The only player likely to push Young for the top spot, Goody has had a remarkable past 18 months. After bursting onto the scene in 2021 as a young gun for the Eagles, Goody took that next step in her development last season and won the AFLW Under 18 Championships MVP in a star-studded South Australian team. Though she largely plays wing for the Eagles at SANFL level, she goes inside for the Croweaters, and has played in defence and attack before, making her the ultimate small utility.

Standing at just 162cm, Goody is not tall, but she packs a punch, with her tackling pressure, incredible aerial ability and work rate standing out. She was best-on against Western Australia in the opening match of the 2023 national carnival, and averaged 16.9 disposals, 4.1 marks, 1.9 clearances, 4.0 inside 50s and 5.0 tackles per game at SANFLW level.

Why Goody?

Goody is arguably the only player in the pool without an obvious weakness given her balance of skills, smarts, and athleticism make her the most uniquely balanced player in the draft. She has elite vision and can slow down time to execute under pressure, as well as an elite tank that allows her to cover ground with ease and work her opponents into the ground.

Breaking up the South Australian dominance at the top of the Power Rankings is the silky Pisano, who had it not been for an ACL injury last year, would have had a big Under 18 Championships. Luckily the Eastern Ranges star recovered well and has been back kicking goals, always looking dangerous whenever she goes near it. With hauls of four and six goals already this season, Pisano has re-established herself as the top Victorian talent.

Boasting a deadly left foot and a penchant for making the most of her opportunities, the top-age young gun has booted a goal in each of her six games and taken her goal tally up to 19.10 for the season. Considering she has played 21 games over three seasons – and only five last year due to her ACL injury – Pisano has still managed to boot 48 goals, including 19 as a double bottom-ager. In 2023. Pisano is averaging 11.7 disposals, 2.5 marks, 2.7 inside 50s and 2.0 tackles in the Coates Talent League.

Why Pisano?

A natural match-winner, Pisano is the player who defenders cannot afford to give an inch. Even if they beat her in the marking contest, Pisano recovers so incredibly quickly, she needs a split second to get boot to ball, and more often than not it is sailing through the big sticks. In some instances – such as when she played Sandringham in Round 6 where Pisano booted three goals in the space of five minutes – and win games off her own boot.

Entering the year as a promising prospect off a pretty solid bottom-age season, Window blew up the stats sheet in the first two months of the SANFLW season, where she was close to the most damaging player going around. A candidate to win tomorrow night’s SANFLW league best and fairest, Window not only can get it done in midfield, but can go forward, clunk a contested mark and hit the scoreboard.

Captain of the South Australian team at this year’s national championships, Window has that leadership to add to her footballing ability. The one major improvement coming into the year was her kicking, and Window has made inroads into that area of her game, and while it still needs work, the rest of her overall profile is, at a minimum, well above average. The Glenelg top-ager is so tough to stop, and averaged 20.3 disposals, 3.1 marks, 6.1 clearances, 4.0 inside 50s and 7.9 tackles while booting four goals. She was not as influential in the last month of the SANFLW season, but still found a way to impact at the coalface.

Why Window?

Window has a point of difference in the South Australian pool to Young and Goody as she draws traits from both and has her own unique qualities. Sharing Young’s natural contested strength inside and down forward, and Goody’s elite tank, Window also has explosive speed and can use it to best advantage when the opposition looks to nullify her. Is very close to the top few.

The hardest player to rank in the 2023 AFLW Draft crop, Barwick is unable to take the field this season after tearing her ACL in preseason. The 159cm midfielder was ranked inside the top five coming into the year, so holds her spot for now, though will unfortunately not get the chance to raise her stocks like her peers. Luckily Barwick has done more than enough to take the next step, with her skill and smarts off the charts, as well as her high-level defensive pressure.

At the Devils in 2022, Barwick averaged 6.2 tackles per game to go with 15.6 disposals, and was more than comfortable burying herself under the pack. She is incredibly competitive and would have been a massive addition to a well-balanced Tasmanian unit, but is taking the time to work on other aspects of her game, including taking up a coaching role with the Devils.

Why Barwick?

