OVER the first month of the 2026 NAB AFLW season, only four players have managed to be on the field for every minute of their first four matches.
And of that quartet, only one is not a key position player – Sydney star Zippy Fish.
Generally, the only players who manage to make it through an entire match – men's or women's – without coming to the bench are tall defenders or forwards, who have comparatively lighter running loads.
By comparison, Fish has split her time between half-back and the midfield, and not even noted extreme runner and AFLW best and fairest Ash Riddell has managed to play every minute of the opening month.
Standing alongside Fish in this elite category are North Melbourne key backs Libby Birch and Jas Ferguson, and Hawthorn key forward Aine McDonagh, who has been the Hawks' primary scoring source this year.
The second-year Swan is averaging 24.8 disposals – up from 21.2 in her Telstra AFLW Rising Star season – and 5.0 tackles.
No player managed 100 per cent game time for the entire season last year, with the top five all key backs: Harriet Cordner (99.8), Ferguson (99.6), Birch (99.4), Maddy Hendrie (98.8) and Paige Trudgeon (98.6).
Greater Western Sydney attempted to keep Zarlie Goldsworthy and Alyce Parker on the field for as long as possible in recent years, splitting their time between the forward line and the midfield. Goldsworthy finished in the top five in 2023 and 2024, and Parker in 2024.
Collingwood key back Stacey Livingstone played every minute of both her 2020 (seven matches) and 2021 (11) seasons.Â
Sydney hosts Greater Western Sydney at Henson Park on Sunday at 2.35pm AEST. Tickets available here
