Long article on the ex-AFLW/VFLW coach at EFC.
My daughter played with Kirby in the nationals at Cairns in 2013 and the first 2 Melbourne V Footscray games at the G . @bomber3232 and I were on baby sitting duties
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her number was 32 . Kirby’s was 23 ,This post is #3322. I like numbers. Kirby was a fan of Andrew Macleod of Adelaide.
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Bloody hell!
Wow, amazing surgery. Great it has worked for her.
Bwahahaha, Tiggers are 0-4 and in the next five weeks get Geelong + Bears + Crows + Norf.
(and the Saints)
At the local footy but on the radio the Port folk are going troppo over the umpiring today. Apparently a shocker of a decision for a deliberate rushed behind to give Geelong the win
Yeah, called that at the time. The Port player was desperately trying to stop it going over the line to tie up the score. Ump had a good side-on view and it was a straight-out bizarre call. A draw without the extra five points.
LOL @ Grok. I honestly don’t know if some of these best-of-the-best players are hallucinations, and I certainly don’t recall us not poaching Prespakis from Collingwood.
Best AFLW Players by State of Origin
Determining the “best” AFLW players by state of origin is subjective, but I’ve based this on recent All-Australian selections (particularly the 2024 team), club best-and-fairest awards, premiership contributions, and expert rankings from sources like AFL.com.au and ESPN. State of origin is determined by where players developed their junior football (typically ages 13-17). I’ve focused on the top 3-5 standout players per major state, prioritizing current elite performers as of 2025. Players from smaller states/territories (e.g., Tasmania, Northern Territory) are grouped under “Other” for brevity.
State/Territory Top Players Key Achievements Victoria (Vic Metro/Country) Jasmine Garner (North Melbourne) Monique Conti (Melbourne) Ebony Marinoff (Adelaide)* Madison Prespakis (Collingwood) Emily Bates (Hawthorn) Garner: 7x All-Australian (2024 captain), 2024 premiership hero. Conti: 2x best-and-fairest winner, 5x All-Australian. Marinoff: 7x All-Australian (2024 vice-captain), 2024 best-and-fairest. Prespakis: 3x All-Australian, 2023 club B&F. Bates: 4x All-Australian, 2024 Hawthorn captain. Queensland Ally Anderson (Brisbane) Taylor Smith (Brisbane) Breanna Koenen (Brisbane) Chelsea Zander (Brisbane) Nat Grider (Brisbane) Anderson: 5x All-Australian, 2024 Brisbane co-B&F. Smith: 2x All-Australian, 2024 leading goalkicker (24 goals). Koenen: 3x All-Australian, defensive leader. Zander: 2024 All-Australian, breakout midfielder. Grider: 2x All-Australian, versatile defender. South Australia Anne Hatchard (Adelaide) Chelsea Randall (Adelaide) Caitlin Gould (Adelaide) Teague Berry (Adelaide) Steph Hudson (Adelaide) Hatchard: 4x All-Australian, 2023 club B&F. Randall: 6x All-Australian, Adelaide captain. Gould: 2x All-Australian, 2024 leading goalkicker for Crows. Berry: 2024 All-Australian squad, rising star. Hudson: Consistent forward, 2024 premiership contributor. Western Australia Emma O’Driscoll (Fremantle) Kiara Bowers (Fremantle) Gabby O’Sullivan (Fremantle) Rougean Hayden (West Coast) Janelle Hewson (Fremantle) O’Driscoll: 4x All-Australian, Fremantle captain. Bowers: 3x All-Australian, 2022 Fremantle B&F. O’Sullivan: Speedy forward, 2x All-Australian. Hayden: 2024 All-Australian squad, West Coast leader. Hewson: 2024 All-Australian, intercept defender. New South Wales/ACT Ella Roberts (West Coast) Chloe Molloy (Sydney) Britt Tully (GWS) Caitlyn Sutton (GWS) Rebecca Beeson (GWS) Roberts: 2x All-Australian, 2024 wing standout. Molloy: 3x All-Australian, Sydney leading goalkicker. Tully: Veteran leader, GWS B&F contender. Sutton: Consistent forward, 2024 squad member. Beeson: Midfield engine, multiple club awards. Other (Tasmania, NT, Ireland imports) Ash Riddell (North Melbourne - TAS) Jessie Wardlaw (North Melbourne - TAS) Malupi Peteru (Kangaroos - NT) Aisling McCarthy (Fremantle - Ireland) Aishling Moloney (Melbourne - Ireland) Riddell: 4x All-Australian, 2024 North B&F. Wardlaw: 3x All-Australian, Tasmanian spearhead. Peteru: Rising NT talent, 2024 premiership player. McCarthy: 2024 All-Australian, Irish import defender. Moloney: 2024 All-Australian, equal leading goalkicker (25 goals). *Note: Marinoff developed in Victoria but is often associated with SA due to her Adelaide tenure; origin rules confirm VIC. This list emphasizes active players with recent impact (2023-2025 seasons). For a deeper dive, check AFL.com.au stats or All-Australian archives.
