The Age - Daniel Cherny
AFLW 2020 Round 1
COLLINGWOOD
v
WEST COAST
Time & Place:
Sunday February 9, 1:10pm EDT
Victoria Park
TV:
Foxtel 1.00pm EDT
Weather:
Min 19 Max 25
Chance of rain 60%: 1-5mm
Wind: SE 18kph
Betting:
Collingwood $1.37
West Coast $3.02 |
Having put a
tumultuous period of collective bargaining agreement negotiations behind
them, AFLW players are back for the fourth season of the national
women's competition.
Yet again the league has a different look,
with four new clubs joining the party: Richmond, St Kilda, Gold Coast
and West Coast. The controversial conference system is back too, with
teams split into two conferences of seven sides. Season length has
expanded, but only to eight home and away matches plus three weeks of
finals, meaning teams play every other side in their conference twice as
well as having two cross-conference opponents.
The finals will
run for three weekends, with the top three sides from both conferences
advancing. The top side from both conferences will head directly through
to the preliminary final stage, with the second and third sides from
the respective conferences needing to get through elimination finals
first. Here's how the teams are looking ahead of round one, which begins
on Friday night.
.
Conference A
Adelaide
Coach: Matthew Clarke
Co-captains: Erin Phillips and Chelsea Randall
Squad: Caitlin
Gould, Eloise Jones, Angela Foley, Chloe Scheer, Courtney Gum, Hannah
Button (nee Martin), Nikki Gore, Najwa Allen, Deni Varnhagen, Ebony
Marinoff, Rhiannon Metcalfe, Chelsea Biddell, Maisie Nankivell, Erin
Phillips, Stevie-Lee Thompson, Danielle Ponter, Ailish Considine,
Madison Newman, Ruth Wallace, Sophie Li, Nicole Campbell, Montana
McKinnon, Courtney Cramey, Justine Mules, Jessica Foley, Chelsea
Randall, Renee Forth, Jaimi Tabb, Dayna Cox, Marijana Rajcic, Anne
Hatchard, Sarah Allan.
 |
| Erin Phillips is the competition's best player. Credit: AAP |
Key player: Erin Phillips. Phillips
has been the standout player of the competition's history to date,
claiming two league best and fairest titles and looking a class above
when fit due to her skill and outrageous athleticism. Dangerous both
forward and in the midfield, she can turn a game in little time. But the
veteran ruptured her ACL in last year's grand final and faces a delayed
start to the season. The Crows' chances of going back-to-back may hinge
on how much football they can get from their co-captain.
Last season: Premiers (8-1)
The
Crows lost the opening game of their season by a point to the Western
Bulldogs before wiping the floor with the rest of the competition,
winning eight straight matches in what ultimately proved to be a
premiership procession. No one got within five goals of them from round
four onwards, with Adelaide's coronation coming as they crushed Carlton
by 45 points in front of more than 53,000 fans at Adelaide Oval.
Prediction: Adelaide
again loom as the team to beat, given their already strong core – the
Crows had five All-Australians last year – and the fact they've been
largely immune to the expansion raiders, an advantage of being in a
one-team town. The biggest threat to Adelaide's campaign could be
injuries. Phillips, Metcalfe and Scheer are all on the road back from
ACL injuries, while midfielder Martin and brilliant co-captain Randall
will both miss the season following knee reconstructions. Wing Varnhagen
is also facing a delayed start to her campaign following a knee injury
sustained in a practice match last weekend against Fremantle.
Brisbane Lions
Coach: Craig Starcevich
Captain: Emma Zielke
Squad:
Emily Bates, Jordan Zanchetta, Breanna Koenen, Sharni Webb, Jade
Ellenger, Lily Postlehwaite, Gabby Collingwood, Emma Zielke, Orla
O'Dwyer, Natalie Grider, Rheanne Lugg, Sophie Conway, Kate Lutkins,
Dakota Davidson, Greta Bodey, Lauren Arnell, Isabel Dawes, Ally
Anderson, Selina Priest, Shannon Campbell, Arianna Clarke, Brianna
McFarlane, Jess Wuetschner, Tahlia Hickie, Catherine Svarc, Lucy
Bellinger, Jessy Keeffe, Maria Moloney, Hannah Hillman.
 |
| Lions Key player Jess Wuetschner |
Key player: Jess
Wuetschner. There have been few more consistent forwards in the
competition across the first few seasons than the tenacious and crafty
Wuetschner, who was an All-Australian in 2018 and has kicked 26 goals
from 23 AFLW matches, second only to the incomparable Phillips. Pocket
rocket Wuetschner
survived a major scare on the eve of the season
after she was struck by lightning while working on the docks in
Brisbane, however the Tasmanian remains on track to play in round one.