Drawing comparisons to Hawthorn’s Charlotte Baskaran because of her equal parts skill and toughness, Barwick might not be big in stature, but has plenty going for her. She is a natural midfielder, but can play inside or out, and could adapt her traits to the role of a pressure forward which might be the go at AFLW level to begin with at least.

The second Victorian player to make the list, and it is another Eastern Ranges talent in Stone. Having cut her teeth as a rebounding defender last season, Stone gained valuable midfield minutes in the back half of 2022, and has taken her game to another level in 2023. With explosive speed to use out of the stoppage and clean skills, Stone is a well-balanced player who could be utilised in a number of positions and do them well.

Stone has been one of the most consistent players in this year’s Coates Talent League and is often the second possession winner at stoppages to burst away and clear the ball down the ground. Though not necessarily an inside midfielder, Stone has become used to being close to the action this year, and cemented herself as one of the top Victorian prospects, taking the next step in her football journey.

Why Stone?

The top Victorian midfielder, Stone makes things happen for her side and is a creative player with a penchant for taking grass. She tucks the ball under the arm and bursts away, then kicks long to put pressure on the opposition defence. Her ability to play a variety of roles also makes her valuable to an AFLW club.

After an injury-interrupted preseason due to knee and ankle issues, Brooksby built back into form in the SANFLW season largely playing off half-back and working into the midfield. Even in doing so, she still hit the scoreboard by pushing up the ground and kicking a couple of goals later in the season. In Round 12 and the semi-final of the SANFLW, the Norwood utility had back-to-back best on ground performances, averaging 24.5 disposals and 7.5 rebound 50s in big games.

Brooksby was strong in the first half against Central District as well, picking up 11 of her 14 disposals in that half, while gaining more valuable midfield minutes. An elite kick of the ball, clever and dual-sided, Brooksby can be one of the most reliable players when up and going, as she showed in last year’s Under 17s Futures match where she was one of the better players on the field playing in her preferred on-ball role.

Why Brooksby?

Dual-sided players who can kick 45 metres-plus are rare, and Brooksby offers just that. Had she not had injury interruptions this season, she could well have pushed into the Top 5 and could still do with a strong national carnival. Her ability to play anywhere on the field is another big plus.

The second Tasmanian player in the Top 10, Clark is an undersized key forward, but has the traits that make her own the role well. With velcro hands and strong leading patterns, the Devils’ vice-captain is not to be underestimated. She has even rolled into the ruck at times this season despite being just 174cm. Clark has spent time roaming up the ground and getting involved and is not just a pure inside 50 ball-winner.

Early in the season, Clark was on fire with six goals in her first three games, averaging 18 disposals in that period. Since missing a game due to injury and the community break, Clark came back and showed some promising signs, but has been quieter in two of her three games since then. Still, the Tasmanian talent provides a target and at her best is among the top players in the AFLW Draft crop. Happy to back her in as a Top 10 talent.

Why Clark?

She has a point of difference in this Top 10, with some of the safest hands going around, and a work rate to be able to get up the field. She is a reliable player when it comes to hitting the scoreboard, and when on song, can take control of a match and lead from the front as she did in the early rounds.

The evasive Central District midfielder has plenty of upside and has come a long way in 2023. Crossing from North Adelaide to the Bulldogs, Grigg will play in her second successive grand final next weekend. Boasting elite evasion and speed, as well as high-level defensive pressure, the versatile talent has added some extra strings to her bow from being a potential Top 20 prospect to a potential Top 10 talent.

Still not the finished product in terms of what she is capable or producing in the future, Grigg was able to earn more midfield time with the Dogs this year, and play a combination of inside and outside, as well as off a half-forward flank. She had some highs and lows in terms of her performances, but when she was on, she was really able to influence contests. Her defensive pressure – 7.4 tackles – is what stands out each game and while it can get her into trouble at times – she gave away 18 free kicks in a four-game stint at one stage – every club would love to have that intensity.

Why Grigg?

Another point of difference to a lot of the Top 10, Grigg has the best defensive pressure of the lot, but is not just a pure tackler. She can find the ball and break the lines, and while some fundamental areas are still able to improve, she has her two-way running to fall back on to be a valuable contributor even if the game is not going her way.

