ground and was consistent defensively.”

2024 SANFLW SEMI-FINAL: VS GLENELG

Stats: 10 disposals, 5 tackles, 3 clearances, 1 inside 50

“It was a mixed bag for Baxter who had a couple of ‘almost’ moments that included just dropping a mark she would normally taker midway through the second term and going a little too high on an opponent five minutes prior. However her strong tackle on Jess Bates won her the ball in the early stages of the match, and she intercepted well in the same quarter, taking the game on and flicking off quick handballs to keep it moving in transition. Got in and around stoppages too and cleared the ball to space on a number of occasions.”

WHERE SHE SITS

Lily Baxter is among a strong crop of high-upside, talented talls who can play a couple of positions well. While her consistency and influence for extended periods of time and game-to-game could improve, that is usually the last step in the junior career. Her natural ability, and combination of athletic traits and football skills enable her to have big moments within games.

Given her natural development, and the success of South Adelaide’s youth transitioning from juniors through to the AFL Women’s over the last few years, it is anticipated Baxter will further grow in 2025. A member of the National Academy, Baxter has got the opportunities to further showcase what she has to offer with and against the best of the best, so it will be fascinating to see her development across the course of the season.