How they went last year: Fourth in conference B (2-5)
Losing
grand finalists in both of the first two AFLW seasons, the Lions were
unable to replicate that form in 2019. Their best was still strong –
beating reigning premiers the Western Bulldogs on the road in round four
– but overall they were mediocre. A finals spot still beckoned heading
into the last round of the season but Brisbane's loss to the previously
winless Collingwood showed that the Lions ultimately weren't up to the
mark.
Prediction: The
Bulldogs have also been pillaged over the journey, but perhaps no club
has been harder hit by expansion than the Lions, who head into 2020
looking worryingly inexperienced. Tayla Harris, Jamie Stanton and
Kaitlyn Ashmore left across the first couple of years of the competition
before Sabrina Frederick, Nat Exon, Kate McCarthy, captain Leah Kaslar,
Sam Virgo and Jacqui Yorston departed at the end of last season, not to
mention assistant coach David Lake who has taken the reins at Gold
Coast. Having gone goalless in their practice match against Greater
Western Sydney last weekend, a tough year looms for the Lions.
Geelong
Coach: Paul Hood
 |
| Cats skipper Melissa Hickey. Credit: Getty Images |
Captain: Melissa Hickey
Squad:
Rene Caris, Danielle Higgins, Amy McDonald, Cassie Blakeway, Jordan
Ivey, Julia Crockett-Grills, Madisen Maguire, Kate Darby, Nina Morrison,
Georgie Rankin, Meg McDonald, Renee Garing, Aasta O'Connor, Gemma
Wright, Olivia Purcell, Georgia Clarke, Melissa Hickey, Millie Brown,
Mia Skinner, Becky Webster, Nicole Garner, Phoebe McWilliams, Maddy
McMahon, Madeleine Boyd, Sophie Van De Heuvel, Denby Taylor, Richelle
Cranston, Anna Teague, Bec Goring, Maddy Keryk.
Key player: Meg
McDonald. Discarded by the Bulldogs after the first season of AFLW,
McDonald made the Dogs regret that decision with a brilliant debut
campaign for the Cats last season. Shifted into defence, McDonald was
reliable in the air, and was one of the big reasons Geelong made it to
the finals in their first season. She was rewarded with All-Australian
selection and claimed the Cats' inaugural AFLW best and fairest gong
even after playing the back end of the season with a stress fracture in
her foot. But the Geelong vice-captain broke her finger at training on
Thursday night and has been ruled out until at least the midway point of
the season.
Last season: Losing preliminary finalists (3-5).
It
was a funny old first season for the Cats, who ended up making the
finals despite having the worst percentage in the competition. Geelong
benefitted from the fact they were placed in the ultimately much weaker
Conference B, with narrow wins over Collingwood and Carlton proving
telling. But Geelong had averaged just 22 points across the home and
away season, and their lack of firepower was laid bare in a 66-point
finals thrashing at the hands of the Crows.
Prediction: The
Cats went with a young squad for their first season, hoping their group
would grow together in the coming years. Last year's finals berth will
be difficult to back up though given the way they made it, although the
return of 2018's No.1 draft pick Nina Morrison – who tore her ACL at
training days after the round one win over Collingwood last season –
should be a big boost to the Cats' midfield. The loss of McDonald will
hurt.
Gold Coast
Coach: David Lake
Co-captains: Leah Kaslar and Sam Virgo
Squad: Paige
Parker, Lauren Bella, Tori Groves-Little, Jordann Hickey, Jacqui
Yorston, Charlotte Hammans, Lauren Ahrens, Sally Riley, Emma Pittman,
Maddy Roberts, Leah Kaslar, Molly Ritson, Taylor Smith, Serene Watson,
Tayla Thorn, Brittany Perry, Jamie Stanton, Kitara Whap-Farrar, Tiarna
Ernst, Jasmyn Hewett, Ellie Hampson, Sam Virgo, Kalinda Howarth, Hannah
Dunn, Dee Heslop, Kate Surman, Cheyenne Hammond, Lexi Hamilton, Jade
Pregelj, Georgia Breward.