The AFLW Draft bolter this year, Slocombe is a player who has all the traits to be a very good player in the future, and has not had as much experience as others on this list. Playing a role for Claremont last season in the Tigers’ run to the flag, Slocombe missed a bulk of preseason while she was overseas and coach Jack Schwarze admitted she was close to missing out on Round 1. A strong couple of practice matches later, and she slotted in, and has been enjoying an incredible 2023 season.

Slocombe has the explosive burst and work rate that is critical in getting to repeat contests, and has shown she can play forward, as well as inside or on the wing. She moves well through traffic and has been the most consistent of the WAFLW State Academy members at the level. The key was when she represented Western Australia against the All-Stars and then South Australia, and was one of the Black Ducks’ best on both occasions.

Why Slocombe?

Explosive, tick. High work rate, tick. X-Factor, tick. Versatility, tick. The Claremont utility might not come with the CV that some others do, but her form this season has been hard to deny, and she has all the traits that catch the eye. Not really considered to be in the frame for this echelon of the draft, Slocombe has not missed a beat with double-digit disposals in each of her matches this season and six goals from six games, also missing a stack due to injury but come back and having an impact.

The standout ruck remaining in the AFLW Draft crop, the national carnival looms as a big one for the talented and athletic Cleaver. As she saw her peers in Matilda Scholz and Darcie Davies earn spots on AFLW lists, Cleaver remains as the number one ruck in the AFLW Academy. She is not just a pure ruck, and is likely a smidgeon undersized at the top level, which is why she has forged a career as a key forward who can pinch-hit on-ball.

An impressive athletic type with a great vertical leap and nice speed for a tall, Cleaver is also forging a netball career having represented Western Australia in that code as well. Hoping to juggle both sports, the East Fremantle tall will draw plenty of interest from AFLW clubs with her ground level work the best of the ruck/forwards in the crop. Having played six games this season for the Sharks, Cleaver averages 11 disposals, three marks and 11 hitouts.

Why Cleaver?

The most athletic tall in the draft crop. she stands at 181cm and is like a fourth midfielder. Though likely to play more as a key forward, Cleaver has the athleticism and ground level work that enables her to impact outside of her aerial contests. Both WA clubs will likely be scrambling to bring her in.

Unfortunately for Weston-Turner, 2023 has not had the ideal start, going down with injury and only playing the two games. Against Tasmania Devils in Round 3, Weston-Turner caught the eye with 15 disposals, three marks, five tackles, five inside 50s, before not being able to influence as much in the wet against Calder Cannons. But when it comes to the Western Jets tall, clubs are not picking her on the now, but what she could become in the future.

Arguably boasting the highest ceiling of those in the later first round, Weston-Turner is a 178cm forward with explosive speed and just as capable at ground level as she is on the lead. Famously booting a goal from the centre circle at Mars Stadium, Weston-Turner does have a booming kick, and can burn off opponents with ease. Able to do the incredible on her day, she has X-factor in spades and if she can live up to her potential, she will be a very good player in the future.

Why Weston-Turner?

The X-factor of the draft crop, few players are her size and have her speed. With some strong footballing traits to-boot as well, Weston-Turner has high upside and is one that clubs will take a punt on based on what she could be in a few years after development in an elite level system.

The Peel Thunder midfielder took her game to another level in the Under 17s Futures match last season, earning best afield for her side to announce herself as a top-end AFLW Draft prospect. In 2023, Srhoj has had an injury-interrupted season, copping a concussion early in the year with a clash in Round 1 of the WAFLW, and she took a little while to get back to full fitness. Upon return, she worked her way back to her best, and has built up some form over the past month.

Srhoj had her best game of the season last week in Round 12 against South Fremantle, picking up 20 disposals, six marks and five tackles building on a strong performance from the week before against West Perth. Also solid against South Australia at the AFLW Under 18 Championships, Srhoj’s best is Top 10 quality, it is just about the consistency of maintaining that ability. The top-age young gun has the size and traits to even be the first off the board in the West Australian pool, and realistically is not too far off the top few on her day.

Why Srhoj?

Having proven herself as a dual-midfielder both inside and on a wing, Srhoj is clean at ground level and by hand, and is not afraid to take grass when given time and space. Her execution at times could still improve, but at 175cm and a capacity to compete well in the air as well as at ground level, she is more than capable of getting better and clubs will undoubtedly see the potential there, as she showed in the Futures game last year.

