WELCOME to The 25.

AFL.com.au's rolling list of the top players is back for the AFLW season, where we will rank the best of the best in the women's comp every month throughout the year.

The criteria is simple – if every player in the competition was fully fit and lined up against a wall right now, who would you pick first? Multiple members of the AFL.com.au team did exactly that, with our overall consensus forming the final list.

The back-to-back Premiers North Melbourne, along with Melbourne and Sydney, have the greatest number of players selected with three each, whilst Port Adelaide, Carlton, Brisbane and Geelong have two.

All but three clubs are represented in the initial list, with Collingwood, Essendon and the Gold Coast the only sides to miss out.

Unlucky to miss the initial selection of players include two players from the west: West Coast Eagles co-captain Charlie Thomas (no.26) and new Dockers recruit Eden Zanker (no.27) . Also just missing was new Saints skipper Serene Watson, former comp best and fairest winner Ally Anderson, and Hawks youngster Jas Fleming, who rounded out numbers 28 to 30 respectively.

The Western Bulldogs co-captain has become one of the game’s premier midfielders in recent seasons. With a booming left-foot kick and the number four on her back, there’s no wonder Pritchard gets compared with her club’s AFL skipper, Marcus Bontempelli. The past two years, Pritchard has gone to the next level individually, winning her club’s best and fairest in 2024 and was last year named in the All-Australian squad. At just 24 years of age, the future is looking bright for this Bulldog.

When you think of exciting young players, Sophie McKay would have to be one of the first to come to mind. This Carlton forward took the competition by storm in her first season with her signature snaps and celebrations. In her first season in the competition, McKay kicked the most goals for her club and finished equal 10th on the goal kicking tally for the competition with 18 across the season. This McKay is just getting started, she’s going to be fun to watch for many years to come.

Not many players get their hands on the footy more than Sydney midfielder Laura Gardiner. In fact only one player averages more disposals per game, and that’s AFLW competition best-and-fairest Ash Riddell. Gardiner has an exceptional running capacity and ability to find herself in the right place at the right time. The Swan last year averaged 31.7 disposals per match, and leads her side in clearances (3.8), contested (14.3) and uncontested (17.6) possessions.

Fitzpatrick was one of the big improvers in the 2025 season. Coming back from an ACL suffered in 2023, the Irish-woman came back stronger and faster than ever. Known for her speed and agility, Fitzpatrick can break lines and kick goals. Fitzpatrick was recognised for her outstanding season when she was named in last year’s All-Australian squad.

Tahau surprised the competition last year when she became the competition’s leading goal kicker, drawing equal with North Melbourne’s Blaithin Bogue. The former Lion switched from defence to attack in season 2025 in a move that paid remarkable dividends. To put it in context, last year Tahau kicked 25 goals. Before last year, the most Tahau had kicked in a season was three. The Power forward was awarded with her first All Australian blazer in 2025 in recognition of her rise. 

This young Giant had a breakout year in 2023 when she was awarded the competition’s Rising Star award. The now two-time club best and fairest has spent more time in the Giants’ midfield in recent seasons where she averaged 21.2 disposals and 3.4 clearances a game in 2025. Coming into just her fifth season, this 21-year-old shows plenty of upside and promise and is the future of the Giants. 

A mature-head behind the ball for Melbourne, Chaplin is one of the competition’s best medium-sized defenders. Chaplin reads the play brilliantly, and makes cool and calm decisions when moving the ball out of defence. Chaplin in recent seasons has become one of the most important players at the Demons, providing leadership and stability in defence. Chaplin last season was ranked fourth in the competition for total intercept possessions and was recognised with her first All-Australian blazer.

Fish is another of the young stars who emerged in the competition last season. Playing off half-back for the Swans, Fish played with a presence beyond her years, disposing of the ball with a calm head and composure of someone with far greater experience. Fish was named last year’s Rising Star winner and was selected in the recent Australia v Ireland match where she scored the first goal. Fish averaged 7.8 rebound 50s in her first season and 21.2 disposals at an outstanding 74 per cent efficiency.

Hodder has achieved so much in her career, it’s hard to believe this Lion is still just 26 years of age. The Brisbane forward is an excitement machine, providing highlights across the ground. This star has won two premierships, Mark of the Year, Goal of the Year and was last season selected in her first All Australian team. In 2025, Hodder had her highest disposal count of her career, averaging 15 disposals, six tackles and a goal a game.

The competition’s premier key forward, this two-time premiership player who last season clocked 100 games continues is one of the smartest attacking players in the business. Known for her outstanding marking ability, Randall can take a huge contested mark, or mark on a lead. The Kangaroo was one of the best players in the recent Australia v Ireland match, kicking a game-high four goals. The former Lion is key to North Melbourne’s success.

Moloney is your typical Irish forward who can make something out of nothing, whether that be kicking a goal from an impossible angle or over her head, Moloney is a star for the Cats. The Geelong forward was the competition’s leading goal kicker in 2024 alongside now-Swan Taylor Smith. The Cat was slightly down on her output in 2025, but will be looking to get back to her best this season.

One of the game’s best rucks, Strom is just as effective when she brings the ball to ground. Strom last season averaged 19.3 disposals and 5.4 clearances showing her athleticism and versatility. The two-time All-Australian was recognised for her leadership this season, named in the Dockers’ leadership group for the first time in her 74-game career.

