Last year saw North Melbourne claim the elusive title - the first flag won by an expansion side - as the Kangaroos defeated Brisbane by 30 points last November.
The Roos, Lions and perennial contenders Adelaide are expected to once again be around the mark in 2025, while Geelong - a club featuring three Goulburn Valley products - is also expected to rise to the challenge.
The Cats boast the talent of Alexis Gregor (Moama), Juliet Crocker-Grills (Kyabram) and Becky Webster (Benalla), with the latter placing fourth in the club’s 2024 best and fairest count.
As the 10th rendition of the women’s league arrives, the AFL has fixtured the first clash of the inaugural AFLW season to kick off the 2025 campaign, naming Carlton to host Collingwood at IKON Park on Thursday night.
Shepparton United export Keeley Skepper is expected to line-up for the Blues after featuring in all but two games last year, averaging 11 disposals and three tackles as a pressure forward.
Shepparton product Grace Egan will hit the ground running for the Tigers on Friday night against the Swans, however the news is less positive for Egan’s sister and recent draftee, Holly Egan.
The Fremantle recruit ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee in the final days of pre-season, leaving the Shepparton United and Swans junior sidelined for 12 months.
“Football can be a tough sport at times, especially with Holly being a draftee,” Dockers Head of AFLW Claire Heffernan said.
“She has already made a significant impact on the group, not only with her football ability but also the connections she has made with her teammates and staff since arriving here.
“We are naturally all devastated for Holly and will do everything we can to support her during her recovery from this injury, which she will attack with the same tenacity and determination she has shown since joining the team.”
The 19-year-old was taken with Pick 34 in the 2024 National Draft.
Also out west is Echuca’s Annabel Johnson, who is set to play for West Coast.
Johnson was traded from Kardinia Park in 2023 but missed the 2024 season due to injury.
Back in Victoria, Mansfield product Bonnie Toogood will lead from the front again for Essendon, co-captaining the side for a fourth consecutive season.
Other GV exports include Euroa’s Georgia Gall (Melbourne), Hawthorn’s Sophie Locke (Seymour), and Western Bulldog Aurora Smith (Shepparton United).
A contentious condensed fixture saw clubs play 11 games across 10 weeks in 2024, however this year AFLW teams will play 12 matches across 12 rounds in a consistent format similar to the men’s operations.
The home and away season runs from mid-August to the end of October, with finals to take place in November.
