HAVING watched all the other states kick off in their respective leagues, the last remaining state league will begin this weekend with Round 1 of the QAFL Women’s competition taking place. Ahead of the state league preview tomorrow, we take a look at some of the top AFLW Draft talents to keep an eye on this year.

Sienna McMullen (Suns Academy)
15/07/2005 | 164cm | Balanced Midfielder

The AFLW Academy member is highly touted in the Sunshine State, and after playing all three games for Queensland as a bottom-ager in last year’s AFLW Under 18 Championships, McMullen stepped up at the Under 17s Futures match. Playing with and against the best of the best, McMullen rose to the occasion off a wing, winning a truckload of the ball and being a consistent danger for the opposition driving it quickly in transitioned. Tipped to be a midfielder who can play both inside and out, McMullen is the top prospect at this stage.

Darcie Davies (Suns Academy)
14/06/2005 | 184cm | Ruck/Key Forward

Following in the footsteps of sister Fleur last year and oldest sister Giselle in 2021, Davies is the clear standout tall in Queensland. In the absence of Matilda Scholz at the AFLW Under 18 Championships, it leaves Davies as potentially the tallest player there, and she will use that to her advantage as a ruck and key forward. She has the athleticism and ability to impact in both roles, and is incredibly difficult to matchup on given her reach. Davies is the other player competing with McMullen to be first picked from Queensland.

Sophie Peters (Lions Academy)
12/03/2005 | 164cm | Wing

Playing as that outside midfielder off a wing last season, Peters showed her high running capacity and ability to impact the contest. She played the two matches for Queensland, averaging around 10 disposals and two inside 50s per game, but will take an even greater role in her top-age year. Peters is another member of the AFLW Academy with McMullen and Davies, and is the top ranked player from Brisbane’s Academy at this stage. She might move more on-ball in 2023, but has done a lot of damage out on a wing.

Rania Crozier (Lions Academy)
18/11/2005 | 178cm | Key Forward

Crozier has less exposure to the top level than the other trio, with the key position tall having to undergo knee surgery in 2021 after tearing her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) near the start of the season. It meant her bottom-age year had interruptions. It was not enough to stop her getting into the AFLW Academy, with the sister of former Lions Academy graduate Saxon playing a full QAFL Women’s season in 2022, booting nine goals in 13 games and was named among the best five times.

Josie McCabe (Suns Academy)
18/04/2005 | 173cm | Forward/Midfielder

The sole player on this list not in the AFLW Academy, McCabe is one to watch having shown signs in the past. An injury meant she barely got a chance to show her wares at the AFLW Under 18 Championships, going down early in the first game against Vic Metro. She would go on to play 10 games for Bond University in the QAFL Women’s though, and piece together a solid season. Still developing that consistency, McCabe is able to impact with a stronger frame and nice footy smarts, and has potential to take her game to the next level.