Key player: Leah Kaslar. One of
several players to have defected from the Lions, there was perhaps no
bigger signing for the expansion club than the defender, who captained
Brisbane last year. The dependable veteran plays tall at 171 centimetres
and was a member of the All-Australian squad in 2017.
Last season: NA
Prediction: Gold
Coast tried to pick the eyes out of what was an already depleted Lions
squad, while they've also landed a handful of players from reigning
premiers Adelaide. But the bulk of their list is made up of
inexperienced Queenslanders. The junior girls' pathway in the Sunshine
State has been a successful breeding ground, but depth will be tested. A
practice match defeat to fellow expansion club St Kilda probably showed
the Suns' level.
Greater Western Sydney
Coach: Alan McConnell
Captain: Alicia Eva
 |
| Giants leaders: Jessica Dal Pos, Cora Staunton, Alicia Eva, Pepa Randall and Britt Tully. Credit: Louise Kennerley |
Squad:
Emily Goodsir, Alicia Eva, Alyce Parker, Maggie Gorham, Jodie Hicks,
Rebecca Beeson, Jess Dal Pos, Nicola Barr, Tanya Hetherington, Ellie
Brush, Aimee Schmidt, Louise Stephenson, Cora Staunton, Annalyse Lister,
Lisa Whiteley, Taylah Davies, Georgia Garnett, Rebecca Privitelli, Lisa
Steane, Pepa Randall, Elle Bennetts, Erin McKinnon, Haneen Zrelka,
Ingrid Nielsen, Yvonne Bonner, Sarah Halvorsen, Tait Mackrill, Jacinda
Barclay, Britt Tully, Jess Allan.
Key player: Cora
Staunton. A legend of Gaelic football in Ireland, Staunton turned her
hand to the Australian game a couple of years ago and has become one of
the Giants' best players, proving a handful up forward over the past
couple of years. A broken leg suffered while playing in the AFL Sydney
competition last May threatened to end her career, but at 38 she has
inspirationally returned and has been elevated to the GWS leadership
group.
Last season: Third in conference B (2-5).
Hopes
for the Giants were high after a promising 2018 season in which they
narrowly missed a grand final berth. But things just didn't click for
GWS last year, with several important players unable to replicate their
form from 12 months earlier. Three straight losses to start the season
left them with an uphill battle, although a comfortable final-round win
over the Cats was a reminder of the group's potential.
Prediction: Like
the Crows, the Giants benefit from the fact they are in a one-team
state. But they still lost crafty forward Christina Bernardi and
midfielder Phoebe Monahan to Richmond, as well as experienced on-baller
Emma Swanson to West Coast. Inaugural Giants captain
Amanda Farrugia also announced her retirement
last year, leaving GWS reasonably depleted. However there is still
plenty of talent on this list, evidenced by the way they put the Lions
to the sword last weekend.
North Melbourne
Coach: Scott Gowans
Captain: Emma Kearney
 |
| Jess Duffin will miss the upcoming season for North Melbourne. Credit: Joe Armao |
Squad: Sophie
Abbatangelo, Daria Bannister, Taylor Mesiti, Elisha King, Kate
Gillespie-Jones, Emma Humphries, Ashleigh Riddell, Aileen Gilroy, Emma
Kearney, Kaitlyn Ashmore, Daisy Bateman, Nicole Bresnehan, Mairead
Seoighe, Tahlia Randall, Sarah Wright, Brittany Gibson, Jasmine
Grierson, Bethany Lynch, Jessica Trend, Ellie Gavalas, Mia King, Tahni
Nestor, Jasmine Garner, Abbey Green, Jess Duffin, Libby Haines, Chloe
Haines, Danielle Hardiman, Jenna Bruton, Vivien Saad, Emma King.
Key player: Jasmine
Garner. The key forward will forever be etched in history having kicked
the first goal in the history of AFLW when playing for Collingwood
against Carlton in the opening round of 2017. She moved to Arden Street
ahead of North's inaugural AFLW campaign and again impressed, making the
All-Australian side and forming part of a prolific Kangaroos outfit.
Last season: Third in Conference A (5-2).
North
had ruffled feathers with an audacious recruiting spree leading into
their first AFLW season so unsurprisingly expectations were high heading
into the 2019 campaign. The Roos started with four straight wins
including a thumping victory over reigning premiers the Bulldogs, but
were brought down to earth by Adelaide in round five. The Roos headed to
Western Australia, needing to beat Fremantle to make the finals but
were trumped by the Dockers. North could consider themselves stiff to
have missed the finals given their record would have been enough to top
the other conference.
