It’s taken far too long to get this out – but having the season finish, and then flung right into the action of the trade period, and then going away on holidays will do that.
But it is a great joy to finally present the top 50 AFLW players from the 2023 season. Like any list that has come before me, it took so much rotating and swapping players in spots and swapping players in and out. So many could’ve staked a claim but just missed out.
I won’t hammer on too much; it’s a long list, and I’m sure you’re itching to see if your favourite player made the list from this past season. So, let’s get to it.
- Jaimee Lambert (St Kilda)
Pre-season ranking: N/A
The Doc says: She hardly saw the ball in her first game as a Saint, but then hardly put a foot wrong as the Saints overturned a 0-3 start to narrowly miss out on the eight. Taking home the team’s best and fairest in your first year at the club is an admirable achievement, too.
The Stats say: 10 games in 2023, 18.5 disposals, 11.3 contested possessions, five clearances, 3.1 inside 50s, 2.9 intercept possessions, 2.6 marks, six tackles, 18.6 pressure acts, 3.9 score involvements, six goals, seven behinds
- Abbie McKay (Carlton)
Pre-season ranking: N/A
The Doc says: The Blues are cooking in their midfield this year, and Abbie McKay has been one of the players driving the side back up the ladder. Incredibly stiff not to win the Blues’ best and fairest, pipped at the post by Breann Moody. But McKay still produced a breakout year and established herself as a critical pillar in Carlton’s core.
The Stats say: 10 games in 2023, 22.3 disposals, 12.9 contested possessions, six clearances, 2.6 inside 50s, 2.1 intercept possessions, 5.8 tackles, 16.2 pressure acts, 3.7 score involvements, three goals, two behinds
- Abbey Dowrick (Port Adelaide)
Pre-season ranking: N/A
The Doc says: Back in July, Abbey Dowrick was in the headlines for all the wrong reasons, being caught driving under the influence. Five months down the road, she’s won herself a best and fairest at Port and was, by far and away, their most consistent player.
The Stats say: 10 games in 2023, 19.6 disposals, 12.2 contested possessions, 6.3 clearances, 5.8 inside 50s, 1.6 rebound 50s, 3.6 intercept possessions, 2.2 marks, 6.6 tackles, 21.1 pressure acts, 2.4 score involvements
- Mim Strom (Fremantle)
Pre-season ranking: N/A
The Doc says: For years, we’ve been asking what Mim Strom can add around the ground to compliment her ruck craft. We’ve seen it this year; she’s improved her ability to cover ground hugely, offered plenty behind the ball, and was rewarded with a top-three finish in Freo’s best and fairest.
The Stats say: 10 games in 2023, 11.9 disposals, contested possessions, two clearances, 25.7 hitouts, nine hitouts to advantage, 5.1 intercept possessions, 2.2 marks, 0.8 contested marks, 1.1 intercept marks, 4.9 tackles, 13.2 pressure acts, 1.6 score involvements
- Nat Grider (Brisbane)
Pre-season ranking: 29
The Doc says: She had a massive Grand Final and has often been called upon to hold the fort in defence when either Shannon Campbell or Bre Koenen were called upon further afield. Her intercept abilities have been elite for several seasons, but I feel those outside Queensland still underrate her.
The Stats say: 13 games in 2023, 12.9 disposals, 5.9 contested possessions, 2.3 rebound 50s, 7.1 intercept possessions, 3.8 marks, 1.9 intercept marks, 3.5 tackles, 9.2 pressure acts, 19 defensive contested one-on-ones for five losses
- Zarlie Goldsworthy (GWS)
Pre-season ranking: N/A
The Doc says: There was high praise from several people about how Zarlie Goldsworthy plays the game from her under-18s campaign. In just two seasons, she’s delivered what she can accomplish in this competition—winning the Giants’ best and fairest in a dismal year and being named the league’s rising star.
The Stats say: 10 games in 2023, 18.3 disposals, nine contested possessions, 2.1 clearances, 1.9 inside 50s, 1.4 rebound 50s, 2.7 intercept possessions, 3.3 marks, 6.6 tackles, 19.2 pressure acts, 2.9 score involvements, 13 goals, eight behinds
- Charlie Thomas (West Coast)
Pre-season ranking: N/A
The Doc says: The ball was peppered in West Coast’s defensive 50 about 60 times per game, but Charlie Thomas ensured she held up her end of the bargain. A first-time All-Australian, a club champion, and recently signed an extension to see her stay until the end of 2027.
