LARGER list sizes are once again a discussion point within the AFLW, with sides facing a lack of player availability just one month into the season.

Geelong was required to name two top-ups as emergencies ahead of last week's win over Essendon, while Collingwood currently has nine players on its injury list.

Five of those injured Pies are tests – Mattea Breed (appendix), Ash Centra (shin), Jemma Rigoni (shin), Sarah Rowe (groin) and draftee Amy Smith (calf) – and the team needs at least three to be cleared to play in order to avoid top-ups.

West Coast also played a top-up, Lisa Steane, earlier this year.

Team lists are currently 30 active players. If there are fewer than 24 available (21 on-field and three emergencies), top-up players sourced from state leagues can be named.

New Geelong coach Mick Stinear said the Cats are confident of avoiding top-ups this week, with Zali Friswell a strong chance to pass concussion protocols, and Piper Dunlop (knee) also likely to be cleared.

"It's a good argument to have, about the depth of talent. There might not be the depth of talent there (at the moment), but if you bring it forward and bring more people onto your list, you're actually developing more talent," Stinear said.

"Financially, if we're in a position to be able to support it, it makes sense, given the number of replacement players that have been added to lists.

"If we're developing those players right from the start of pre-season, then they're going to be better prepared, and have a greater skill set and knowledge. I fully support it, and the more we're developing talent where we have the most resources, in AFLW clubs, we're going to get a better product.

"I can't speak for other clubs, but here at our program, and with the support of the whole club (we can support 32). We have 31 at the moment (inclusive of inactive Georgie Rankin), and we have train-ons who pop in once a week. We'd be well equipped to support [more]."

AFLW lists already swelled over pre-season as a number of players were called in as injury replacement players, with the greater number of practice matches moving the usual start-of-season injury rush earlier in the timeline.

Thirty players were made inactive and replaced in the months prior to the season beginning, for reasons including injury, pregnancy, mental health and unexpected retirements. 

"It'd be interesting to reflect on how many players were called up in-season. You talk about Collingwood, we've been in a similar position – if it's already happening, it probably makes sense to do it efficiently," Stinear said.

"We don't need to add another five, we understand the logistics around it. But (moving from) 30 to 32 is a good call."

After a round-one record-breaking loss to North Melbourne, Geelong has won three on the trot, with Adelaide to come on Sunday, a side the AFLW team has never beaten.

"That first round was something else, a bit of a baptism of fire, but it feels like we've found our feet since then. Some good lessons early, which is good. Still plenty of room for growth, but certainly from where we started to where we are now, I'm pleased with the group," Stinear said.

"Our stoppage and contest is tracking well, offensively, we've shown improvement. It's probably our team defence – if you look at our points against (223, 100 of which came against the Roos) – that we're going to have to sharpen up on. They all intertwine and live together, but certainly part of our game we're going to have to sharpen up on, and we're going to need to against a team like Adelaide, who are in good form, too."