Reading Time: 5 minutes

The AFLW players have been asking and now we’re delivering. This is the 30Over30 squad.

Selection in the squad was based on consistency across a player’s career and the course of the AFLW competition (2017-2020). Players must also have been on a list for the duration of the 2020 season, excluding those players who have taken maternity leave and would have been on the list otherwise.

The players were selected based on where they have played the majority of their career.

DEFENDERS

Leah Kaslar (Gold Coast Suns)

Part of Brisbane’s leadership group since her first season, including co-captain in 2019, Kaslar moved to the Gold Coast Suns ahead of the 2020 season to co-captain the AFLW’s newest team. In her four seasons, Kaslar has established herself as one of the most reliable key position players in the competition, being named in the AFLW All Australian squad in 2017 and 2018.

Courtney Cramey (Adelaide)

A two-time premiership player and joint vice-captain of the Adelaide Crows, Cramey has established herself as a key competitor. The defender-turned-forward was named in the AFLW All Australian team in 2017.

Jess Duffin (North Melbourne)

Despite missing the 2020 season due to maternity leave, Duffin has been an ultra-consistent competitor across the AFLW competition. The former professional cricketer started her career with Collingwood, earning an All Australian nomination in her first season, before joining expansion side North Melbourne ahead of 2019.

Melissa Hickey (Geelong)

Struggling with injuries throughout her AFLW career, Hickey was known for her strong leadership skills and work as an intercept defender. One of Melbourne’s marquee signings in 2017, Hickey earned an All Australian nod before joining Geelong and captaining the club for two seasons. Hickey retired at the end of 2020.

Maddy McMahon (Geelong)

Debuting in 2019, the former elite basketballer and netballer finished third in the club’s best and fairest. Playing as an intercept defender, McMahon was also nominated for the All Australian team, having only taken up football 12 months prior following the birth of her third child.

Kate Lutkins (Brisbane)

Debuting in 2017, Lutkins made herself known with an impressive 2018 campaign. The lockdown defender won the club’s best and fairest award and was selected in the AFLW All Australian team, before backing up her performance in 2019.

Lauren Spark (Western Bulldogs)

A member of the Bulldogs’ leadership group, Spark is a natural-born leader. After spending some time in London and playing Australian Rules football there, she joined the Dogs ahead of the inaugural season.

Meg Downie (Melbourne)

A member of the AFL Players’ Association board, Downie is an important member of Melbourne’s back six. Although having some injury challenges at points throughout her career, Downie is an ultra consistent performer.

Hannah Scott (Western Bulldogs)

Making her debut in the club’s inaugural AFLW game, Scott is a composed and tough half-back. After a strong season in 2018, Scott was rewarded with AFLW All Australian honours and was part of the Bulldogs’ premiership team.

Ashleigh Brazill (Collingwood)

A talented dual athlete with Collingwood’s AFLW and Netball sides, Brazill has cemented herself a key component of Collingwood’s team and leadership group as vice-captain. In 2019, Brazill was awarded runner-up in the club’s best and fairest as well as selection in the All Australian team.

Midfielders

Karen Paxman (Melbourne)

One of the competition’s best midfielders, Paxman enjoyed a standout 2019, which included All Australian honours, the club best and fairest and fifth in the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year Award. Paxman has been prolific since joining the club as a priority selection ahead of the inaugural season.

Courtney Gum (Adelaide)

Winning the AFLW Players’ MVP in her debut season and earning All Australian honours, Gum retired at the end of 2019. After a short stint on the sidelines she joined Adelaide to give the AFLW another go.

Renee Forth (Adelaide)

Moving from the GWS Giants to Adelaide ahead of the 2019 season, Forth started to find her feet and cement herself an important cog in the Crows’ premiership.

Emma Kearney (North Melbourne)

Starting her career with the Western Bulldogs, Kearney earned All Australian honours and the 2018 League best and fairest. Her strong performances continued when she moved to expansion side North Melbourne ahead of the 2019 season, showing why she is one of the best midfielders in the competition.