The Stats say: 10 games in 2023, 17.4 disposals, 4.4 contested possessions, five rebound 50s, 6.3 intercept possessions, 4.2 marks, 2.2 intercept marks, 2.8 tackles, 8.6 pressure acts, one goal.
- Caitlin Gould (Adelaide)
Pre-season ranking: N/A
The Doc says: The departure of Ash Saint and the arrival of Jess Allan meant a significant shift in the side for Caitlin Gould, who saw a permanent move up forward. She showed she could take a great grab deep and a reliable kick for a goal; it was a career year for her.
The Stats say: 13 games in 2023, 8.5 disposals, 4.8 contested possessions, 7.4 hitouts, 1.8 hitouts to advantage, three marks, 0.9 contested marks, 1.8 tackles, seven pressure acts, 4.3 score involvements, 19 goals, six behinds
- Eloise Jones (Adelaide)
Pre-season ranking: N/A
The Doc says: She’s a player who can excite or frustrate you. This year, we saw more of the former from Eloise Jones. She kicked goals for fun at stages; at other times, she was a convenient link in the chain that led to Adelaide’s scores.
The Stats say: 13 games in 2023, 11.2 disposals, 4.6 contested possessions, 1.5 inside 50s, 3.4 marks, 2.2 tackles, 9.8 pressure acts, 4.4 score involvements, 18 goals, 10 behinds
- Sarah Wright (North Melbourne)
Pre-season ranking: N/A
The Doc says: She had a nightmare of a final term in the Grand Final, but up until that point, Sarah Wright’s role as a stopper in North Melbourne’s defensive unit was nearly flawless. She won a lot of essential one-on-ones and intercepted well when called upon.
The Stats say: 13 games in 2023, 9.8 disposals, 3.2 contested possessions, 1.3 rebound 50s, 5.7 intercept possessions, 3.7 marks, 1.5 intercept marks, 1.5 tackles, 5.5 pressure acts, 31 defensive contest one-on-ones for three losses
- Libby Birch (Melbourne)
Pre-season ranking: N/A
The Doc says: Birch continued to play to her strengths as the lockdown defender and proved hard to beat at the Dees again. Now a Roo, they inherit a backline general, and with the likes of Ferguson, Wright and Eliza Shannon in the side, good luck kicking a goal against this backline in 2024.
The Stats say: 12 games in 2023, 8.2 disposals, 4.2 contested possessions, 1.4 rebound 50s, 5.3 intercept possessions, 2.3 marks, 0.7 contested marks, 1.5 intercept marks, 1.8 tackles, 6.2 pressure acts, 40 defensive contest one-on-ones for seven losses
- Amy McDonald (Geelong)
Pre-season ranking: 12
The Doc says: Statistically, she was very sound again in 2023, but the eye test felt like she was caught behind the brilliance of the midfielders around her and the rest of the midfielders in the competition. Her inside game was enough for the umpires to put her equal second in the league’s best and fairest, and she is still worthy of being well inside the 50.
The Stats say: 13 games in 2023, 22.7 disposals, 12.6 contested possessions, 5.8 clearances, 3.4 inside 50s, 2.9 intercept possessions, 2.2 marks, 7.2 tackles, 18.2 pressure acts, 3.5 score involvements, five goals, one behind
- Niamh Kelly (Adelaide)
Pre-season ranking: N/A
The Doc says: It was a career year for the Irishwoman, who struggled a fair bit last year with injury in her first season at the Crows. She featured a little bit in the centre bounces but showcased her class on the wing, where she was named All-Australian for the first time.
The Stats say: 13 games in 2023, 18.3 disposals, 5.8 contested possessions, 1.7 clearances, 3.3 inside 50s, 3.8 intercept possessions, 4.3 marks, 1.1 intercept marks, 2.2 tackles, 10.2 pressure acts, three score involvements, six goals, four behinds
- Emma Kearney (North Melbourne)
Pre-season ranking: 43
The Doc says: The old reliable – Eight All-Australian blazers in as many seasons. She showed out enough times to suggest that she can still have the dash, and her ability to intercept across half-back has reached new levels this year.
