Other than the Demons, Richmond is seen as a strong Pick 1 suitor. The Tigers, who finished 16th this year, hold Picks 4 and 22 in this year’s draft.
Pick 1 is currently held by 2025 wooden spooners Gold Coast – but that selection is being openly shopped around by the club.
That’s because of the ridiculously strong crop of Suns academy prospects.
TOP OPEN POOL PROSPECTSWhile this year’s draft pool for some isn’t as deep as last year’s, the top of the class is tantalising.
The consensus among sources spoken to by foxfooty.com.au is that Oakleigh Chargers ball magnet Chloe Bown is the No. 1 open pool prospect. One source said Bown was a “pretty clear standout”.
A consistent, reliable on-baller with an incredible work ethic and ability to kick well on both feet, Bown had a near perfect draft year. She was crowned the best and fairest player of 2025 national championships and selected as All-Australian captain after steering Victoria Metro to back-to-back title wins. Her season was book-ended by a best on ground medal when representing the Australia Under 18 team against the All Stars in April and the Coates Talent League best and fairest award in September after averaging 29 disposals and six tackles per game.
It’s understood multiple clubs are keen to get their hands on Pick 1 to give them first access to a player of Bown’s quality.
The other top open pool prospect is WA star Olivia Wolmarans — an athletic and versatile 180cm goalkicker who was named at centre half-forward in this year’s Under 18 All-Australian team. Multiple sources linked Wolmarans to the Giants — who hold Picks 2 and 3 in the draft — as well as a potential bid on Sydney-tied prospect Neyland, indicating the club’s desire to draft a tall.
Another WA player expected to be taken early is exciting 173cm Peel Thunder intercept defender Evie Cowcher. Despite Cowcher being sidelined for a lot of her draft year due to back stress fractures, clubs have remained enamoured by her elite previous two seasons, which saw her win two WA MVP awards, two Under 18 All-Australian selections and the 2023 WAFLW Rising Star award.
Calder Cannons ball magnet Chloe Baker-West is another prospect expected to feature in the initial stages of this month’s draft. A prodigious ball-winner, she’s racked up some big numbers in the Coates Talent League over the past three seasons, leading to a spot in the comp’s Team of the Year in September.
One intriguing prospect is Priya Bowering – a strong, clean and powerful and midfielder who’s Tasmania’s top hope this year. Bowering starred for the Allies in the Under 18 national championships, winning the side’s MVP award and being named on the wing in the All-Australian team, before being picked in the Coates Talent League Team of the Year. She looms as a top-10 prospect, but whether the Lauderdale product is taken that early by one of the 18 clubs – considering Tasmania’s slated 2028 entry into the AFLW competition – remains to be seen.
Eastern Ranges duo Jordyn Allen – coincidentally a similar type of rebounding defender to namesake Jordyn Allen at Collingwood – and Tayla McMillan are looming as first-round contenders. Some scouts rate midfielder McMillan as a top-five prospect due to her pure football ability, while others have her towards the back-end of the first round.
Northern Knights utility Scarlett Johnson, GWV Rebels powerful midfielder Maggie Johnstone and WA pair Mia Russo and Olivia Crane are other names to watch.
The 2025 AFLW draft will be held on Monday December 15 and will be broadcast live and exclusive on Fox Footy, via Foxtel (Channel 504) and Kayo Sports.
https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/womens-afl/aflw-trade-news-rumours-whispers-2025-trade-and-draft-updates-and-dates-eden-zanker-fremantle-taylor-smith-sydney-swans-chloe-bown-gold-coast-academy-prospects/news-story/d6e2023f22a297c1cf5ebbb5289fee96
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