ON MONDAY the second edition of the 2023 AFLW Draft Power Rankings were released, with the list extended out to 25 players from across the nation.

In the women’s draft, as it currently stands, players nominate a state or as was the case with Supplementary Draft, nationally. That means that a player who is ranked outside the Top 25 may still be in the top few of their state.

In this follow-up piece we take a look at some of the state-by-state rankings. Keeping in mind it is pure opinion, but instead designed to highlight some more names within states.

>> AFLW DRAFT POWER RANKINGS: JULY 2023

VICTORIA RANKINGS

#1 Alyssia Pisano (Eastern Ranges | #3 National)
#2 Laura Stone (Eastern Ranges | #5)
#3 Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner (Western Jets | #12)
#4 Sarah Grunden (Calder Cannons | #17)
#5 Mikayla Williamson (Dandenong Stingrays | #18)
#6 Lila Keck (Bendigo Pioneer | #20)
#7 Jessica Rentsch (GWV Rebels | #21)
#8 Bryde O’Rourke (Bendigo Pioneers | #22)
#9 Chloe Adams (Geelong Falcons | #23)
#10 Jemma Rigoni (Oakleigh Chargers | #24)

In Victoria, there were more than 10 names listed in the Power Rankings, with 11 in the top 25. We have a couple of Eastern Ranges leading the way in small forward Alyssia Pisano and midfielder Laura Stone who have been the standout prospects. Fellow AFLW Academy member and the first tall in the Victorian pool. Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner is coming back from a broken wrist, but is the top player from a key position sense.

The next few in line are athletic talents or crafty players with Calder Cannons’ Sarah Grunden and Bendigo Pioneers’ Lila Keck both dangerous around goal. Mikayla Williamson and Jessica Rentsch both have outstanding athletic traits with upside earning them places on the list, while Bryde O’Rourke has a mix of athleticism, size and explosiveness. Chloe Adams is one of the more well-rounded athletes, while Jemma Rigoni is an explosive tall who loves to take the game on from defence.

Outside the list of 10, GWV Rebels’ Lily Jordan featured next on the Power Rankings. AFLW Academy member Amy Gaylor has also not been forgotten despite a knee injury earlier this year, while Under 23 All-Stars MVP Brooke Smith and Sandringham Dragons’ speedster Isabel Bacon are also on the cusp.

TASMANIA RANKINGS

#1 Brooke Barwick (Tasmania Devils | #6)
#2 Georgia Clark (Tasmania Devils | #9)
#3 Candice Belbin (Tasmania Devils)
#4 Mackenzie Ford (Tasmania Devils)
#5 Tunisha Kikoak (Tasmania Devils)

Tasmanians are in a unique situation without a team in their home state yet, but they Apple Isle still has two clear standout prospects in Brooke Barwick and Georgia Clark inside the overall top 10. Over-age midfielder Candice Belbin has a point of difference with her athleticism, while Mackenzie Ford is another all-round prospect. Key position utility Tunisha Kikoak is an exciting, developing talent who could be a long-term investment.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA RANKINGS

#1 Lauren Young (West Adelaide | #1)
#2 Shineah Goody (WWT Eagles | #2)
#3 Piper Window (Glenelg | #4)
#4 Molly Brooksby (Norwood | #7)
#5 Elaine Grigg (Central District | #8)
#6 Brooke Boileau (South Adelaide | #13)
#7 Caitlin Wendland (Central District)
#8 Alissa Brook (South Adelaide)
#9 Holly Ifould (South Adelaide)
#10 Melissa Anderson (South Adelaide)

South Australia has one of the deepest pathways and only has the two teams to share the talent which means a number of players might be bound interstate. Top two prospects Lauren Young and Shineah Goody seem set to don the teal at Alberton next year, with the remaining three AFLW Academy members in Piper Window, Molly Brooksby and Elaine Grigg all top 10 talents in their own right.

Outside those AFLW Academy members, South Adelaide midfielder Brooke Boileau is a clear sixth choice, coming in as a clearance expert and consistent player all year. The Panthers could be set for a very good draft if all goes to plan, with tall athletic defender Alissa Brook, winger Holly Ifould and midfielder/forward Melissa Anderson all in the mix.

From an over-age standpoint, Central District midfielder Caitlin Wendland is made for AFLW football and has improved year-on-year and would be a readymade option for clubs. Boasting a potent left foot and the ability to play forward as well, she is the pick of the mature-agers, while Sturt forward Alysha Healy and North Adelaide ruck Isabelle Starmer are also in the mix of untried players. From a past AFLW perspective, Iilish Ross is a class above state league level and will be in club considerations.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA RANKINGS

#1 Ella Slocombe (Claremont | #10)
#2 Georgie Cleaver (East Fremantle | #11)
#3 Kaitlyn Srhoj (Peel Thunder | #16)
#4 Jaime Henry (Swan Districts)
#5 Anjelique Raison (East Fremantle)
#6 Mackenzie Webb (Claremont)
#7 Ariana Hetherington (South Fremantle)
#8 Eva O’Donnell (Claremont)
#9 Liliana Grassenis (West Perth)
#10 Eva Popovsky (Subiaco)

Western Australia is a little trickier to try and predict, with the top five players effectively picking themselves, before it breaks away into a more open field. Though currently out of action with a knee injury, Ella Slocombe was picked as the top West Australian off her traits and upside alone, given she can use the ball and has outstanding athletic qualities.

