THE CHANGE in AFLW season timing has caught out a number of players who were hoping to return in the following season.

New mums Emily Goodsir and Ash Sharp have returned to state footy, but the step up to AFLW level off such a short turnaround may be a step too far, with both GWS and Fremantle unable to confirm at this stage if the women will return this August.

Sabreena Duffy missed the 2022 season due to work commitments and is now unlikely to return this year due to a foot operation.

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Collingwood and Gold Coast are still unsure on whether Commonwealth Games hopefuls Ash Brazill (netball) and Teagan and Maddy Levi (rugby sevens) will be available, while Pies Jordy Membrey (ACL) and Jo Lin (shoulder) will return.

Jess Allan's army commitments will once again rule the Giants ruck out for the second 2022 season, but she is keen to return in 2023, while Isadora McLeay (ACL) will also miss the rest of the year.

Jess Allan in action during the R7 clash between St Kilda and GWS on March 13, 2021. Picture: AFL Photos

The Giants have also confirmed Irishwoman Brid Stack will return for a third season if the season goes ahead in August as planned, while countrywoman and forgotten forward Yvonne Bonner remains inactive after having a baby.

Adelaide is currently in discussions with Rhiannon Metcalfe (army) and Jess Sedunary, with the latter having returned to SANFLW football following a brief foray into track cycling.

Ange Foley (ACL) will return to the AFLW for the second season of 2022, however it will be with Port Adelaide, not the Crows.

Given the AFL men's season will still be running when the new women's season begins, the AFL is unlikely to change its vaccination regulations, ruling out Deni Varnhagen and Georgia Patrikios.

St Kilda young gun Tyanna Smith is tracking well in her return from a torn ACL, and was never actually placed on the inactive list, the Saints instead choosing to run with a squad of 28 and carry both her and Patrikios.

Saints rookie Paige Price (hip) sat out her first AFLW season, and is now playing VFLW for Williamstown, while young Demon Isabella Simmons (foot) has returned to VFLW footy with Casey, as has Serena Gibbs (mental health) at Carlton.

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Lily Postlethwaite (ACL) has also been back playing QAFLW for quite some time.

Richmond said the playing status of Iilish Ross (leg) and Hannah McLaren (illness) was yet to be determined, as is the case for North Melbourne's Elisha King (ACL).

Kangaroo Elisha King at training on October 2021. Picture: AFL Photos

The Western Bulldogs will regain Gabby Newton from a double shoulder reconstruction, while they're hopeful Kirsten McLeod (concussion) will also return.

Kate Lutkins, Gabby Collingwood (Brisbane), Brit Bonnici, Bri Davey (Collingwood), Jade Pregelj (Gold Coast), Harriet Cordner, Hannah Burchell (Richmond), Rhi Watt (St Kilda) and Aurora Smith (Western Bulldogs) will miss the season due to knee reconstructions, while Renee Garing (Geelong) is nearly due with her first child.