The Stats say: 13 games in 2023, 20.1 disposals, 5.8 contested possessions, 2.2 inside 50s, 4.5 rebound 50s, 7.2 intercept possessions, 3.3 marks, 1.3 intercept marks, 2.5 tackles, 6.5 pressure acts
- Claudia Gunjaca (Geelong)
Pre-season ranking: N/A
The Doc says: She Looked out of her depth when she started her AFLW career up forward but was one of the primary beneficiaries of the positional change to defence. Whether it was tasked to play on a key forward or to come in as the spare, Gunjaca stepped up to the plate dutifully in a big year.
The Stats say: 13 games in 2023, 10.8 disposals, 4.7 contested possessions, 3.2 rebound 50s, 7.4 intercept possessions, 3.9 marks, 2.6 intercept marks, 1.5 tackles, 4.6 pressure acts, 36 contested defensive one-on-ones for 12 losses.
- Ellie Blackburn (Western Bulldogs)
Pre-season ranking: 11
The Doc says: Not many people lifted at the Bulldogs this year, but you know what you’ll get every time from the captain when she steps onto the field. In what was a paltry year at the Dogs, Blackburn played as if she was a one-woman crew at times in the midfield and put up monster numbers in a bleak year.
The Stats say: 10 games in 2023, 26.8 disposals, 11.2 contested possessions, 6.2 clearances, 3.9 inside 50s, 2.2 rebound 50s, 4.5 marks, 4.3 tackles, 19.7 pressure acts, three score involvements.
- Mia King (North Melbourne)
Pre-season ranking: N/A
The Doc says: There were high wraps on her when she was drafted by the Roos four years ago and she is fresh off producing a career-best year, capped off with a performance in the Grand Final that saw her pick up 13 clearances.
The Stats say: 12 games in 2023, 20.3 disposals, 11.7 contested possessions, 6.1 clearances, 2.7 inside 50s, 2.1 intercept possessions, 2.1 marks, 8.9 tackles, 22.3 pressure acts, 2.9 score involvements
- Sabrina Frederick (Collingwood)
Pre-season ranking: N/A
The Doc says: AFLW fans weren’t sure where she was at this time last year, but a full pre-season in the ruck has propelled Sabrina Frederick to new heights this year. She won more than her share of hitouts; she provided the second and third efforts and proved she had a place in this competition.
The Stats say: 10 games in 2023, 9.8 disposals, 5.5 contested possessions, 2.6 clearances, 28.7 hitouts, 6.9 hitouts to advantage, 2.5 intercept possessions, two marks, 0.9 contested marks, 1.1 intercept marks, 4.1 tackles, 12.6 pressure acts, four goals, two behinds
- Tahlia Gillard (Melbourne)
Pre-season ranking: N/A
The Doc says: Gillard burst onto the scene last year and made a massive name for herself by taking on the game’s most prominent and meanest key forwards en route to being a premiership fullback. She has only gone forward this year regarding her defensive craft – and was hardly beaten.
The Stats say: 12 games in 2023, 9.8 disposals, four contested possessions, 2.5 rebound 50s, 5.5 intercept possessions, 2.3 marks, 1.8 intercept marks, 1.8 tackles, 6.5 pressure acts, 36 contested defensive one-on-ones for two losses
- Emily Bates (Hawthorn)
Pre-season ranking: 9
The Doc says: It still doesn’t feel real seeing her not in Brisbane colours, but in her first year as a Hawk, she adapted to the system like a duck to water, so much so that she took home the Hawks’ best and fairest in her first year at the club – making it three seasons in a row she has won a club best and fairest.
The Stats say: 10 games in 2023, 20.8 disposals, 13 contested possessions, 4.9 clearances, 2.9 inside 50s, 4.2 intercept possessions, 9.7 tackles, 24.3 pressure acts, 1.8 score involvements, one goal, three behinds
- Tahlia Randall (North Melbourne)
Pre-season ranking: N/A
The Doc says: She’s been on a slow rise to becoming a superstar key forward, but I feel like we got about as complete a season as we’ve had with Randall. Watching in front of the goal has often been frustrating, but her marking hands have been first-class, and her set shot has come a long way since the move.
The Stats say: 13 games in 2023, 8.1 disposals, 4.7 contested possessions, intercept possessions, 2.5 marks, 0.8 contested marks, 1.8 tackles, 6.8 pressure acts, 4.7 score involvements, 21 goals, 17 behinds
- Kate Dempsey (Richmond)
Pre-season ranking: N/A
The Doc says: The wings are starting to get recognised by those in the mainstream media, but Dempsey’s snub from the All-Australian squad continues to perplex me. One of Richmond’s hardest gut runners and has improved significantly in finding the ball.