AFLW Academy trio Georgie Cleaver, Kaitlyn Srhoj and Jaime Henry all come next and are very different players. Cleaver is an athletic ruck/foward and a point of difference in this year’s crop, while Srhoj is the high-upside athletic midfielder. Henry is a readymade strong midfielder who can also play in defence. East Fremantle utility Anjelique Raison has played just about every role on the field and presents as a reliable contested mark and set shot kick when inside 50.

After Raison, it is an even pool of sorts with preferences coming into play. Claremont tall defender Mackenzie Webb is one whose stocks have risen this year after being a train-on with Fremantle and should be the pick of the defenders, while fellow tall Ariana Hetherington was the most unlucky not to land on an AFLW list from a mature-age sense and deserves a chance.

State Academy members Eva O’Donnell (wing/forward), Liliana Grassenis (defence/forward) and Eva Popovsky (midfield/forward) are others on our shortlist. From a mature-age perspective, West Perth duo Jeevna Heer and Grace Betti have draftable qualities, while forwards, East Fremantle’s Chloe Reilly and Swan Districts’ Courtney Zappara are other mature-age prospects.

QUEENSLAND/NORTHERN TERRITORY RANKINGS

#1 Sienna McMullen (Suns Academy | #14)
#2 Sophie Peters (Lions Academy | #19)
#3 Charlotte Adamson (Suns Academy)
#4 Rania Crozier (Lions Academy)
#5 Josie McCabe (Suns Academy)
#6 Jacinta Baldwick (Lions Academy)
#7 Brooke Sheridan (Lions Academy)
#8 Ella Calleja (Suns Academy)
#9 Maria Rioli (Tiwi Bombers)
#10 Ebony Milne (Lions Academy)

Queensland is another pool that has an open range after the top couple, with some top-end young talent and the Gold Coast Suns having the link with the Northern Territory. For the purpose of the exercise, the sole NT prospect in the list is Richmond father-daughter Maria Rioli coming in at number nine overall. She has some exciting talent and once she can build an all-round game could be dangerous.

From the Queensland portion, Sienna McMullen is the standout number one prospect at this stage following Darcie Davies recruitment by the Suns. The talented winger has some high upside and loves to take the game on. She along with Lions Academy winger Sophie Peters are the top two at this stage, both impressive for the AFLW Academy at Marvel Stadium.

One name to keep in mind for the AFLW Draft is former soccer player Charlotte Adamson who showed plenty as that explosive midfielder who can also play forward. Though raw compared to others, she has been able to hold her own against more experienced players. Tall forward Rania Crozier is another one of the top-end talents with potential as an athletic player with good hands.

A couple of overagers in Brooke Sheridan (ACL injury through last year) and Ella Calleja are talented enough to make it and if they are able to build on their deficiencies. Midfielder/forward Jacinta Baldwick is another with talent that might draw club interest, while Lions Academy utility Ebony Milne can be deployed in any role which will help her case.

NSW/ACT RANKINGS

#1 Cleo Buttifant (GIANTS Academy | #15)
#2 Mel Staunton (GIANTS Academy)
#3 Marnie Robinson (Swans Academy)
#4 Olivia Morris (Swans Academy)
#5 Holly Cooper (Swans Academy)

There is an even split in the GIANTS and Swans Academy zones with the top two picks hailing from the orange team and the remaining three – and sixth ranked player – from the red and white side. The draft bolter is touch football speedster Cleo Buttifant who has leapfrogged quite a few players from across the nation into number 15, boasting outstanding athletic traits.

Next up is her GIANTS Academy teammate and AFLW Academy MVP winner Mel Staunton who is a powerful player both in midfield and up forward. With raw upside, she is another to watch progress in an elite program. Swans defender Marnie Robinson is a clever interceptor who works well when able to find space and take grass, while Olivia Morris is a tried and true inside midfielder with clean hands and a strong body.

Classy midfielder Holly Cooper has potential and is about getting the runs on the board, but it would not be surprising to see her take massive strides and overtake a few others. Though not as highly accoladed as the others to-date, she rarely plays a bad game and has clean hands and great release on her possessions, and should be one to keep in mind. Swans tall Kendra Blattman is a sixth name to remember from a key position perspective, able to play both ruck and forward.