Emma Zielke (Brisbane)

Brisbane’s inaugural captain, Zielke is known for her leadership and composure. A skilful midfielder, Zielke didn’t miss a game in her first three seasons.

Steph Chiocci (Collingwood)

Captain of Collingwood since day one, Chiocci is a highly-respected leader among the competition. Skilful and quick, Chiocci has played important roles in every area of the ground for Collingwood.

Katie Loynes (Carlton)

Debuting in 2017, Loynes is a reliable and consistent midfielder. Loynes finished equal first in the 2018 club best and fairest and took over the reigns of captain with Kerryn Harrington for 2020 after the departure of Bri Davey to Collingwood.

Daisy Pearce (Melbourne)

One of the game’s biggest names, Daisy Pearce has done it all. Pearce is a two-time AFLW Players’ Best Captain recipient, a two-time club best and fairest winner and a powerhouse midfielder. Pearce missed the 2019 season after giving birth to twins Sylvie and Roy but returned to her lofty heights in 2020.

Renee Garing (Geelong)

A member of Geelong’s AFLW leadership group, Garing is a hard-at-it midfielder. Debuting in 2019 after playing at local level, Garing finished third in Geelong’s best-and-fairest in 2019 and has become an integral cog in their midfield.

Lauren Arnell (Brisbane)

Starting her career with Carlton, Arnell made the move to Brisbane to revive her career. The veteran was Carlton’s inaugural captain before joining the Lions and offering valuable experience to their young side.

forwards

Erin Phillips (Adelaide)

Undoubtedly the most decorated AFLW player, Phillips has taken home every accolade since making her AFLW debut in the Crows’ inaugural side in 2017. Phillips is a two-time AFLW Players’ MVP, a two-time League best-and-fairest and a two-time premiership player. Phillips tore her ACL in last year’s Grand Final meaning she missed the bulk of the 2020 season.

Phoebe McWilliams (Geelong)

After playing her first two seasons with the GWS Giants, McWilliams crossed to the Cats ahead of the 2019 season. The forward was the Giants’ leading goal-kicker in 2017 and 2018.

Richelle Cranston (Geelong)

Starting her career with Melbourne, ‘Rocky’ has become a cult hero of the AFLW. Cranston spent some time in Geelong’s midfield in 2019 and was part of their leadership group before moving back to the forward line this year.

Tegan Cunningham (Melbourne)

Becoming one of Melbourne’s most valuable players, Cunningham was the club’s leading goal-kicker for the 2018 and 2019 seasons. A former WNBL basketballer, Cunningham opts to play basketball in the off-season instead of football, making her on-field feats even more impressive.

Nikki Callinan (Western Bulldogs)

Debuting in 2017, Callinan has been part of the Bulldogs’ leadership group since the competition began. A versatile, agile and hard-running footballer, Callinan has had a successful AFLW career, making the decision to retire at the end of the 2020 season.

Cora Staunton (GWS Giants)

A well-known Irish footballer, Staunton joined the Giants in the 2017 AFLW Draft and hasn’t looked back since. The forward has become one of the Giants’ more important goal-kickers and a key part of their success.

Shelley Scott (Melbourne)

Co-captain of Melbourne is 2019, Scott is described as the ultimate team player. A versatile player, Scott has played many roles for Melbourne from the midfield to forward line.

ruck

Aasta O’Connor (Geelong)

A premiership ruck with the Western Bulldogs in 2018, O’Connor moved to Geelong as an expansion team signing for the 2019 season. Part of Geelong’s leadership group, O’Connor has played an important role in helping to develop her younger teammates.

Jess Foley (Adelaide)

It didn’t take long for former Australian basketballer Foley to find her feet in the AFLW. Debuting in 2019, Foley played all nine games and was prolific on Grand Final day. She finished runner-up to Phillips in the club best and fairest and earned an All Australian nomination for her season.

Alison Downie (Carlton)

Playing with Carlton since 2017, Downie has been an important part of the Blues’ midfield group. Downie has been a reliable contributor, including a third-place finish in the 2017 club best and fairest.