The Stats say: 10 games in 2023, 20.3 disposals, 6.9 contested possessions, 2.3 clearances, 3.4 inside 50s, 2.3 rebound 50s, 4.2 intercept possessions, three marks, 3.2 tackles, 11.8 pressure acts, 2.5 score involvements.
- Tyla Hanks (Melbourne)
Pre-season ranking: 45
The Doc says: She stepped up in numerous games this year as the Melbourne vice-captain. She’ll get there one day as the captain of the Dees. She’s ultra-consistent in finding the ball, winning the clearances and using it to help the side.
The Stats say: 12 games in 2023, 21.3 disposals, 10.4 contested possessions, 5.2 clearances, 3.5 inside 50s, 2.1 intercept possessions, 4.1 tackles, 18.1 pressure acts, 4.3 score involvements six goals, two behinds
- Eilish Sheerin (Richmond)
Pre-season ranking: 17
The Doc says: Had a slow start to the season, but by the midway mark, we saw the Eilish Sheerin we’ve come to love watching over the last 12 months. She only knows one way to move the footy: forwards, one of the Tigers’ best in a tough year.
The Stats say: 10 games in 2023, 16.8 disposals, 10.2 contested possessions, 2.7 inside 50s, 3.7 rebound 50s, 7.9 intercept possessions, 2.8 marks, 2.1 intercept marks, 5.3 tackles, 12.4 pressure acts.
- Chloe Scheer (Geelong)
Pre-season ranking: 13
The Doc says: She got exposed horribly against some of the better teams in the competition but still showed the competition that she’s one of the more damaging mid-sized forwards. She needs to find a way to get involved when the Cats can’t score.
The Stats say: 12 games in 2023, 6.2 disposals, 3.8 contested possessions, two marks, 0.7 intercept marks, 1.8 tackles, 7.2 pressure acts, 3.1 score involvements, 20 goals, seven behinds
- Breanna Koenen (Brisbane)
Pre-season ranking: N/A
The Doc says: Once a general down back, she’s the proverbial ‘Ms Fix-it’. She got asked to do jobs further up the ground by Craig Starcevich in 2023 and very rarely was let down. Her role in shutting down Jasmine Garner in the second half of the Grand Final and her ability to close up North’s midfield potency were plenty of reasons to give her the best player on the ground.
The Stats say: 13 games in 2023, 13.1 disposals, 6.2 contested possessions, 1.7 clearances, 5.1 intercept possessions, 3.3 marks, 0.7 contested marks, 2.2 intercept marks, 4.5 tackles, 11.8 pressure acts, two goals, one behind
- Chelsea Biddell (Adelaide)
Pre-season ranking: 16
The Doc says: She had to play a little more one-on-one this year but showed out when she was allowed to play off her direct opponent and either intercept or showcase her rebounding skills out of the backline—a two-time All-Australian in defence.
The Stats say: 13 games in 2023, 15.6 disposals, 5.2 contested possessions, 5.4 rebound 50s, 6.9 intercept possessions, three marks, 1.8 intercept marks, 25 defensive contest one-on-ones for six losses
- Nina Morrison (Geelong)
Pre-season ranking: N/A
The Doc says: Both Geelong and the league are better off when they see this young lady in the park and injury-free. She started on the wing, excelled when thrown into the centre bounces, and finished second in the Cats’ best and fairest.
The Stats say: 13 games in 2023, 22.9 disposals, 11.2 contested possessions, 4.8 clearances, 3.2 inside 50s, 3.6 intercept possessions, 2.3 marks, 5.2 tackles, 22.1 pressure acts, 4.5 score involvements, six goals, five behinds
- Claudia Whitfort (Gold Coast)
Pre-season ranking: N/A
The Doc says: Everyone talks about Charlie at the Suns, but I get the feeling people are starting to turn their attention towards Claudia Whitfort; maybe a club best and fairest will do that. She has flown under the radar at the Suns for the past few seasons but has thrived at finding the ball and using it well as an inside mid.