Prediction: North again look like one
of the teams to beat. They weren't that far off the mark last season
and have looked to improve their forward pressure, resulting in the
controversial decision to delist high-profile goalkicker Moana Hope
after just one season at the club. The loss of All-Australian defender
Jess Duffin – who will miss the season because of pregnancy – leaves a hole but this is a very talented group that should contend for a flag.
Richmond
Coach: Tom Hunter
Captain: Katie Brennan
Squad:
Sophie Molan, Phoebe Monahan, Katie Brennan, Monique Conti, Madeline
Brancatisano, Christina Bernardi, Lauren Tesoriero, Courtney Wakefield,
Hannah Burchell, Kodi Jacques, Alice Edmonds, Laura Bailey, Alana
Woodward, Sabrina Frederick, Rebecca Miller, Laura McClelland, Ella
Wood, Sarah Sansonetti, Kate Dempsey, Holly Whitford, Iilish Ross,
Nekaela Butler, Emma Horne, Tayla Stahl, Cleo Saxon-Jones, Ciara
Fitzgerald, Emily Harley, Gabby Seymour, Akec Makur Chuot, Grace
Campbell.
 |
| Monique Conti leaves WNBL club to play full AFLW season with Richmond |
Key player: Monique
Conti. Brennan might be the captain and a bigger name for now but Conti
– who only turned 20 in December – could be the Tigers' best signing.
Traded from the Western Bulldogs after a tense and acrimonious period in
which the AFL ultimately handed Richmond pick one to trade for the
midfielder, Conti has shown her quality already in two seasons since
making her debut, named best afield in the Dogs' 2018 grand final before
claiming the club's best and fairest and being named All-Australian
last season.
Conti has turned her back on the WNBL's Melbourne Boomers, with the cross-code star set to channel all her energies for now on helping the Tigers into the finals.
Last season: NA
Prediction: The
Tigers were much more successful than fellow expansion side St Kilda in
landing big-name recruits for their entry into the competition.
Richmond's side looks pretty talented on paper, although like several
sides their depth could be an issue. Keen to establish herself as one of
the competition's leading midfielders, Brennan is only expected to
pinch-hit as a forward, but as shown in the practice match against West
Coast, the likes of Bernardi, Stahl and Wakefield can be a handful, not
to mention the imposing figure of Frederick.
Conference B
Carlton
Coach: Daniel Harford
Co-captains: Katie Loynes and Kerryn Harrington
Squad:
Grace Egan, Katie Loynes, Darcy Vescio, Madison Prespakis, Abbie McKay,
Gabriella Pound, Tayla Harris, Vaomua Laloifi, Kerryn Harrington, Sarah
Hosking, Jess Hosking, Lauren Brazzale, Lucy McEvoy, Brooke Walker,
Chloe Dalton, Breann Moody, Katie Harrison, Georgia Gee, Charlotte
Wilson, Nicola Stevens, Courtney Jones, Sharnie Whiting, Jess Edwards,
Joanne Doonan, Emerson Woods, Alison Downie, Brooke Vernon, Natalie
Plane, Serena Gibbs, Jayde Van Dyk.
 |
| Maddy Prespakis won the Rising Star award last year. Credit: Justin McManus |
Key player: Madison
Prespakis. Taken as the No.3 draft pick in 2018, Prespakis burst onto
the scene last year. The nuggety midfielder showed her class from early
in the season and produced a debut campaign to savour. She was a lay
down misere for the Rising Star award, and earned All-Australian
selection as a teenager. Prespakis has plenty of upside too, and if she
can improve her tank could soon be in discussions for the league's best
player.
Last season: 5-4 (Runners-up)
From
the ashes of a wooden-spoon finish the previous year, Harford turned
things around at Ikon Park, with his vibrant and jovial personality
translating into the way his side played the game. The Blues lost three
of their first four but charged home and brushed Fremantle aside in the
preliminary final although Carlton were ultimately no match for the
mighty Crows on grand final day.
Prediction: The defection
of captain Brianna Davey to arch rivals Collingwood pained the Blues but
they look to have made the most of the loss, picking up young gun
midfielder Lucy McEvoy with the No.2 pick they gained in the trade for
Davey. There is an experienced core which has proven itself capable of
making an impact, and with Prespakis and McEvoy on the rise the Blues
should again be competitive. Harford has flagged a move forward for
Stevens, who made a name for herself in defence.