Playing a similar role to Srhoj, McMullen has started out as a wing and is more likely to slot into that position at the top level as Queensland’s top prospect for 2023. She has the running capacity and the speed that catches the eye, and though she can often get herself into trouble by taking the game on, it is an appealing aspect to AFLW clubs. Like Srhoj, McMullen had a very impressive Under 17s Futures match last year, showing she can match it with the best of her peer group.

In 2023, McMullen has had some interruptions, only recently playing her first Suns Academy game in the Talent League yesterday after missing the first couple. She showed those moments of brilliance at times, but is still building that four-quarter consistency. A more pure outside player compared to others in the Top 20, McMullen still applies defensive pressure and is not afraid to get her hands dirty when required as she showed in her bottom-age year for the Suns and Queensland.

Why McMullen?

A clean player with a high running capacity, McMullen loves to tuck the ball under the arm and break the lines. In an elite system, she will improve her game sense further, and with time and space she can be incredibly damaging. Though there are tweaks to be made to areas of her game, she has a lot of natural talent and is one who the Suns will be looking at closely to bring into their AFLW program.

After suffering a broken leg last year, Rentsch had a delayed start to her preseason and spent more time off half-back than through the middle where she would ideally move to in her top-age year. Now having regained the fitness she has lost since, the GWV Rebels speedster has gradually moved into that midfield role and is getting her hands on the ball more. On the weekend, Rentsch had a season-high 18 touches against Gippsland Power and was among her side’s best yet again.

One of the most agile and explosive players in the draft crop, Rentsch screams upside, and the fact she has retained that speed after overcoming such a serious leg injury is impressive. She still has areas to work on such as the final execution and tempering expectations as she can tend to get caught a bit, but she can equally dish it out with great run-down tackles. In season 2023, Rentsch has averaged 13.9 disposals and 6.4 tackles, and since moving into the midfield more in the past three weeks, has averaged 15.3 disposals and 11.3 tackles, as well as 4.7 inside 50s.

Why Rentsch?

Another player with enormous upside, few have her offensive abilities with her defensive mindset. She has outstanding two-way running and has already been able to slot into half-back, the wing and inside midfield. While an on-ball role is surely her position long-term, her adaptability will be a big tick for clubs and is one who could be highly sought after.

The first Vic Country player to enter the Power Rankings, Keck is a naturally-gifted midfielder/forward who will likely play the latter role at the top level. She has the defensive pressure as well as the natural footy smarts to adapt, and definitely knows where the goals are. In 2022, Keck booted seven goals from 10 games, gradually moving into the midfield in her bottom-age year after showing promising early signs as a 16-year-old in 2021. Her progression into a midfielder who rotates forward in 2023 has shown she can play both roles effectively.

Though Keck has missed a couple of games due to injury of late, she has kept herself busy coaching and developing herself off-field having also been awarded the Bendigo captaincy this year. Her defensive pressure is one of the best in the Top 20 as is her goal sense. Though Bendigo has largely struggled in terms of results, Keck is a player who can influence a game not just individually, but setting up teammates for scoring opportunities.

Why Keck?

A natural footballer with an eye for goals, Keck is a player who brings equal measures of offensive and defensive pressure. She can hit the scoreboard herself through finding space or laying a big tackle, as well as using her superior vision and smarts to choose the right options if there are teammates in better positions. She is also the most enthusiastic goal celebrator for fans who enjoy watching some theatre.

South Adelaide midfielder Boileau is another draft bolter this season, coming off a remarkable 2023 SANFLW campaign that still has one more match left in it. Last season, the predominant big-bodied forward missed out on a spot in the stacked State Academy, and went back to work on her craft increase her production rate and move into the midfield. After a huge preseason, Boileau came out as a locked in member of the Panthers midfield and has hardly put a foot wrong.

Only missing the two games – one due to State Academy duties and the other due to a foot injury – Boileau has averaged 18.2 disposals, 3.2 marks, 4.3 clearances, 6.8 tackles and 2.2 inside 50s and her sole goal was the only one in a low-scoring tussle against the Eagles in Round 7. Consistency is key, and Boileau has not had lower than 16 disposal all year, with 21 being her peak, but her tackling and clearances have also been consistent, and she can work to the outside as well.

