ENTERING the 2026 AFL Women’s Draft, few players have a better CV than South Australian Emily Mableson who is right in the mix for the top few selections. The West Adelaide prospect won MVPs at both Under 16s and Under 18s level for her state, captained the 16s side to the title, and was part of the 18s championship-winning team with All-Australian honours in both carnivals.

But for Mableson, individual awards are not the reason she plays football, focusing on the team aspects and particularly the success of her state.

“I think it (2026) was good,” Mableson said. “Obviously had some success with the National Championships with SA which was really nice. “Fell short last year so it was really good to get the win with all the girls, especially being our last season together. But it was really good fun, I enjoyed it.”

As for her own MVP and All-Australian accolades, Mableson said it was “really good” for recognition and supporting the hard work she had put into the year, but conceded she “wouldn’t have been able to get there” without her support crew of teammates, coaches and family.

For a player who was touted as a top talent from a long way out, Mableson’s goals for 2026 surrounded bringing the fun to her football and trying not to take everything too seriously in what was such a paramount year.

“I know it’s quite simple but I find when I’m having fun I’m playing some good footy,” Mableson said. “That was my goal for this year and I was able to do it really well.”

Having played both as a midfielder and half-back in the past, Mableson found herself even split between the roles, playing as the former for the Bloods, and latter for the Croweaters. Both had similar characteristics and she was able to adapt accordingly.

“Midfield is a little bit more running, whereas half-back is a little bit more defensive minded,” she said. “But I thought the transition was good, and was able to go between the two positions quite comfortably.”

Mableson is the consummate professional, described by some of her coaches as that player who never sits still and is constantly searching for feedback, be it post-game or even training sessions. One of the most coachable players around, the South Australian said she was always looking to improve even on areas that were considered her strengths.

“Just continuing to build on the base I’ve already got (for an improvement focus) whether that’s just continuing to improve on my skills or getting a little bit stronger, or a little bit quicker to best prepare me for an AFLW environment.”

Studying a Bachelor of Health Science and Master of Physio at Flinders Unversity, Mableson said the course was “flexible” so should one of the 16 clubs outside the pair of South Australian teams call put her name, she would not be disrupted from chasing that goal.

“I understand relocating or moving interstate is part of the process and the journey and something that I come prepared for and excited for if the opportunity does come up,” Mableson said.

No doubt the valuable utility is on the lists of a host of clubs, with St Kilda, Collingwood, Essendon and GWS the most likely suitors, while both South Australian sides are in the hitting zone depending on how the picks fall, and of course post trade week. The West Adelaide talent enjoyed talking to a variety of clubs, describing the Draft Combine experience as “really good fun”.

“Each club has a different approach to each interview or meeting so it’s been really good to see what each club is doing and then it’s been really good to get to know girls that I usually play against with state stuff, and then also get to see for the National Academy as it’s been a while,” Mableson said. “But just trying to really enjoy the experience because not many people get to experience it.”

As for her first port of call heading into the preseason, Mableson wanted to make sure she continued to tick every box and complete whatever was required of her entering a new environment.

“I just want to get to know all the girls and just fit in I guess. Just want to show what I’ve got whether that’s through preseason time-trial that each club does and putting my foot forward, just super excited to see what an AFLW environment is like,” she said.

DRAFT FEATURES:

Queensland: Zoe Petrides
Vic Country: Greea McKeegan
Vic Metro: Bailee Martin
Western Australia: Lexi Strachan