Collingwood
Coach: Steve Symonds
Captain: Steph Chiocci
Squad: Sharni
Layton, Chloe Molloy, Brianna Davey, Sarah D'Arcy, Emma Grant, Jordyn
Allen, Sarah Rowe, Brittany Bonnici, Alana Porter, Ashleigh Brazill,
Eliza Hynes, Stacey Livingstone, Jaimee Lambert, Aishling Sheridan,
Erica Fowler, Katie Lynch, Stephanie Chiocci, Ruby Schleicher, Kaila
Bentvelzen, Jordan Membrey, Sophie Casey, Lauren Butler, Sophie
Alexander, Mikala Cann, Georgia Gourlay, Machaelia Roberts, Maddie
Shevlin, Kristy Stratton, Sarah Dargan, Ebony O'Dea.
 |
| Injury sidelined Collingwood's Chloe Molloy last season. Credit: Getty |
Key player: Chloe
Molloy. The No.3 selection in the 2017 draft, Molloy quickly
established herself as one of the league's best defenders, playing her
architect role to a tee in 2018. She was named the league's Rising Star,
finished second in the competition's best and fairest, and was an
All-Australian. However a serious foot injury ruled her out of the 2018
season, badly hurting the Pies. But she is back, and if she can
recapture her best will make a substantial difference.
Last season: 1-6 (Last in conference A)
Pillaged
by rival clubs – in particular North Melbourne – the Pies were always
going to be up against it last year, especially given Molloy's injury.
Their young group was plucky but struggled to ice games, and only on the
final day of the home and away season did Collingwood avoid becoming
the first team to go through an AFLW season winless, beating the Lions
at Victoria Park. Despite the gains made by some of their youth, coach
Wayne Siekman was not retained after three barren seasons.
Prediction: The
versatile Davey and classy Molloy should both provide a boost to the
Pies, who are yet to make the AFLW finals. However South Australian
Symonds still faces an uphill battle, particularly when it comes to
finding regular avenues to goal.
Fremantle
Coach: Trent Cooper
Captain: Kara Antonio
Squad: Ashley
Sharp, Kiara Bowers, Emma O'Driscoll, Mia-Rae Clifford, Tayla Bresland,
Sabreena Duffy, Jasmin Stewart, Evie Gooch, Alex Williams, Aine Tighe,
Lindal Rohde , Ebony Antonio, Katie-Jayne Grieve, Leah Mascall, Kara
Antonio (nee Donnellan), Sarah Garstone, Roxanne Roux, Philipa Seth,
Hayley Miller, Stephanie Cain, Mim Strom, Gabby O'Sullivan, Matilda
Sergeant, Ange Stannett, Ann McMahon, Bianca Webb, Gemma Houghton,
Janelle Cuthbertson ,Laura Pugh, Kate Flood.
 |
| Ebony Antonio in action for the Dockers. Credit: AAP |
Key player: Ebony
Antonio: The versatile Antonio – who married teammate Kara Donnellan
late last year – can play at either end of the ground. An All-Australian
in 2018, she stands out as one of the Dockers' guns.
Last season: 6-2 (losing preliminary finalists)
New
coach Cooper took the Dockers into uncharted waters last year. Boosted
by the return of Bowers from injury, Fremantle surged through the home
and away season in the tougher Conference A, losing only once in the
minor rounds to finish second behind Adelaide. However the Dockers
couldn't bring their best to Ikon Park when the stakes were high, sent
packing by the Blues.
Prediction: While
perhaps not hit quite as hard as the Lions, Fremantle were always going
to look weaker on paper this year given the addition of West Coast, who
sought to pick the eyes out of the top West Australian talent on Freo's
list. Melissa Caulfield, Ashlee Atkins and in particular All-Australian
Dana Hooker take some replacing. Still, the way the Dockers powered
through 2019, it would be foolish to write them off. They also landed
elite young WA talent Roxy Roux in last year's draft.
Melbourne
Coach: Mick Stinear
Captain: Daisy Pearce
Squad: Tegan
Cunningham, Meg Downie, Maddison Gay, Karen Paxman, Elisa O'Dea, Daisy
Pearce, Bianca Jakobsson, Sarah Lampard, Libby Birch, Kate Hore, Chantel
Emonson, Shelley Scott, Katherine Smith, Lily Mithen, Lauren Pearce.
