THE 2026 AFL Women’s Preseason Draft has been run and done with 11 players added to AFLW lists tonight. Nine sides took part in the draft, with GWS Giants and West Coast each making two selections, and the picks decided by reverse ladder order from last season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As expected, Lily Quigley <\/strong>was the first name off the board after having a remarkable start to the season. After a relatively quiet year for the Giants Academy talent, the over-ager moved to Queensland where she has been starring for the Lions Academy throughout the Talent League Girls this season. Can play as a wing or a half-forward and her kicking has improved out of sight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The former ACT talent moved to Queensland, switching places with Queenslander Maisy Evans whose move into the midfield this season has seen the Bond University talent head to New South Wales. A couple of Irish players were also picked up in Emma Dineen<\/strong> and Saoirse Lally,<\/strong> while athleticism was the key across the board for the most part, with overlooked talents such as Sienna Gerardi<\/strong>, Mikaylah Antony,<\/strong> Sophia Gaukrodger<\/strong> and Lily Smart <\/strong>all great movers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After a couple of misses on draft night, Noa McNaughton<\/strong>‘s ripping early season form with East Fremantle saw her elevated to AFLW level, while South Adelaide’s Lauren Clifton<\/strong> was rewarded for an incredible 2025 season, and is an immediate answer for the Demons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Pick 1 | Gold Coast – Lily Quigley<\/a> (Lions Academy\/Queensland) The full wrap up on each and every pick will come tomorrrow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\nEVERY PICK:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Pick 2 | GWS Giants – Maisy Evans<\/strong> (Bond University\/Queensland)
Pick 3 | Essendon – Emma Dineen<\/strong> (County Kerry\/Ireland)
Pick 4 | Western Bulldogs – Amaia Wain<\/a> (UNSW-ES Bulldogs\/Swans Academy\/NSW-ACT)
Pick 5 | Fremantle – Noa McNaughton<\/a> (East Fremantle\/Western Australia)
Pick 6 | West Coast – Sienna Gerardi<\/a> (Swan Districts\/Western Australia)
Pick 7 | St Kilda – Saoirse Lally<\/strong> (County Mayo\/Ireland)
Pick 8 | Hawthorn – Mikaylah Antony<\/a> (Central District\/South Australia)
Pick 9 | Melbourne – Lauren Clifton<\/a> (South Adelaide\/South Australia)
Pick 10 | GWS Giants – Sophia Gaukrodger<\/a> (UTS Bats\/Giants Academy\/NSW-ACT)
Pick 11 | West Coast – Lily Smart<\/a> (Sturt\/South Australia)<\/p>\n\n\n\n