Why Boileau?

One who 12 months ago would not have been near the top of the list, her transformation has been one to really applaud and overcome missing out on the State Academy to be a key member of the Croweaters’ squad. Her performances made her hard to deny for this list, and the icing on the cake was her performance against Western Australia, where she had 20 disposals, seven clearances, kicked a goal and laid eight tackles and ran at 80 per cent.

If consistency is key, then one can look no further than West Australian Henry, who has been one of the few AFLW Draft prospects from the Black Ducks evident from when they first stepped into a senior lineup. Making her debut in her double bottom-age year, Henry played as a defender for 18 months and caught the eye with her reliable kicking, strong hands, good decision making and one-on-one work. Once she played for Western Australia at the 2022 AFLW Under 18 Championships as a midfielder, her club side Swan Districts followed suit.

Since then, Henry has continued on her merry way as a hard-at-it inside midfielder. She has outstandingly clean hands at the stoppage, puts her body in the way and is a someone who can always role back to defence given she has the height and strength to match tall forwards. The knock will come on her athleticism with her speed, but she has the power to shrug off tackles, and footy IQ through the roof. If clubs can see her as that inside midfielder or rebounding defender, she is more than capable of making a big impact at AFLW level.

Why Henry?

Though non-explosive inside midfielders are not always looked favourably upon, Henry has a few points of difference. She has the size in terms of her 176cm height, and is a lovely left foot kick. She always has the versatility ticked off as well. If she had that explosiveness she would be in the conversation for Top 10 easily, so with all her traits in consideration, she is simply too good of a footballer to ignore for Top 20.

Williamson is one of those players who has all the pieces to be a very good footballer, and it is a case of just putting it all together. Her explosive speed, evasion and endurance make her a player that can run and run all day long. Starting her career as a half-back and then progressing to a wing, Williamson finds space well and takes off, looking to hit the ground running. After missing Round 1 due to injury, Williamson was a little slow to start the 2023 season, but over the last few rounds – either side of the community break – and particularly after it, the Stingrays talent has found some nice form.

Her kicking efficiency is developing which is the next step, and she is starting to clunk those marks she was dropping early in the season. Since Round 4, she has taking five or six marks in three of her four matches and looking more confident when having to compete aerially. She is not afraid to crack in as well at times, and is similar to Rentsch in that way. Though predominantly an outside player, she has the traits to play inside and on her athletic base alone, clubs will be keen.

Why Williamson?

While some of her fundamentals are developing, her athletic profile is one to savour for AFLW clubs, with Williamson ranking among the top few players in both the agility and Yo-Yo tests in the preseason. Not the finished product just yet, if she can continue her upward trajectory throughout the Coates Talent League season – and with Vic Country at nationals – then she can move higher on the list.

To complete the initial Top 20 is another Vic Country representative in Bendigo Pioneers’ O’Rourke. Like Williamson, O’Rourke is a player who has all the pieces to be a very good player, and is starting to put them together in her top-age year. Standing at 176cm, O’Rourke has largely been among the best Pioneers in each of her side’s games, and until the weekend’s heavy loss to Dandenong, had hit the scoreboard in each one. Able to be a threat aerially, as well as play midfield or forward, O’Rourke has that explosive speed out of the blocks and a high upside for the future.

In 2023, O’Rourke has averaged 13.8 disposals, 3.2 marks, 3,8 inside 50s and booted 6.1, with a lot of her goals coming from long-range on the run. She does have a booming kick and a long stride able to create separation on her opponents, and is rated highly internally by the Pioneers for her work within the group. Her defensive game is still one that is developing though she laid a career-high five tackles on the weekend – and her endurance has a long way to go – but her bursts allow her to impact games.

Why O’Rourke?

Another pick for the future more so than for the now, O’Rourke is a very exciting player from an athletic profile sense, and to be 176cm and move like the wind is outstanding. She does have areas to work on, but it is hard to ignore of those areas alone, and the fact that playing as a half-forward, O’Rourke can still find her fair share of the ball, and clunk some great marks.