The captains of the 14 teams in the NAB AFL women’s competition have given their predictions for the coming season, with Melbourne and the Brisbane Lions being the big favorites who are expected to set the tone on the pitch.

As the NAB AFL women’s competition kicks off today, the 14 skippers were asked anonymously on five key questions about how they think the season will go, with Melbourne (seven votes), Brisbane (five vote) and Collingwood and Adelaide (one vote each) drawing the most nominations for which another club besides theirs is most likely to qualify for this year’s grand final.

AFLW Best and Fairest 2021 winner Brianna Davey (Collingwood) has been tipped to be a three-way player in the competition with two voices alongside Kiara Bowers (Fremantle) and Ellie Blackburn (Western Bulldogs).

Chloe Molloy of Collingwood was tipped to score the most goals in the competition with four votes with Carlton’s Darcy Vescio (three votes) and Isabel Huntington of the Western Bulldogs (two votes) chasing her.

The 2021 NAB AFL Women’s Draft second selection Georgie Prespakis (Geelong Cats) was selected by an overwhelming majority by ten judges to win the NAB AFL Women’s Rising Star award in her debut season.

The full survey results were interviewed by:
Adelaide Crows – Chelsea Randall; Brisbane Lions – Bree Koenen; Carlton – Kerryn Harrington; Collingwood – Steph Chiocci; Fremantle – Hayley Miller; Geelong Cats – Meg McDonald; SUNS of the Gold Coast – Hannah Dunn; GWS GIANTS – Alicia Eva; Melbourne – Daisy Pearce; North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos – Emma Kearney; Richmond – Katie Brennan; St Kilda – Hannah Priest; Eagles of the West Coast – Emma Swanson; Western Bulldogs – Ellie Blackburn

What other team besides yours is most likely to reach the Grand Final?
7 – Melbourne
5 – Brisbane
1 – Adelaide’s crows
1 –Collingwood

Who will win the Best and Fairest competition?
2 – Bri Davey (Collingwood)
2 – Ellie Blackburn (Western Bulldogs)
2 – Kiara Bowers (Fremantle)
1 – Jasmine Garner (North Melbourne)
1 – Karen Paxman (Melbourne)
1 – Chloé Molloy (Collingwood)
1 – Monique Conti (Richmond)
1 – Alyce Parker (GWS GIANTS)
1 – Ebony Marnioff (Adelaide Crows)
1 – Brit Bonnici (Collingwood)
1 – Tyla Hanks (Melbourne)

Who will score the most goals in the competition?
4 – Chloé Molloy (Collingwood)
3 – Darcy Vescio (Carlton)
2 – Isabel Huntington (Western Bulldogs)
1 – Tayla Harris (Melbourne)
1 – Jesse Wardlaw (Brisbane Lions)
1 – Kate Hore (Melbourne)
1 – Dakota Davidson (Brisbane Lions)
1 – Gemma Houghton (Fremantle)

Who will win the rising NAB AFL female star?
10 – Georgie Prespakis (Geelong cats)
1 – Ellie McKenzie (Richmond)
1 – Jess Fitzgerald (Western Bulldogs)
1 – Charlie Thomas (West Coat Eagles)
1 – Charlie Rowbottom (Gold Coast SUNS)

Who in your club is the best player in another sport?
Adelaide Crows – Jasmine Simmons (Basketball)
Brisbane Lions – Greta Bodey (Football)
Carlton – Brooke Walker (Rugby 7s)
Collingwood – Ash Brazill (Netball)
Fremantle – Janelle Cutherbertson (Tennis)
Geelong Cats – Rachel Kearns (Gaelic)
Gold Coast SUNS – Tori Groves-Little (Rugby)
GWS GIANTS – Cora Staunton (Gaelic)
Melbourne – Libby Birch (Netball)
Tasmanian Kangaroos north of Melbourne – Jess Duffin (Cricket)
Richmond – Tessa Lavey (Basketball)
St Kilda – Jess Matin (Cricket)
Western Bulldogs – Bonnie Toogood (Netball)
West Coast Eagles – Niamh Kelly (Gaelic)