The Stats say: 11 games in 2023, 24.5 disposals, 13.5 contested possessions, 6.5 clearances, 4.3 inside 50s, 2.4 intercept possessions, 1.9 marks, 6.7 tackles, 18.8 pressure acts, 3.3 score involvements, four goals, four behinds
- Danielle Ponter (Adelaide)
Pre-season ranking: N/A
The Doc says: I’ve had reservations about playing Ponter more minutes as a midfielder this year, but she still managed to be such a menacing presence up forward to be one of the better general/mid-sized forwards and was rightfully named in the forward five in the league’s All-Australian team.
The Stats say: 13 games in 2023, 12.6 disposals, 7.2 contested possessions, 3.2 clearances, 2.8 inside 50s, 2.3 marks, contested/intercept, 4.2 tackles, 10.7 pressure acts, 4.4 score involvements, 20 goals, nine behinds
- Emma O’Driscoll (Fremantle)
Pre-season ranking: N/A
The Doc says: With tremendous respect to Ange Stannett, how Emma O’Driscoll didn’t win Freo’s best and fairest is baffling—held up a defensive unit under siege many times in 2023. Without her, the Dockers get belted nearly every week.
The Stats say: 10 games in 2023, 17.1 disposals, 8.3 contested possessions, 3.4 rebound 50s, 8.5 intercept possessions, 3.1 marks, 1.7 intercept marks, 3.1 tackles, 9.3 pressure acts
- Belle Dawes (Brisbane)
Pre-season ranking: N/A
The Doc says: She saw more minutes in the midfield this year and delivered by the time we rolled into finals. Arguably one of the most important players during Brisbane’s premiership run, and that was highlighted with a top-two finish in the club’s best and fairest – 10 votes shy of the winner.
The Stats say: 13 games in 2023, 17.5 disposals, 11.2 contested possessions, 4.3 clearances, inside 50s, 2.5 intercept possessions, 7.7 tackles, 21.4 pressure acts, 3.3 score involvements, three goals, six behinds
- Ally Morphett (Sydney)
Pre-season ranking: N/A
The Doc says: If she hadn’t missed the last four games of the season, there could’ve been every chance Ally Morphett sneaks into the top 10. In the short history of the AFLW, very few players have significantly improved in the manner she has. She was dropped midway through season seven; now she’s the best ruck in the competition.
The Stats say: 7 games in 2023, 17.9 disposals, 12.1 contested possessions, 5.1 clearances, 29.3 hitouts, 7.1 hitouts to advantage, 4.3 inside 50s, 3.3 marks, two tackles, 2.4 score involvements, three goals
- Sophie Conway (Brisbane)
Pre-season ranking: 14
The Doc says: She assumed her mantle as the best winger in the game with another terrific season. She has an incredible balance of playing as a loose behind the ball and managing to push forward and be a scoreboard influence, and that two-way running is second to none in this competition.
The Stats say: 12 games in 2023, 13.5 disposals, 5.6 contested possessions, 1.7 clearances, hitouts/to advantage, 2.7 inside 50s, 1.8 rebound 50s, 3.4 intercept possessions, 2.6 marks, 4.3 tackles, 12.1 pressure acts, 3.1 score involvements, 12 goals, eight behinds
- Georgie Prespakis (Geelong)
Pre-season ranking: 24
The Doc says: In her third season, she has scooped up her first of what should be many club best and fairest awards. It’s ridiculous to think that at 20 years of age, just how much she has already produced, and it is scary to think where her ceiling truly is.
The Stats say: 13 games in 2023, 24.2 disposals, 13.7 contested possessions, 6.6 clearances, 4.2 inside 50s, 3.2 intercept possessions, 7.2 tackles, 19.8 pressure acts, 3.7 score involvements, four goals, seven behinds
- Anne Hatchard (Adelaide)
Pre-season ranking: 4
The Doc says: It may be a bit stiff to have a great midfielder down this low in the piece; the other players around the competition were better this year. She was second in Adelaide’s best and fairest but finished 10th in the best and fairest and just sneaked inside the top 20 in the coaches association votes.
The Stats say: 12 games in 2023, 26.4 disposals, 13.5 contested possessions, 4.3 clearances, 3.3 inside 50s, 3.9 intercept possessions, 5.4 marks, 5.7 tackles, 17.3 pressure acts, 5.8 score involvements, eight goals, seven behinds
- Eden Zanker (Melbourne)
Pre-season ranking: N/A
The Doc says: She has been played in multiple positions in years gone by as a ‘fix-it’ type of player, but this year played primarily as a key forward and reaped the rewards individually, being named an All-Australian for the first time and being a joint-winner of the league’s leading goalkicker.