Tawhiao-Wardlaw is a star for the Saints. The key forward averages a competition-best two contested marks per game and 4.8 marks overall. The St Kilda spearhead has kicked 83 goals in her 84 game career. This season will be her fourth at Moorabbin since crossing over from Brisbane in 2022 (S7). Earlier this year Tawhiao-Wardlaw signed a one-year contract extension to remain at the Saints until at least 2027.

This energiser bunny brings tackle pressure, grunt and heart to the Brisbane midfield. A fan-favourite, Dawes gives her all at every opportunity, leading from the front in the Lions' midfield brigade. Dawes averages 5.9 tackles and 20.3 disposals for Brisbane, whilst leading her side for pressure acts (18.7).

McDonagh is one of the most dangerous forwards inside 50 in the air and on the ground, with outstanding marking ability and speed to burn when the ball hits the ground. The Irish-woman is super smart and crafty up forward, which led to McDonagh having the most scoring shots in the competition last season. The left-footer had a career-best season in 2025, being named All-Australian for the first time and winning the Hawks best and fairest.

One of the classiest ball-users in the competition, Hanks has silky skills and composure that makes her stand out from her peers. Hanks has an outstanding resume, winning the 2021 Rising Star before going on to be named a three-time All-Australian and club best and fairest winner twice. Last year was a career-best for Hanks in terms of disposals (23) and tackles (6.9). With midfield teammate Liv Purcell set to return this season, the midfield combination of those two and captain Kate Hore will be one of the competition’s best.

Molloy is a classy forward who can change games. Last season Molloy kicked an AFLW record-equalling seven goals against Gold Coast. The Swan averaged 2.1 goals per game last season, her best output for her career to date. Also a former Rising Star (2018), Molloy has been named in the All-Australian squad on three occasions. A smart footballer, Molloy could play across any line and succeed.

After finishing second in the AFLW competition Best and Fairest award last season, this smooth-mover with excellent vision and hands will be looking to take her game to the next level this season. Prespakis led the competition for clearances in 2025 and earned herself her second All-Australian blazer. The young midfielder suffered a throat injury in the Australian v Ireland match, but looks to be set to go come round one.

The 2024 AFLW competition best and fairest winner is one of the most consistent and reliable players the competition has ever seen. Marinoff is a three-time premiership player and seven-time All-Australian. highlighting the impact she has had on the AFLW since its inception. A hard working, in-and-under-mid Marinoff is a leader of the Crows midfield and will be even more important at the Crows without Anne Hatchard (traded to Gold Coast) and Chelsea Randall (retired).

This Richmond midfielder has one of the best resumes the game has ever seen. A premiership player, a competition best and fairest winner, a five-time All-Australian and eight-time club best and fairest winner, Conti has done it all. A classy mid who can find time and space to execute her elite skills, Conti is one of the game’s best players who at just 26 years of age shows no signs of slowing down.

Scholz is arguably the most athletic tall currently in the game. The Power ruck can take mark of the year, kick goals from the boundary and win clearances, with her versatility and athleticism planting her firmly in the upper echelon of the competition. Strong, powerful and agile, very few can match Scholz both in the ruck and around the ground. After just three years in the competition, the 21-year-old has already won Mark of the Year, two club best-and-fairests, been selected in the 2025 All-Australian side and won the 2024 Telstra Rising Star. Her elite skill and vivacious nature also makes her one of the most recognisable figures in the comp.

Is she a forward or is she a midfielder? It doesn't really matter, because Ella Roberts can do it all. Widely regarded as one of the brightest young stars in the competition, Roberts is both a contested ball beast and an aerial threat, patrolling both the air and ground level with aplomb. Already a dual All-Australian at just 21 years old, Roberts is not only a star of the future but an elite player in the present. Averaging 23.8 disposals, 7.3 tackles and 3.8 clearances, expect Roberts to only go from strength to strength as her young Eagles rise.

No one wins as much of the footy as Ash Riddell. Crowned the comp's best and fairest winner after the 2025 season, Riddell broke her own disposal record three times last season, ultimately setting a new record of 45. Riddell's elite consistency week-in week-out is a hallmark of her game, averaging 35.5 disposals per game last season. A five-time All-Australian and dual premiership player, Riddell's rise to one of the competition's premier midfielders is all the more remarkable considering she was overlooked in two drafts before being picked up by the Roos ahead of the 2019 season. 

One of the competition's best medium forwards, Kate Hore has quickly become one of the competition's most dangerous midfielders as the Dees have evolved over the years. Dynamic, damaging and all-heart, Hore regularly gets the Dees out of trouble during games, and has led with quiet confidence and competence off-field as the Dees navigated life without Daisy Pearce and now Mick Stinear. Her elite goalkicking sense is still as strong as ever despite spending more time in the guts, averaging 1.6 goals and 21.3 disposals per game and being named vice-captain in her fourth All-Australian selection in 2025.

Was it ever in doubt? The skipper of the competition's best team, Jasmine Garner topped the list of every person who contributed to The 25. The 32-year-old, who recently captained Australia in the representative match against Ireland, is widely regarded as being the comp's best player even if she's historically been underrepresented at awards nights. Garner is an eight-time All-Australian (including captain in 2025), three-time AFLCA Champion Player of the Year (2020, 2022 S7, 2023) and dual premiership player who simply does things others can't. In a team stacked with talent, Garner consistently is the difference for the Roos with her ball-winning ability and knack for sneaking forward and kicking goals. After averaging 27.3 disposals and 1.3 goal per game in 2025, who knows what 2026 could look like if Garner finds yet another level.