FORGET about the first-year guns, former No.1 picks Ash Centra and Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner are still eligible to take out the 2026 Telstra AFLW Rising Star.

Players are eligible for the award if they were under the age of 21 on 1 January this year, and have played 10 or fewer games before round one. Previous winners are also ineligible.

Of the players joining the league in 2026, midfielders Sunny Lappin (Gold Coast), Chloe Bown (Adelaide) and Maggie Johnstone (Essendon) are a chance to be among the front-runners, while Richmond second-year midfielder Sierra Grieves is also still eligible.

Players nominated last year who could earn a second nod are Centra and Western Bulldogs midfielder Sarah Poustie, with Kaitlyn Srhoj having earned the same achievement in 2024 and 2025.

Matilda Scholz won the award in 2024 after previously being nominated in 2023.

Note: Eligible but inactive players have not been included in the below lists.

Best chance: Chloe Bown

Pick No.5 in last year's draft from the mighty Oakleigh Chargers, Bown is a genuine ball-winner who runs out all four quarters. Uses the ball beautifully, and there's midfield spots on offer at the Crows after the departure of Anne Hatchard and Brooke Boileau.

Eligible: Alicia Blizzard, Chloe Bown, Jemmika Douglas, Olivia Gorman, Juliet Kelly, Ava Stewart, Alice Tentye, Lucy Waye

Best chance: Marlo Graham

Looks set to play some matches for the Lions this year, in one of the most difficult sides to break into. A well-rounded midfielder with great leadership capacity, she has neat skills and makes good choices with ball in hand. Rania Crozier could snare a nomination with a big game in front of goal, while Claudia Wright could get busy on the wing.

Eligible: Lilly Baker, Rania Crozier, Madison Evans, Asher Fearn-Wannan, Marlo Graham, Meg Lappin, Sophie Peters, Claudia Wright

Best chance: Tayla McMillan

After last year's star double act of Sophie McKay and Poppy Scholz, the eligibility cupboard is fairly small for Carlton in 2026. Eastern Ranges midfielder McMillan looks destined to start life on a flank at AFLW level, and has particularly sharp skills. Meg Robertson is technically eligible but is battling glandular fever. 

Eligible: Lily Baxter, Lou-Lou Field, Tayla McMillan, Meg Robertson

Best chance: Ash Centra

Incredibly, former No.1 pick Centra is still eligible to win the whole thing, having only played eight games last year due to a calf injury. Of the new batch of players, No.8 pick Imogen Trengove is a chance to pick up a nomination, while half-forward Mischa Barwin might catch the eye at some point.

Eligible: Josie Bamford, Mischa Barwin, Ellie Brady, Charlotte Brewer, Ash Centra, Georgia Knight, Zara Neuwirth, Amy Smith, Imogen Trengove 

Best chance: Maggie Johnstone

Grace Belloni is another second-year player who is in the mix for the award, with last season cut short because of a leg injury, but the Bombers have been raving about the impact of tall inside midfielder Johnstone. The Warrnambool product has a booming kick and holds her own around the contest. Emily Gough could pinch a nomination with a big game in front of goal.

Eligible: Grace Belloni, Nalu Brothwell, Taya Chambers, Emily Gough, Maggie Johnstone, Madi Ibrahim, Sophie Strong

Best chance: Mia Anderson

Ball-winner Anderson was selected with pick No.46 in last year's draft, but has impressed over pre-season to put her name in the mix for senior selection from an early date. The Tasmanian can also play in attack, where her strength in the contest comes to the fore. Defender Charli Hazelhurst is another who could earn a nomination.

Eligible: Mia Anderson, Matilda Banfield, Monique Bessen, Holly Egan, Charli Hazelhurst, Noa McNaughton, Evie Parker, Indi West

Best chance: Priya Bowering

You can toss a coin between Geelong's first two draft picks from last year, Bowering and rebound defender Evie Cowcher, with both likely to make an impact this season. Tasmanian Bowering is a powerful player through the middle of the field, while Cowcher reads the play beautifully across half-back, but nominations often favour midfielders. Key back Lexi Gregor and key forward Chantal Mason should play plenty of footy, too.

Eligible: Priya Bowering, Alissa Brook, Evie Cowcher, Lexi Gregor, Chantal Mason, Renee Morgan, Bryde O'Rourke, Sienna Tallariti 

Best chance: Sunny Lappin

By far the deepest field of any club – thanks to its generous hauls of club academy picks over the past two years – there's a strong chance the Suns dominate the nominations this year. Lappin's improvement over the last 18 months has been meteoric, and she's got an uncanny ability to find space and time where few can. Key forwards Dekota Baron and Georja Davies should play quite a few games, as should midfielder-forwards Ava Usher, Alannah Welsh and Lily Quigley.

