Free Kick Liam

Just one week to go.

Are there any early guesses for who kicks off the countdown?

#SuperCoach | #AFLFantasy | #AFLDreamTeam | #KeeperAFL

The #AFLW FA/Trade period has been and gone, and the draft is coming on Monday.
Here are my thoughts on the key draft needs for all 18 teams going into the first fully national draft 🧵

McGrath is a tap ruck in the mold of a Kim Rennie, so not above the level of the current rucks.

Definitely feel like Cleaver is seen as a defender at the moment, and there's clearly something nqr with Lakay in the eyes of Daisy.

There ends my thoughts in a twitter friendly format. There's are a heap of Draft/FA opinions kicking around my noggin, so please do let me know your thoughts about this #AFLW off-season!

WCE
I like what Daisy has done to West Coast's list so far, and adding Liz McGrath takes away a need. A a goal scoring half forward or a midfield project will bolster the Eagle's list long term. #AFLWDraft

WBD
Best available player should be the mantra of the day for the Bulldogs. This is the youngest list in the AFLW, and have possible future openings on every line. My targets @ 7 are Sara Howley (Mid) and Emma McDonald (Fwd) #AFLWDraft

Sydney
They were active in the trade period, but I’m not sure they got better… O’Hehir gets picked before Syd, which is unfortunate as she'd be ideal. I want to say that India Rasheed becomes their target, but after adding Darc Moloney in FA, I’m not sure. #AFLWDraft

St Kilda
Trades for Amber Clarke and Baskaran mean that StK don’t pick until #32. Ideally the Saints can find some options who can blends some goal scoring acumen with midfield experience, as I reckon both are gaps in this list. #AFLWDraft

Richmond
Losing Sheerin hurts a lot, impacting the mid balance and their half back depth. I’ve struggled to understand the Tigers this offseason, but those two spots would be my targets in the draft, maybe a KB replacement as well. #AFLWDraft

Port Adelaide
Speed should be the order of the day at Port, alongside some defenders. Both of these gaps were exploited by North in the prelim, and I do wonder if the Power’s (over)reliance on long kicking is born out of these deficiencies as well… #AFLWDraft

North Melbourne
They can target whatever they feel like. They had no roster gaps when the 2024 season started and ended their GF run the same way. Sheerin and Hetherington were both shrewd moves (even at their different skill levels), so North can take the best talent available on Monday. #AFLWDraft

Melbourne
Reports are that Molly O’Hehir, the taller mid/def is the Dees target at #2 (which I rate). I’d also look at key FWD - whilst neither of Georgia Gall or Tayla Harris left via FA, there were real concerns early doors. #AFLWDraft

Hawthorn
The 'it' team of 2024 arrive at draft night with a healthy list profile and no pressing needs. I might look at drafting some additional depth across the wing and half back, or another mid to cover for the loss of Mattea Breed.

GWS
The Nicola Barr era at GWS is over, so picking a midfielder this draft feels *right*. Selecting either of WA’s Zippy Fish or Molly O’Hehir would be where I’d be making my choice, with both showing class and athletic talent. #AFLWDraft

Gold Coast
Havana Harris (Mid/Ruck) & Tarra Harrington (Mid/HB) will be selected from GCS Academy. With Bohanna now at Carlton, and Jac Dupuy in her age 31 season in ’25, the Suns probably need to search for a late round FWD flyer. #AFLWDraft

Geelong
With limited ruck options in the draft pool, Geelong signed Caitie Tipping as a rookie from volleyball. That leaves their mid/tall defenders as the number 1 need, with MegMac in her twilight and AR Kennedy heading back to Ireland. #AFLWDraft

Fremantle
Sorry Freo, your ideal option, sandgrouper Zippy Fish, probably doesn’t last until pick 13. Her speed as a mid with the ability to start across HB is exactly what the Freo Doctor ordered. Find a like-candidate ought to be the goal. #AFLWDraft

Essendon
Looks like Paige Scott joins Amber Clarke on the way out of the forward line, so explosive forwards immediately becomes the Don’s #1 need. Don’t discount the possibility that a utility (Scholz/Riggs) appears as the pick at 8. #AFLWDraft

Collingwood
Ash Centra has skills and poise which bely her age and should go @ pick 1. I would also be taking swings at all of key def/fwd and ruck this draft given the Pies depth issues + this list is several years away from competing #AFLWDraft

Carlton
The Blues will get to select Sophie McKay as a F/D pick in the first round, and her mid/fwd skillset should boost their list. I still believe they’re missing defenders and goal scorers, but FWD Bohanna as a trade certainly helped.#AFLWDraft

Brisbane
Blessed with no real short-term needs, Brissy can target some depth in the draft. Personally, a lockdown defender or an inside midfielder present as the most likely options, with defender being where I’d lean. #AFLWDraft

Adelaide
Newman stayed, and Grace Kelly joined via FA to provide HB/Wing depth. That leaves a project to sit behind Gould and Allan as the biggest need, after some noticeable instability in that 3rd tall position late in ‘24. #AFLWDraft

The #AFLW FA/Trade period has been and gone, and the draft is coming on Monday.
Here are my thoughts on the key draft needs for all 18 teams going into the first fully national draft 🧵

Looks like pick 8 will be on the table for Essendon #AFLW in this trade deal, but I get the sense that Richmond will be keen to atone for their loss of Eilish Sheerin by playing hard ball...

Feels like a lot still to play out

Pies target duo, Hawks' Harris pursuit up in the air A busy finish to the AFLW Trade Period looms as the Pies shape as potentially being major players

Big #AFLW news from Riley Beveridge - Breed to Pies would be a serious coup, and if Essendon were able to secure Yassir for Paige Scott, it might help soothe the pain of losing a former top 10 pick.

Tayla Harris feels like a last second deadline deal at best...

www.afl.com.au/aflw/news/12...

Pies target duo, Hawks' Harris pursuit up in the air A busy finish to the AFLW Trade Period looms as the Pies shape as potentially being major players

Big #AFLW news from Riley Beveridge - Breed to Pies would be a serious coup, and if Essendon were able to secure Yassir for Paige Scott, it might help soothe the pain of losing a former top 10 pick.

Tayla Harris feels like a last second deadline deal at best...

www.afl.com.au/aflw/news/12...

Maybe it was excess bowing that caused the soreness in the first place?

Repeating the Gardiner explosion might be setting some unreasonably high expectations, but Moloney is definitely more talented than her last 18 month stint at Geelong would show

1st North Melbourne
FA: Pre-FA, this list has ZERO gaps, so aim of the game will be to retain or find replacements for any retired/traded players
Draft: 2/3 yr projects to replace Kate Shierlaw and Emma Kearney, who present as the most likely players to retire in next season or two.

#AFLW

3rd Brisbane
FA: Half back. Brisbane have few pressing needs. If Jade Ellenger becomes more of a mid, a like-for-like potential replacement would be handy to have.
Draft: Blessed with talents across the list, a rookie inside mid should help future proof the squad

#AFLW