Where your club is at ahead of the Sign and Trade Period

AS THE expansion player movement heats up and the NAB AFLW Draft is on the horizon, clubs are well and truly into list management mode.

For some, that final piece of the puzzle could be all that's needed to take that next step, while others are looking at a deeper list overhaul.

Life's looking pretty good at Adelaide, having won its third flag in six seasons. It remains to be seen how many players the Crows will lose to new cross-town rival Port Adelaide. Ange Foley has effectively already been covered by Chelsea Biddell, given her injury-induced absence this year, but replacing Erin Phillips is a little harder. The Crows have enough midfield depth to cover both her and Justine Mules there, but may need to look for a marking tall in attack.

Confirmed list departures: Ange Foley, Justine Mules and Erin Phillips (committed to Port Adelaide)

The Lions are well set-up for the long term, with a young core of players and strong depth on every line. The one issue they do have is the lack of a tall key back, particularly given 33-year-old Kate Lutkins will miss the upcoming season with a torn ACL. Brisbane generally adapted quite well to Lutkins' absence this season, but were occasionally caught out by a key forward.

Confirmed list departures:

Trade periods have been tough of late, with the midfield and forward lines particularly hard hit. The attacking half needs immediate attention, having struggled at times due to a lack of talls in 2022, and having now lost Georgia Gee to Essendon with Nicola Stevens expected to cross to St Kilda. An older midfielder would also help matters, with the young core now exposed anew following Maddy Prespakis' move to the Bombers and Grace Egan's Richmond trade request.

Confirmed list departures: Georgia Gee, Maddy Prespakis (committed to Essendon), Grace Egan (requested trade to Richmond)

Once again, Collingwood has finished a season with question marks over its forward line. The connection between the forwards and midfielders was an issue at times, and the Pies have now lost Sophie Alexander to the Bombers. Brit Bonnici and Bri Davey (ACLs) are confirmed outs, with Jordy Membrey (ACL) and Jo Lin (shoulder) set to return. Another midfielder may be required to help plug a few gaps.

Confirmed list departures: Sophie Alexander (committed to Essendon)

It was another powerful campaign from Fremantle, just falling short in the preliminary final. The Dockers had a fairly well-rounded squad and were able to cover the absence of key back Janelle Cuthbertson for the majority of the season, but the loss of key forward Gemma Houghton (Port Adelaide) and winger Steph Cain (Essendon) will hurt.

Confirmed list departures: Ann McMahon, Tiah Toth (delisted), Jasmin Stewart (stepping away), Steph Cain (committed to Essendon), Gemma Houghton (committed to Port Adelaide)

The Cats took a number of steps forward in 2022, but still remain off the pace of the finalists. Scoring has long been an issue for Geelong, and 36-year-old Phoebe McWilliams was once again its leading goalkicker. Dan Lowther's side did well in contested work, but the next step is using the ball well on the outside and connecting with forwards, so a pacey winger could be handy.

Confirmed list departures: Danielle Higgins (retired)

The Suns are another side on the rise, and were still in finals contention in the last few rounds of the season. Jade Pregelj won't play due to a torn ACL, so support is needed in the key back stocks, while it remains to be seen if the Levi sisters (rugby commitments) are available. The Suns were strong in the contest, but struggled with retention, averaging 196 disposals a game, the third-lowest in the competition.