It gets better if you hit the “Think Harder” button… but still some boneheaded references, especially for EFC Tasmanians!
Victoria
Victoria remains the dominant state for AFLW talent, producing versatile midfielders and forwards who lead the competition. Top current players include:
- Jasmine Garner (North Melbourne) – Seven-time All-Australian, consistent performer with elite game sense, premiership player, and new captain.
- Ash Riddell (North Melbourne) – Prolific ball-winner averaging 29.3 disposals, four-time All-Australian, key in premiership success.
- Monique Conti (Richmond) – Six-time All-Australian, league best and fairest winner, averages nearly 28 disposals with elite speed and vision.
- Ellie Blackburn (Western Bulldogs) – Premiership captain, averaged 24 disposals before injury, named among Bulldogs’ greatest players.
- Chloe Molloy (Sydney) – Forward/midfielder, recovered from ACL, known for class and goal-kicking ability.
- Maddy Prespakis (Essendon) – Multiple All-Australian, young star midfielder.
- Georgie Prespakis (Geelong) – Premier midfielder, all-Australian contender with goal-kicking prowess.
- Kate Hore (Melbourne) – Club captain, consistent utility player.
- Bonnie Toogood (Essendon) – Leading goal-kicker, versatile forward.
- Amy McDonald (Geelong) – Tackling specialist, strong midfielder.
South Australia
SA boasts a strong defensive and midfield contingent, with many starring for Adelaide. Standout current players:
- Ebony Marinoff (Adelaide) – 2024 AFLW best and fairest, record-breaking disposals and tackles, seven-time All-Australian.
- Chelsea Biddell (Adelaide) – Elite defender, leads in intercepts, key to low goal efficiency conceded.
- Anne Hatchard (Adelaide) – All-Australian, versatile utility with strong contested work.
- Sarah Allan (Adelaide) – Top defender, multiple All-Australian.
- Zoe Prowse (Adelaide) – Promising ruck/defender.
- Teah Charlton (Adelaide) – Young midfielder, high-potential.
- Caitlin Gould (Adelaide) – Key forward/ruck, consistent goal-kicker.
- Eloise Jones (Adelaide) – Speedy forward/midfielder.
- Madison Newman (Adelaide) – Wing specialist, reliable contributor.
- Chloe Scheer (Geelong) – Forward, known for goal-scoring.
Western Australia
WA players excel in physical roles, with rucks and defenders prominent. Key current players:
- Ella Roberts (West Coast) – Young gun midfielder, first All-Australian at 19, club champion.
- Mim Strom (Fremantle) – Dominant ruck, league leader in hitouts, All-Australian, club best and fairest.
- Emma O’Driscoll (Fremantle) – Key defender, two-time All-Australian, tops intercepts.
- Kiara Bowers (Fremantle) – Tackling record-holder, best and fairest winner.
- Chelsea Randall (Adelaide) – Multiple All-Australian, premiership captain.
- Hayley Miller (Fremantle) – Club captain, strong midfielder.
- Sophie McDonald (West Coast) – Key defender.
- Roxanne Roux (Fremantle) – Tall forward.
- Dana East (Fremantle) – Forward contributor.
- Isabella Lewis (West Coast) – Midfielder, high games played.
Queensland
QLD’s growing talent pool features midfielders and forwards from Brisbane and Gold Coast. Top current players:
- Ally Anderson (Brisbane) – AFLW best and fairest winner, consistent midfielder.
