AFTER holding the number one pick last season and being able to dictate to the rest of the league, Collingwood moved up a few spots in 2025 and will now go in with Pick 5 – after GWS’ Special Assistance Package pick – while also accumulating four top 30 selections.

>> FREE: View the 2025 AFLW Draft Guide

2025 RECORD: 15th (H&A) | 3-9 | 62.2% | Eliminated: Regular Season
2025 PICKS: 5, 15, 26, 29, 41, 47, 59, 77
FUTURE PICKS: ’26 R1 (Collingwood), ’26 R4 (Collingwood)

LIST CHANGES:

IN
Olivia Lewis (other sport rookie), Maisie Nankivell (other sport rookie), Charlotte Brewer (delisted free agent, Carlton), Ellie Brady (other sport rookie), Ariana Hetherington (trade, North Melbourne)

OUT
Muireann Atkinson (delisted), Mikayla Hyde (delisted), Selena Karlson (delisted), Nell Morris-Dalton (delisted), Charlotte Taylor (delisted), Grace Campbell (delisted), Georgia Clark (delisted), Annie Lee (delisted), Alana Porter (delisted) Mikala Cann (trade, Western Bulldogs), Lily-Rose Williamson (trade, Brisbane)

Collingwood coach Sam Wright earmarked that the club would need to be aggressive over the off-season and they certainly did that with a whopping nine players delisted – almost a third of the list – and another two traded out. Mikala Cann was the most notable Pie to depart after 76 games in the black and white from debut, while North Melbourne tall Ariana Hetherington and former VFLW player Charlotte Brewer (Carlton) were brought in to add some depth in areas the Pies needed.

FIRST PICK:
Pick 5

Collingwood held onto its top 10 selection in this year’s AFLW Draft, and while it is almost certainly set to end up being later on in the top 10 due to bids, the Magpies will have an eye on a few different scenarios. Eastern Ranges skipper Tayla McMillan seems a perfect fit for the black and white, adding that balance of skill through the middle – which the Pies have lacked over the last couple of seasons – without compromising any of the famed hardness and defensive pressure.

She would be an easy choice if available at the pick, with her and fellow Vic Metro ball-winner Chloe Baker-West two who are touted around the mark. The Pies have been focusing on adding some class to a strong defensively-minded squad, so a bid on Sunny Lappin at the same time makes sense. If not already bid on, all of the top Suns would be needs for the Pies, with Georja Davies and Dekota Baron, and Swans tall Alex Neyland right in the hitting zone. Expect them all to be quickly matched, though.

REMAINING CROP:
Picks 15, 26, 29, 41, 47, 59

If Pies are looking for class early, then imagine pairing up McMillan with close friend and Eastern Ranges vice-captain Jordyn Allen at Pick 15. Yes, it would probably cause a fair bit of confusion with her namesake at the Pies, but she fits a need and adds that explosive speed and skill which clubs love, and Collingwood has been targeting of late. Given the ruck situation at the Pies, do not be surprised if Josephine Bamford is heavily looked at as well as part of another Ranges connection.

GWV Rebels midfielder/forward Maggie Johnstone is one with X-factor in the range, as is the speedy and highly defensive forward/midfielder Mischa Barwin. Given the Swans can only match two players within the first 28 selections, Collingwood could follow on what they do with the men’s program and bid for an Academy player or two. Madeleine Quinn and Kiera Yerbury both fit needs and the Swans situation means they can only match one if it happened.

Given the seven list spots on offer at the Pies, Collingwood can be quite flexible with what they do, and bringing in a tall like Olivia Crane or Mizuki Brothwell to sure up the back half could be a good call. Imagine if the Pies look to go from doubling up on Eastern Ranges, to picking up twins in the form of Brothwell and her sister Nalu Brothwell.

There is usually a South Australian in the mix as well, with Sophie Eaton, Imogen Trengove and Lucy Waye all athletic types who follow on from a similar vein of Violet Patterson from last season. Later in the draft, the Magpies might elevate VFLW Rising Star Tahlia Sanger or add childhood Magpie fan Ella Jeffrey as a couple of possibilities.

They are also highly likely to pass their final selection to allow for a preseason draft selection given they might want an additional readymade option come Autumn.

KEY QUESTIONS:

– Will the Magpies continue honing in on class and speed?
– Do Collingwood pair up players such as teammates or sisters?
– Will the black and whites look to continue their men’s tradition and bid on Northern Academy players?