The Stats say: 12 games in 2023, 11.3 disposals, five contested possessions, 3.7 marks, 1.3 contested marks, 3.2 tackles, 8.8 pressure acts, 4.7 score involvements, 23 goals, 12 behinds
- Jasmine Ferguson (North Melbourne)
Pre-season ranking: N/A
The Doc says: Maybe it’s because I’ve got a soft spot for the lockdown defenders, but Jasmine Ferguson was paired up with some of the most dangerous key forwards this year, and she was rarely beaten. It’s time the league recognises these players in the All-Australian side. Ferguson’s omission from 2023’s side was a disgrace.
The Stats say: 13 games in 2023: seven disposals, 2.5 contested possessions, 4.1 intercept possessions, three marks, 1.3 intercept marks, 1.7 tackles, 2.8 pressure acts, 36 contested one-on-ones for six losses
- Maddy Prespakis (Essendon)
Pre-season ranking: 7
The Doc says: Another year, another season in which Maddy Prespakis carries a midfield on her shoulders and attempts to win games of her own bat. She was again sensational for the Bombers this year, winning more than the lion’s share of contested ball and tirelessly working from end to end.
The Stats say: 11 games in 2023, 26.2 disposals, 12.7 contested possessions, 5.5 clearances, 2.6 inside 50s, 2.4 rebound 50s, 2.9 marks, 5.1 tackles, 11.8 pressure acts, 3.5 score involvements, five goals, two behinds
- Charlie Rowbottom (Gold Coast)
Pre-season ranking: 15
The Doc says: There were times last year when Charlie Rowbottom got struck by the opposition, but time after time, she got back to her feet and kept going. We knew she was a talented inside midfielder, and the stats proved it in 2023, but she’s also a warrior and a bloody good one who’d die for the Suns—named All-Australian for the first time in her career.
The Stats say: Nine games in 2023, 26.8 disposals, 17.3 contested possessions, 7.1 clearances, 3.6 inside 50s, 3.9 intercept possessions, 2.9 marks, 9.7 tackles, 16.2 pressure acts, 2.4 score involvements, two goals, two behinds
- Dakota Davidson (Brisbane)
Pre-season ranking: N/A
The Doc says: She stepped up as the number one forward all season long but saved her best for the last quarter of the Grand Final. The best players find their moments, and some may see Dakota Davidson as a pest outside of Brisbane, but she stamped her ticket as a big-time player.
The Stats say: 12 games in 2023, 9.7 disposals, 1.3 inside 50s, 4.7 marks, 1.8 contested marks, 0.7 intercept marks, 1.6 tackles, 4.3 score involvements, 23 goals, 8 behinds
- Laura Gardiner (Sydney)
Pre-season ranking: N/A
The Doc says: Those in the know of AFLW knew this was coming the moment she was traded out of Geelong. I’ve always said she needed an opportunity in an on-ball brigade the past few years, and the Swans came calling. She’s a certified ball magnet but also elite at territory and clearances. She’s as essential a recruit as the rest at Sydney.
The Stats say: 12 games in 2023, 29.1 disposals, 13.3 contested possessions, 5.7 clearances, 3.8 inside 50s, 2.4 rebound 50s, 4.1 intercept possessions, 2.7 marks, 9.1 tackles, 25.4 pressure acts, 3.8 score involvements, two goals, two behinds
- Ash Riddell (North Melbourne)
Pre-season ranking: 32
The Doc says: Statistically, she took a step back in season seven but responded with personal bests all across the board in 2023. Perhaps overlooked in a stacked North Melbourne midfield, but she’s as influential as anyone else at the club when she can get her hands on the ball.
The Stats say: 13 games in 2023, 29.8 disposals, 13.7 contested possessions, 5.5 clearances, 4.5 inside 50s, 4.4 intercept possessions, 3.7 marks, 5.3 tackles, 18.8 pressure acts, 4.3 score involvements, two goals, five behinds
- Bonnie Toogood (Essendon)
Pre-season ranking: N/A
The Doc says: She produced a career-best season at the Bombers that saw her breakthrough for a mountain of accolades: led the league in marks, set a personal best in goals kicked, and finished sixth in the league best and fairest. She was also named an All-Australian vice-captain and a club best and fairest medal winner for the first time.
