AFLW holds first pre-season draft as 11 overlooked talents find new homes

Key facts

• 11 players selected in the inaugural AFLW pre-season draft on Monday night.
• Nine clubs participated; GWS Giants and West Coast each made two picks.
• Lily Quigley, 18, taken first overall by Gold Coast after starring for Brisbane's academy.
• Irish players Emma Dineen (Essendon) and Saoirse Lally (St Kilda) were selected.
• Picks determined by reverse ladder order from the 2025 season.
• Draft replaces the previous system of injury replacement signings before pre-season.
• All selected players had previously nominated for the 2025 national draft but were not picked.

A new chapter for list management

The AFL Women’s competition held its first pre-season draft on Monday night, a mechanism designed to give clubs a structured final opportunity to fill list vacancies before pre-season training begins on May 11. Eleven players were selected from a pool of athletes who had nominated for the 2025 national draft but were overlooked at that time. The pre-season draft replaces the previous ad hoc system of injury replacement signings that often saw clubs scrambling to add players on short notice. In prior years, those replacements were typically 19-year-olds who had just missed out in the draft or top-rated state league players. The new process allows clubs to have a full squad ready from the start of pre-season, a factor deemed vital for team preparation.

Quigley leads the board as top prospect

As widely anticipated, midfielder Lily Quigley was the first name called, selected by Gold Coast with pick No. 1. The 18-year-old, who stands 159 centimetres, had been a member of the GWS Giants academy before relocating to Queensland with her family. Since moving, she has played for the Brisbane Lions academy in the Talent League as an over-ager, impressing with her improved kicking and athletic profile. Quigley played for NSW/ACT in last year’s Marsh Under-18 National Championships but was not selected for the combined Allies side. Her performances this season, however, made her the clear favourite for the top pick. She is capable of playing on the wing or as a half-forward.

Giants and Eagles double dip

Greater Western Sydney and West Coast each made two selections in the draft. The Giants used picks No. 2 and No. 10 to add Maisy Evans and Sophia Gaukrodger. Evans, a tall midfielder standing around 185 centimetres, has impressed this season playing as a ruck, key forward, and inside midfielder for Bond University. Originally from Melbourne, she also has a background in rugby sevens. Gaukrodger, who played for the UTS Bats and the Giants academy, was among the overlooked talents rewarded for strong athleticism. West Coast selected Sienna Gerardi at No. 6 and Lily Smart at No. 11. Gerardi, from Swan Districts, and Smart, from Sturt, both bring speed and mobility to the Eagles’ list.

Irish talent and state league standouts find homes

Two Irish players were selected in the draft: Emma Dineen, from County Kerry, went to Essendon at pick No. 3, and Saoirse Lally, from County Mayo, was taken by St Kilda at pick No. 7. Both had previously nominated for the national draft and were available to all clubs. Noa McNaughton, overlooked in the national draft, was rewarded for her strong early-season form with East Fremantle, earning elevation to AFLW level with Fremantle at pick No. 5. Similarly, Lauren Clifton of South Adelaide was selected by Melbourne at pick No. 9 after an impressive 2025 season, providing an immediate option for the Demons.

How clubs qualified for selections

Clubs that participated in the pre-season draft either had a list spot remaining from December’s national draft or had players retire or be named inactive. Hawthorn and Gold Coast held vacancies from the earlier draft, while other clubs filled spots opened by retirements or inactive designations. Players may be ruled out for an entire season due to injury, pregnancy, mental health, or work commitments. If a player suffers a long-term injury during pre-season, clubs can still sign replacement players on an ad hoc basis up until the start of the season. This provision ensures that teams are not left short-handed despite the new structured draft.

A broader shift in AFLW list strategy

The introduction of the pre-season draft marks a significant change in how AFLW clubs finalise their rosters. By consolidating what was previously a series of individual injury-replacement signings into a single, transparent event, the league has created a more equitable system for overlooked players and clubs alike. The draft also highlights the growing international and cross-code reach of the competition, with Irish recruits and athletes from basketball and rugby backgrounds entering the talent pool. As the AFLW continues to expand, the pre-season draft is likely to become a permanent fixture, offering a second chance for players who narrowly missed out on the main draft.

The bottom line

• The inaugural AFLW pre-season draft selected 11 players, replacing the previous ad hoc injury replacement system.
• Lily Quigley was the No. 1 pick, moving from GWS academy to Gold Coast via Brisbane Lions academy.
• GWS and West Coast each made two selections; nine clubs participated overall.
• Irish players Emma Dineen and Saoirse Lally were drafted by Essendon and St Kilda respectively.
• State league standouts Noa McNaughton and Lauren Clifton earned AFLW spots after being overlooked in the national draft.
• The draft provides a structured final opportunity for clubs to fill list spots before pre-season begins May 11.