AFLW 2020 Season Preview

Here we go, the countdown to the first game of the 2020 AFLW season has officially started. On Friday February 7, Richmond (that’s right, the Tigers are here) and Carlton will kick off the season, and what a season it will be.

With the competition secured for another three years with an updated collective bargaining agreement and four new teams making their AFLW debut in 2020, we are sure to be in for an exciting year.

Welcoming four new teams

In this year’s season Gold Cost Suns, Richmond, St Kilda and West Coast Eagles will be joining Adelaide Crows, Brisbane Lions, Carlton, Collingwood, Fremantle, Geelong Cats, GWS Giants, Melbourne, North Welbourne and Western Bulldogs.

The introduction of four new teams is a significant step forward for AFLW. Not only does it further encourage generations of young, talented women to join in and play the sport on a professional level, it also has an immensely positive impact on fans and locals of the areas who can pick up an AFLW guernsey with their club’s iconic colours on it and show their support.

Players to keep an eye on

Forever blending the skills of Gaelic football and AFL, Irish rookies Sinead Goldrick and Niamh McEvoy were signed to Melbourne before the draft in 2019. The Dublin pair are well-rounded Gaelic-playing stars, having recently won their third straight All-Ireland Senior Ladies’ Football Championships.

Adding a little more of that Irish gold to the great game, St Kilda signed Gaelic footballer Clara Fitzpatrick from its VFL side Southern Saints. Former basketballer Kelly Poppy was also signed, and at both 180cm, the ruck duo is sure to impress.

The co-captains still have it

Reigning premiers Adelaide are to remain under the leadership of co-captains Erin Phillips and Chelsea Randall. Despite their current injuries holding them both back from the season, Coach Matthew Clarke said naming the pair was easy, with both women being the natural leaders of the group.

Randall is looking to miss the 2020 season with a torn ACL from a pre-season incident, and Philips is recovering from a knee injury sustained in the 2019 Grand Final, with her return date still uncertain. 

All in all, bring on 2020, the AFLW is coming.

Sherrin are the official game ball of the AFLW and proud supporters of the competition. Shop our range of AFLW footballs.