The Stats say: 11 games in 2023, 19.1 disposals, 8.9 contested possessions, 1.5 clearances, 3.2 inside 50s, 3.3 intercept possessions, 6.5 marks, 1.7 contested marks, 1.1 intercept marks, 5.2 tackles, 12.1 pressure acts, 4.8 score involvements, 16 goals, 9 behinds
- Kate Hore (Melbourne)
Pre-season ranking: 10
The Doc says: Took over from Daisy as the leader of Melbourne and didn’t disappoint for most of the year, being one of two Dees to take home the league’s leading goalkicker and named an All-Australian captain. She has a terrific balance of being up the field, deep forward and kicking a score when you need her.
The Stats say: 12 games in 2023, 17.3 disposals, 8.4 contested possessions, 2.3 clearances, two inside 50s, 2.4 intercept possessions, 4.1 marks, 0.9 contested marks, 3.9 tackles, 15.3 pressure acts, 6.2 score involvements, 20 goals, 18 behinds
- Ally Anderson (Brisbane)
Pre-season ranking: 2
The Doc says: The quintessential workhorse; she gets the job done weekly and year after year. She became a three-time Brisbane best and fairest winner this season and an All-Australian for the second time – she will remain the number-one midfielder in Brisbane for a while yet. She finished in the top three in the coaches’ association votes.
The Stats say: 13 games in 2023, 24.3 disposals, 11.4 contested possessions, 4.5 clearances, 3.5 inside 50s, 4.2 intercept possessions, 2.9 marks, 0.8 intercept marks, 6.5 tackles, 18.5 pressure acts, 3.6 score involvements, one goal, five behinds.
- Monique Conti (Richmond)
Pre-season ranking: 3
The Doc says: Won the league’s best and fairest medal, but I’m not entirely sure I agree with the umpires. Nonetheless, she cements herself as a top-five player in the competition every year, such is her consistency around the ball. We’ll be long discussing her stance among the game’s greats 20 years down the track, her impact on the game, and her resume, which is already sizeable.
The Stats say: 10 games in 2023: 28.5 disposals, 12.9 contested possessions, 7.3 clearances, 5.1 inside 50s, 2.2 rebound 50s, 3.7 intercept possessions, 2.9 marks, 5.8 tackles, 21.9 pressure acts, 3.5 score involvements, four goals, five behinds.
- Chloe Molloy (Sydney)
Pre-season ranking: 47
The Doc says: When the Swans played well, Chloe Molloy was the one who was firing in the forward line. She burst into the conversation in 2023 as one of the competition’s most exciting players when she kicked 12 goals in Sydney’s last five matches. Even then, she split time between midfield and forward and had a strong influence early in the season.
The Stats say: 12 games in 2023, 16.5 disposals, eight contested possessions, 2.9 clearances, 3.9 inside 50s, 2.5 intercept possessions, 3.2 marks, 4.3 tackles, 13.5 pressure acts, 5.6 score involvements, 18 goals, 13 behinds
- Ebony Marinoff (Adelaide)
Pre-season ranking: 6
The Doc says: Erin Phillips will be a revered figure in South Australia, but so should Marinoff. She’s so consistent; another massive year for her, resulting in a second club best, fairest, and sixth All-Australian blazer. I still remember her early days when she tackled opposition for fun. Now, she’s hurting the opposition with her contested ball, clearance work, and tackling.
The Stats say: 13 games in 2023, 27.5 disposals, 11.9 contested possessions, 4.9 clearances, 5.4 inside 50s, 3.2 intercept possessions, 3.9 marks, 10.4 tackles, 22.5 pressure acts, 4.8 score involvements, four goals, two behinds
- Jasmine Garner (North Melbourne)
Pre-season ranking: 1
The Doc says: Sooner or later, there will be respect for her name regarding the league’s best and fairest count. She produced another incredible year, which saw her pick up a fourth club best and fairest, a sixth All-Australian blazer, and winning both the Coaches Association and Players Association MVP. She made powering through opposition and kicking goals look easy at times; such was her dominance.
The Stats say: 13 games in 2023, 28.6 disposals, 6.5 clearances, 6.5 inside 50s, 15.1 contested possessions, 4.1 intercept possessions, 3.5 marks, 7.2 tackles, 19.2 pressure acts, 5.2 score involvements, 13 goals, 13 behinds
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