SOUTH Adelaide tall Lily Baxter developed into a fully-fledged winger last year after catching the eye as a tall forward in her double bottom-age season and looms as one of the top prospects in this year’s AFLW Draft. Baxter is one of four National Academy members in the South Australian Under 18 Girls squad and has plenty of upside as well.

LILY BAXTER PROFILE

DOB: 04/01/2007
Height: 173cm
Position: Wing/Forward
Club: South Adelaide

SUMMARY

An athletic tall who has already gained plenty of SANFL Women’s experience entering her top-age year, Baxter possesses further growth to go with her already well-established foundational base. Her ability to cover the ground and work hard both ways is an area that came along in leaps and bounds last year with the Under 16s dominant attacker further strengthening her defensive traits in 2024.

Coming into 2025, Baxter cemented her spot in the South Adelaide side as a wing, and was able to gain further experience there for the Croweaters, which is an area that has been identified as one that exemplifies her strengths. Having averaged 10.3 disposals, 2.7 marks and 2.3 tackles for South Australia and similar numbers for the Panthers, Baxter would pop up for devastating bursts that hurt opposition sides.

While not a massive accumulator in the role, her speed and endurance a valuable mix for the top-ager. She also uses the ball very well and her positioning outside the contest to find space and keep the ball moving in transition is important. With ball in hand, she can kick through opposition defensive zones with a great penetration on the kick, and generally making strong decisions.

In 2025, her upside is evident through her traits all culminating in a really damaging game, just more consistently. She can hurt the opposition both through her run and her ball use, so getting the ball in the hands of the South Adelaide wing will only further help any side she is on. A point of difference with her role and traits in this year’s draft.