Eligible: Dekota Baron, Georja Davies, Tara Harrington, Rhianna Ingram, Sunny Lappin, Sienna McMullen, Nyalli Milne, Mikayla Nurse, Bronte Parker, Lily Quigley, Heidi Talbot, Ava Usher, Alannah Welsh

Best chance: Kiera Yerbury

Set to line up on the wing this year, the No.3 pick from cross-town rivals Sydney's academy is likely to play most games this year. Yerbury came into pre-season and took out the Giants' time trial at just 18, and while earmarked for an outside role, made her name as an inside midfielder at under-18 level. Keep your eye on Maisy Evans in the ruck, a powerful prospect who was playing as an inside mid for Bond Uni.

Eligible: Georgia Clark, Maisy Evans, Sophia Gaukrodger, Yasmeen Janschek, Kiera Yerbury 

Best chance: Daisy Flockart

The young Hawks are growing up and don't have too many in the eligible category this year. Elli Symonds has had a delayed start to the season with a foot complaint, Grace Baba and Lavinia Cox haven't locked in a regular spot, but Flockart has starred this pre-season. Look for a breakout season from the second-year midfielder.

Eligible: Mikaylah Antony, Grace Baba, Lavinia Cox, Annabelle Embelton, Daisy Flockart, Elli Symonds

Best chance: Jordyn Allen

The Demons have the equal-fewest number of eligible players of any club, and all three are yet to debut. Allen is a highly competitive half-back who doesn't shy away from a contest, should adjust to the pace of AFLW with ease, and uses the ball nicely. Jacinta Hose is set to play major ruck minutes in the first half of the season in the absence of the injured Lauren Pearce, but hasn't played any footy for two and a half years.

Eligible: Jordyn Allen, Amelia Dethridge, Jacinta Hose

Best chance: Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner

Another shock eligible player, the No.1 pick from 2023 only managed eight games over her two seasons with the Western Bulldogs, having been well and truly out of favour at the Kennel. Looks likely to line up at half-back with North Melbourne, if she manages to push through for selection. 

Eligible: Claire Mahony, Shauna McElligott, Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner

Best chance: Sophie Eaton

One of the best ball users in last year's draft group, Eaton looks set to play at half-back and push onto the wing if needed. Makes smart choices with ball in hand, and reads the play well. Third-year Lauren Young is also still eligible after a few years of injury, and looks set to have a big season as a marking target at centre-half forward.

Eligible: Lucy Boyd, Olivia Crane, Sophie Eaton, Jasmine Evans, Chloe Gaunt, Grace Parsons, Lauren Young

Best chance: Sierra Grieves

Had an outstanding debut season, and is still eligible by dint of not breaking into the side until round three, as well as a managed out. A hard-running midfielder who isn't afraid of the bigger bodies, and uses the ball well by foot. No.1 pick and key forward Olivia Wolmarans is another Tiger to watch in the Rising Star nominations.

Eligible: Sierra Grieves, Zoe Hargreaves, Baia Pugh, Georgia Stubs, Olivia Wolmarans

Best chance: Sophie Butterworth

Now in her third season, but only managed six games in her previous two seasons at Hawthorn. The key forward looks set for big minutes in her new colours, and has particularly strong hands overhead. Jade McLay was the Saints' first pick last year, but has had an injury-interrupted pre-season.

Eligible: Sophie Butterworth, Carys D'Addario, Abby Hobson, Maya Louvell-Finn, Jade McLay, Chelsea Sutton 

Best chance: Maddie Quinn

Drafted as a ruck from Sydney's academy, but has impressed as a key forward over pre-season, and the Swans are light-on for talls at both ends of the field. Stands at 187cm, but is particularly clean at ground level for her height. Yet-to-debut winger Imogen Brown is another who has impressed over winter training, while key forward Amelia Martin (hamstring) will have a delayed start to the season.

Eligible: Imogen Brown, Emma Juneja, Amelia Martin, Maddie Quinn, Molly Thomas, Indi Williams

Best chance: Sienna Gerardi

You could throw a blanket over the Eagles' draftees, but Gerardi has a particular eye-catching quality that could work in her favour with Rising Star selectors. A dangerous small forward with excellent goal sense, she was picked up in the pre-season draft after devoting this season entirely to football, rather than splitting it with basketball as she had the year prior.

Eligible: Natasha Entwistle, Sienna Gerardi, Lily Paterson, Mia Russo, Jovie Skewes-Clinton, Ella Slocombe 

Best chance: Sarah Poustie

Second-year midfielder Poustie only knows one way – and that's straight through the pack. Just squeaks in as eligible, having played the maximum 10 games last year. Half-back Mizuki Brothwell should also get some senior games this year, and is particularly dynamic moving the ball out of defence. 

Eligible: Brooke Barwick, Mizuki Brothwell, Charlie O'Connor Moreira, Sarah Poustie, Amaia Wain