Aliesha Newman, Niamh McEvoy, Casey Sherriff, Jacqueline Perry, Brenna
Tarrant, Harriet Cordner, Maddy Guerin, Sinead Goldrick, Shae Sloane,
Tyla Hanks, Eden Zanker, Shelley Heath, Krstel Petrevski, Gabrielle
Colvin, Ainslie Kemp.
 |
| Daisy Pearce is back in action for the Dees. Credit: Getty Images |
Key player: Daisy Pearce. It's hard
to go past the iconic Pearce, who returns to the game after missing last
season to give birth to twins. But the midfielder is back and looks in
fine fettle, appearing a class above in last week's practice match
against Collingwood. Set to turn 32 in May, Pearce might be approaching
the twilight of her career but her skills and footy smarts leave her in
good stead to keep thriving after All-Australian gongs in 2017 and 2018
Last season: Fourth in Conference A (4-3).
It
was a frustratingly familiar story for the Demons, who have been among
the most consistent sides across the first three seasons of AFLW without
making the finals. Having narrowly missed the decider in both 2017 and
2018, the Dees remained mathematically in the hunt heading into the
final round of 2019 but were thumped by Adelaide to unceremoniously end
Melbourne's season.
Prediction: Compared in particular to
the Bulldogs, the Dees were relatively spared during the expansion
signing period, with their highest-profile departure being that of Cat
Phillips to St Kilda. And given that Pearce is effectively a recruit,
the Dees could optimistically expect to be a better side this year. That
is however before injuries are taken into account, and the Demons
haven't fared well on that front. Defenders Shae Sloane and Katherine
Smith have both undergone knee reconstructions while gun ruck Lauren
Pearce will miss the start of the season following a knee injury of her
own.
St Kilda
Coach: Peta Searle
Co-captains: Rhiannon Watt, Cat Phillips and Kate Shierlaw
Squad: Molly
McDonald, Alison Brown, Emma Mackie, Claudia Whitfort, Darcy Guttridge,
Samantha Johnson, Rhiannon Watt, Alison Drennan, Kate McCarthy, Jessica
Sedunary, Isabella Shannon, Kate Shierlaw, Courteney Munn, Hannah
Priest, Nat Exon, Poppy Kelly, Caitlin Greiser, Tilly Lucas-Rodd,
Melissa Kuys, Kelly O'Neill, Georgia Patrikios, Tamara Luke, Olivia
Vesely, Clara Fitzpatrick, Rosie Dillon, Selena Karlson, Nicola Xenos,
Nadia von Bertouch, Tarni White, Catherine Phillips
 |
| Dangerous player: Kate McCarthy lays a tackle on Melissa Caulfield. Credit: AAP |
Key player: Kate
McCarthy. The speedster signed alongside Exon from the Brisbane Lions.
Capable of playing both in the midfield and up forward, McCarthy is a
dangerous player and the Saints will be boosted if she can recapture her
2017 All-Australian form.
Last season: NA
Prediction: Despite
a diligent and organised effort, the Saints didn't have much luck from
an expansion signing perspective, left frustrated by their inability to
land a big fish. Still, they have plenty of AFLW experience on their
list and a strong VFLW campaign last year should leave them more likely
to gel than some other sides. Early draftee Georgia Patrikios looks like
a star of the future, while young midfielder Olivia Vesely shone in the
practice match win against the Suns, a result that should provide heart
to St Kilda.
West Coast
Coach: Luke Dwyer
Captain: Emma Swanson
Squad: Mikayla
Bowen, Kellie Gibson, Brianna Green, Courtney Guard, McKenzie Dowrick,
Emily Bonser, Beatrice Devlyn, Maddy Collier, Ashlee Atkins, Melissa
Caulfield, Danika Pisconeri, Niamh Kelly, Emma Swanson, Belinda Smith,
Grace Kelly, Ashton Hill, Dana Hooker, Imahra Cameron, Kate Bartlett,
Mhicca Carter, Tarnee Tester, Hayley Bullas, Parris Laurie, Talia Radan,
Chantella Perera, Emily McGuire, Katherine Orme, Cassie Davidson,
Sophie McDonald, Alicia Janz.