- Charlie Rowbottom (Gold Coast) – Two-time club champion, hard-working midfielder (developed in QLD, born NSW but associated here).
- Dakota Davidson (Brisbane) – Key forward, premiership player.
- Belle Dawes (Brisbane) – Rising midfielder.
- Isabel Dawes (Brisbane) – Midfielder, Indigenous star.
- Lily Postlethwaite (Gold Coast) – Midfielder/forward.
- Shannon Campbell (Brisbane) – Defender.
- Jade Ellenger (Brisbane) – Speedy wing.
- Courtney Hodder (Brisbane) – Small forward, developed in QLD.
New South Wales
NSW’s emerging stars include young midfielders and defenders from Sydney and GWS. Notable current players:
- Charlie Rowbottom (Gold Coast) – Powerhouse midfielder, two-time club champion.
- Zarlie Goldsworthy (GWS) – Young forward/midfielder, high goal tally.
- Ally Morphett (Sydney) – Promising ruck.
- Tarni Evans (GWS) – Defender.
- Jessica Doyle (GWS) – Forward.
- Cynthia Hamilton (GWS) – Midfielder.
- Brodee Mowbray (GWS) – Utility.
- Ella Heads (Sydney) – Defender.
Tasmania
Tasmania’s players are building with the new Devils team, focusing on midfield and defence. Key current players:
- Mia King (North Melbourne) – Consistent midfielder.
- Ellie Gavalas (North Melbourne) – Midfielder.
- Daria Bannister (Essendon) – Forward.
- Brooke Brown (Gold Coast) – Defender.
- Ellyse Gamble (Western Bulldogs) – Defender.
- Jess Wuetschner (Essendon) – Forward.
- Nicole Bresnehan (North Melbourne) – Defender.
Northern Territory
NT produces tough Indigenous talent, often forwards. Standout current players:
- Danielle Ponter (Adelaide) – Star forward, prolific goal-kicker with 59 games and 66 goals.
- Stevie-Lee Thompson (Adelaide) – Speedy forward, 75 games and 24 goals.
- Ange Foley (Port Adelaide) – Midfielder, 61 games.
- Janet Baird (Port Adelaide) – Forward.
- Ashanti Bush (Port Adelaide) – Young forward.
- Jasmyn Hewett (Gold Coast) – Utility.
- Mattea Breed (Hawthorn) – Versatile player.
Australian Capital Territory
ACT’s smaller pool features solid utilities and defenders. Top current players:
- Hannah Dunn (Port Adelaide) – Defender, club leader with 25 games.
- Britt Tully (GWS) – Midfielder, 29 games.
- Jodie Hicks (Richmond) – Utility, 20 games.
- Rhiannon Metcalfe (Adelaide) – Ruck, 26 games.
- Jacqueline Parry (Geelong) – Forward, 15 games.
- Maddie Shevlin (Richmond) – Defender, 13 games.
- Cynthia Hamilton (GWS) – Midfielder (also associated
Do we have too ?
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What happened in the last three weeks?
Bomber Girls were flying and the wings have dropped off. Any chance it has anything to do with the Zac saga ?
I watched most of the games and confidence and skill has collapsed, what am I missing ?
We had soft opponents in the first three weeks.
GWS - Were dead last until they knocked off the Dogs last week.
Eagles - We just won against a very hot and cold side that’s still developing
Tigers - Struggled to pull away from them. They are 0-5 to start the year.
There are injuries, mainly to our defenders, but the forward line is again proving to be garbage against better defences.
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Geelong leads Hawthorn 32-16 early in the 3rd quarter.
Hawks have come back. Ten minutes left in the final quarter. Hawthorn lead by 6 points.
UPDATE: Geelong choke job again. Hawthorn win by 7 points.
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Georgie come home.
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The Georgie and Georgia Show in her last two finals with us (at 18yo, with Georgia about to win her first Lambert-Pearce Medal):
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5 posts were merged into an existing topic: AFLW 2025 - non-Essendon matches
THE SOLUTION to squads of 30?
Yeah nah.
I can’t even work out if they’ve jammed two totally different concepts together in this article.
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