IN OUR off-season series, we take a look at some of the clubs across Australia who have a host of prospects for the 2026 AFLW Draft. We start the series at the very top with South Adelaide, where the Panthers loom as one who might have the most of any state league club, including two pick one contenders.

Emma Charlton
Midfielder | 160cm | 19/06/2008

If you looked up the word ‘consistent’ in the AFLW Draft dictionary, no doubt a photo of Charlton would be accompanying it. The distance between her best and worst performances is so slim they are practically touching. However in saying that, every performance she puts out is among the best, and her accolades speak for themselves. South Australian MVP as a bottom-ager, All-Australian, best on ground in South Adelaide’s premiership win, she has done it against her peers and against senior bodies. She is only small, but she packs a punch, and arguably has the least flaws of any player in next year’s draft crop. The sister of Adelaide’s Teah is more in the Crows’ hitting zone after they snatched the Suns’ first round selection for 2026.

Taya Maxwell
Key Position Utility | 184cm | 02/12/2008

Once regarded as the strongest opponent she had ever played against by retiring SANFLW legend Jess Bates, Maxwell is an absolute nightmare for opposition players to match up on. If you look purely at traits then she really should be the top pick in next year’s draft. At 184cm, elite strength and great mobility for her size, along with elite ball use on both sides of her body, there is not much she can’t do. If a shoulder injury had not curtailed her year in the first game of the national championships, she likely would have been our choice for Pick 1. A full season with continuity and it will be hard to deny because her traits don’t grow on trees, and she has leadership to-boot.

Layla Vizgaudis
Forward/Midfielder | 162cm | 22/04/2008

Rather stiff to be left out of the Under 17 Futures squad, Vizgaudis seems like a really good prospect. She’s definitely in our top 25 mix, only narrowly missing out on our 26 to Watch in 2026. Vizgaudis has that class and is a smooth mover that you love to see from a midfielder or high half-forward, and though like Charlton she is on the slighter side, she is not afraid to put her body on the line and apply defensive pressure. A good two-way player who does enough right across the board and has proven herself around the ball. One who has plenty of room to grow in her game and develop further consistency to be another Panther in the mix.

Hope Taylor
Forward/Wing | 162cm | 26/07/2008

Developed plenty since coming into the South Adelaide SANFLW squad having to bide her time before getting a chance. Once she was in, she held onto her place and became a premiership player in a similar dual-position role. Though predominantly utilised in that front half, Taylor has the all-round athletic base to catch the eye, and some slick skills and smarts. While she has time to develop more ball-winning abilities, it was clear from her inclusion in the Under 17 Futures squad that Taylor is one with a bright future. Had an impressive national championships as well which helped, booting four goals from her three games.