ATHLETICISM, footy IQ or versatility were the key features of the 2026 AFLW Preseason Draft last night with 11 players earning their chance to test themselves at the elite level. Of the 11 players taken, just four remain in the state they are currently playing in, bucking the trend that was expected of AFLW clubs taking locals.

We take a look at each of the club’s who took a pick and what to expect from the players they drafted.

>> EVERY PICK: 2026 AFLW Preseason Draft

GOLD COAST:

With the first selection, the Suns did not surprise too many by reading out Lily Quigley‘s name to open the night. After having a disappointing top-age campaign that saw the Ainslie product miss Allies representation, the small forward moved to Queensland where she represented the Lions Academy as a wing/forward. In the first few games of the Talent League Girls season, she looked a completely different player, with a more damaging kick to compliment her elite speed-endurance mix. Recorded the fastest agility test on record at the Queensland Preseason Testing event with a ridiculous 8.146 seconds, as well as smashing the yo-yo test and finishing third in the 20m sprint.

GWS GIANTS:

Though the Giants missed out on previous Academy member Quigley, they did look local for their second selection of the night in Sophia Gaukrodger. The talented UTS Bats now North Shore Bombers junior prospect was unlucky not to make Allies last season, and had a huge year in the AFL Sydney competition where she clearly had draftable traits. Over the summer, Gaukrodger moved to the Bombers and would have played with the club after her Giants Academy commitments came to a close. The softly spoken midfielder/forward let her words do the talking on-field with a huge Under 22 Summer Series, followed by a promising start to the Talent League. Has improved her kicking significantly over the off-season.

With pick two, the Giants also opted for versatility but with additional height in the form of 185cm utility, Maisy Evans. The ruck/forward moved into the middle this season for Bond University to start the QAFL Women’s season, and only turning 20 this year puts her right in the age bracket of some of the selections made on the night. She has starred in 2026, averaging around 26 disposals and 28 hitouts, becoming a ‘fourth midfielder’ with her ball-winning ability. Given her athletic prowess and pressure game, Evans looms as a high-upside forward.

ESSENDON & ST KILDA:

The two clubs who opted for Irish players managed to pick up their targets with selections three and seven respectively. While not able to judge their on-field Australian rules football pedigree, Emma Dineen is a 26-year-old All-Ireland Senior Champion and is known for her explosiveness and aerial presence, while being able to use both sides of her body.

The Saints went with Saoirse Lally who also posts some high-level athleticism as well as natural sparts that can translate from a Gaelic field to an Aussie rules football oval. She is a natural leader who the Saints believe can “develop into a high impact AFLW player”, and at 23 years-old is still relatively young which is an exciting prospect for the red, white and black.

WESTERN BULLDOGS:

Without the Swans having a selection in the Preseason Draft, no doubt Sydney will be ruing not selecting ultra-athletic ruck Amaia Wain last year. A raw prospect with plenty of upside, the Swans-tied talent had a breakout campaign for UNSW-ES Bulldogs last season, and had relocated closer to Sydney for the upcoming year for her shot at AFLW level. From the first game of the Under 22 Summer Series it was clear Wain was going to be a prospect for the Preseason Draft, and she has the opportunity to learn under one of the best in the business in Alice Edmonds. Elite vertical jump, great speed and endurance for a tall, she is one for the future.

FREMANTLE:

Fremantle stayed local as expected but pulled out somewhat of a surprise in the form of East Fremantle midfielder/forward Noa McNaughton. The former South Fremantle talent who missed out on the past two drafts moved to the Sharks last season and showed some nice development, but in the wake of departures from the blue and white, got even more of an opportunity around the ball and became her side’s prime ball-winner. She hits the scoreboard, applies pressure and has fantastic evasion, with Dockers coach Lisa Webb at McNaughton’s most recent WAFLW game on Friday night where her future Fremantle player starred.

WEST COAST:

Following on from the Dockers, West Coast went the one expected, one surprise route as the other team – along with the Giants – who picked up two players in last night’s draft. The pickup of the exciting Sienna Gerardi is a great one, with the Swan Districts small forward – who can also play off a wing – having explosive speed and natural footy skills and smarts. She was hesitated on last season as she tossed up between football and a College career, and now leaning into the former, it was a no brainer. Does not need to win a lot of it to provide some serious highlights.

With the second selection, the Eagles pulled a surprise in the form of Sturt winger Lily Smart who also played on the weekend. Many expected West Coast to stay local, but instead went with the hard-running Double Blue who has some elite athletic traits, particularly from a speed-endurance standpoint. Smart is a former international long-jumper at junior level, and all-round athlete. She has improved her kicking over the off-season, and caught the eye in her most recent match, a draw against West Adelaide on Saturday.

HAWTHORN:

Of all the selections in this year’s AFLW Draft, Mikaylah Antony is the one who draws the quip, ‘how did she not go last year?’. The simple answer is injuries impacted her performance, with a delayed preseason and limited exposure compared to her bottom-age year meant she was not able to perform at the level she is capable of, or showed in the past. On natural ability, the Central District utility is a ripper. She boasts elite footskills and a nice change of direction, and a natural ability to take the game on. Has played across all three lines, but starred for the SANFLW through the midfield to win best on ground in the win over the VFLW.

MELBOURNE:

Skills, versatility and a speed-endurance mix sum up Melbourne’s selection in the experienced Lauren Clifton. The SANFLW premiership player has always been on the periphery of being drafted, but at 22 years of age, gets her chance. A move into the middle in the absence of others last season after spending the bulk of her time off a wing or at either end of the field, help build her contested ball-winning ability. Expect her to still play on the outside be it a wing or a flank given her elite kick and decision making ability. Really upped her numbers as well last season and could have gone in the National Draft, but instead gets her chance in the preseason.