Key player: Dana Hooker. One
of several Eagles signings poached from Fremantle, Hooker is an
ultra-reliable midfielder who won Freo's inaugural women's best and
fairest in 2017 before being named All-Australian in both 2018 and 2019.
There will be a lot of responsibility on her shoulders to lead this
inexperienced West Coast outfit.
Last season: NA
Prediction: There's
an argument to say that the talent in WA was already stretched even
before the Eagles came into the competition, which makes their task in
season one unenviable. There are a handful of experienced AFLW players
but for the most part this Eagles list is untested at the level. They
will be up against it, although McGuire and Cameron both caught the eye,
showing plenty in a practice match loss to the Tigers.
Western Bulldogs
Coach: Nathan Burke
Captain: Ellie Blackburn
Squad: Brooke
Lochland, Ellie Blackburn, Isabella Grant, Isabel Huntington, Gabby
Newton, Kirsten McLeod, Deanna Berry, Bonnie Toogood, Eleanor Brown,
Nicole Callinan, Lauren Spark, Gemma Lagioia, Celine Moody, Ellyse
Gamble, Aisling McCarthy, Naomi Ferres, Elisabeth Georgostathis, Britney
Gutknecht, Ashleigh Guest, Hannah Munyard, Bailey Hunt, Hannah Scott,
Aisling Utri, Kimberley Rennie, Nell Morris-Dalton, Danielle Marshall,
Kirsty Lamb, Amelia Van Oosterwijck, Katy Herron, Angelica Gogos.
Key player: Brooke
Lochland. It remains perhaps the best individual performance in an AFLW
game to date: Lochland's seven-goal haul against Carlton in 2018. That
showing led to Lochland winning the league's goalkicking crown that
season, as well as an All-Australian gong. But a leg injury on the eve
of last season ruled Lochland out until late in the campaign, and she
was unable to find her touch from the previous season. The Dogs will be
keen for the forward to strike gold again.
Last season: 2-5 (Last in Conference A).
The
reigning premiers won their first two matches of the season but were
thumped by North in round three and never recovered. The Dogs ended with
five losses on the trot to finish two games clear at the bottom of
their pool.
Prediction: The mid-year departure of
premiership coach Groves led to the appointment of St Kilda great Burke
despite denials for weeks that he was interested in the top job at
Whitten Oval. Having already lost Emma Kearney and Jenna Bruton to North
the previous year, the Dogs again took a hit, with co-captain Brennan
and best and fairest Conti among those to depart last year. The silver
lining was the acquisition of the No. 1 pick, used on the versatile
Newton, who should be a gun. The list already looks vastly different to
the one that won the 2018 flag, but there is still a healthy nucleus
there. Two years on from her last knee reconstruction, eyes will be
stationed on tall forward Huntington, who has also spent time behind the
ball in the pre-season.
Ladder predictions
Conference A
- North Melbourne
- Adelaide
- Richmond
- GWS
- Geelong
- Brisbane
- Gold Coast
|
Conference B
- Carlton
- Melbourne
- Fremantle
- Western Bulldogs
- Collingwood
- St Kilda
- West Coast
|
Premiers
North Melbourne
COLLINGWOOD AFLW 2020 DRAW
All Times AEDT/AEST
|
ROUND 1
Sunday February 9 1.10pm
Collingwood v West Coast
Victoria Park
TV: Fox
|
ROUND 2
Sunday February 16 3.10pm
Carlton v Collingwood
Princes Park
TV: Free to Air
|
ROUND 3
Saturday February 22 7.10pm
Fremantle v Collingwood
Fremantle Oval
TV: Free to Air
|
ROUND 4
Friday February 28 7.10pm
Collingwood v Melbourne
Victoria Park
TV: Fox
|
ROUND 5
Sunday March 8 1.10pm
Collingwood v Footscray
Morwell Recreation Reserve
TV: Fox
|
ROUND 6
Saturday March 14 3.10pm
Brisbane v Collingwood
Hickey Park
TV: Free to Air
|
ROUND 7
Sunday March 22 6.10pm
Collingwood v St Kilda
Victoria Park
TV: Fox
|
ROUND 8
Saturday March 28 3.10pm
Geelong v Collingwood
Kardinia Park
TV: Free to Air
|
SEMI-FINALS
(1) Saturday April 11
(2) Sunday April 12
Place & Time TBC
TV: Free to Air
|
GRAND-FINAL
Saturday April 18 or
Sunday April 19
Place & Time TBC
TV: Free to Air
|
