THE TIME has come.
Another pre-season means another edition of Sarah Black's Top 30 to count down the 30 days until the 2022 NAB AFLW season.
Once again, the top 30 has been based on form shown in the 2021 season – unfortunately that means West Coast's Dana Hooker, who played one game after rupturing a tendon in her foot, is ineligible.
Players who hung up the boots at the conclusion of the season have also not been considered.
2022 FIXTURE Every match, every round
All-Australian selection and both AFLW and club best and fairest results have helped contribute to shape the rankings, as well as feedback from industry officials.
One player per day will have their highlights package shown on womens.afl, while there will be an article every five days, recapping the previous selections.
Let the debate commence!
No.30 JANELLE CUTHBERTSON (Fremantle)
Previous rankings: N/A
One of the most improved players in the competition in 2021, the former tennis player was named an All-Australian defender in just her second AFLW season and her third year of footy.
A key defender, Cuthbertson is a safe set of hands overhead and reads the play well.
She averaged 6.8 intercepts, 2.8 rebound 50s and 143.2m gained in 2021, finishing third in the Dockers' best and fairest.
No.29 BREANN MOODY (Carlton)
Previous rankings: N/A
The 2021 All-Australian ruck had a breakout season, her fifth at the top level.
Moody's ability to cover the ground and find plenty of the footy holds her in good stead, as well as her work around stoppages and in the middle.
In 2021, she averaged 18.9 hitouts, 11.8 disposals and 241.6m gained, as well as 4.1 intercept possessions.
No.28 CHELSEA RANDALL (Adelaide)
Previous rankings: N/A 2021 (torn ACL previous year), No.6 2020
One of the queens of the AFLW, Randall is a highly respected leader and practically owns the AFLPA's most courageous player award.
Her versatility almost counted against her in 2021, playing across all three lines over the season but primarily lining up at half-forward where her decision-making, foot skills and marking came to the fore.
Randall averaged 12.3 disposals, 7.0 contested possessions, 3.2 score involvements and kicked six goals over her nine matches.
No.27 MEG McDONALD (GEELONG)
Previous rankings: N/A 2021, No.24 2020
The Geelong skipper had a torrid introduction to leading at AFLW level, as the Cats recorded their one and only win in round nine.
It meant the full-back was more often than not under the pump, guarding the last line of defence and taking the opposition's best forward.
She was named an All-Australian and finished second in the Cats' best and fairest, leading the competition in average intercept possessions (8.3) for those who played more than one match and averaging 14.6 disposals.
No.26 DARCY VESCIO (Carlton)
Previous rankings: N/A
Vescio was back to their best in 2021, taking out the AFLW's leading goalkicker award with 16 in the home and away season.
A mid-sized forward who is strong both in the air and at ground level, Vescio's foot skills have also been key in setting up teammates inside 50.
Vescio averaged 9.1 disposals at 72 per cent efficiency in 2021, along with 6.0 contested possessions and 4.4 score involvements.
No.25 JAIMEE LAMBERT (Collingwood)
Previous rankings: No.6 2021, No.22 2020
While a little down on her extraordinary 2020 season, Lambert nevertheless had a fine 2021, finishing fourth in a strong Pies best and fairest count.
A small but powerful midfielder, Lambert is one of the smartest players going around, and is just as deadly in front of goal as she is in the middle of the ground.
Lambert averaged 19.5 disposals, 236.7m gained and 3.7 clearances a game in 2021, also kicking four goals.
No.24 SARAH ALLAN (Adelaide)
Previous rankings: No.26 2021, N/A 2020
One of the premier key defenders in the competition, Allan has been a mainstay of Adelaide's backline for some time now.
Tasked with the number one key forward on the last line of defence, her composure and closing speed makes her a difficult prospect for the opposition.
Allan was an All-Australian and finished fourth in the Crows' best and fairest in 2021, averaging 6.6 intercept possessions, 12.5 disposals at 71.7 per cent efficiency and 227.5m gained.
No.23 IZZY HUNTINGTON (Western Bulldogs)
Previous rankings: No.21 2021, N/A 2020
Huntington showed her versatility by returning to the forward line in 2021 after an All-Australian campaign in defence.
Arguably the strongest contested mark in the AFLW, Huntington started the season on fire, kicking nine goals from her first five games and finishing with 12.
The former No.1 pick finished third in the Bulldogs' best and fairest, averaging 4.4 marks and 2.3 contested marks, as well as 3.4 score involvements.
No.22 CATHY SVARC (Brisbane)
Previous rankings: N/A
In just her second season of AFLW, Svarc stamped her claim as the premier tagger of the AFLW, shutting down some of the top midfielders in the competition.
A crucial cog in Brisbane's premiership campaign, Svarc's strength, tackling pressure and ability to win her own footy made her so damaging.
She averaged 10.1 disposals, 7.0 contested possessions and 7.3 tackles, finishing fifth in the Lions' best and fairest.
No.21 ALLY ANDERSON (Brisbane)
Previous rankings: N/A 2021, No.26 2020
Winning the club best and fairest in a premiership year is one of the top individual accolades a player can achieve, and Anderson did just that in 2021.
A dynamic midfielder who is a strong four-quarter performer, Anderson has excellent endurance, is a fierce competitor and has a high footy IQ.
She averaged 18.5 disposals, 7.5 contested possessions and 240.3m gained in 2021.
No.20 KATIE BRENNAN (Richmond)
Previous rankings: N/A 2021, No.12 2020
After years of injury-affected seasons, the Richmond skipper delivered in 2021.
Playing primarily as a key forward with the occasional midfield stint, Brennan's overhead marking and strength on the lead made her difficult to stop, especially once she corrected her wayward set shots.
The All-Australian finished second in the Tigers' best and fairest, averaging 13.3 disposals, 259.1m gained and kicking 14 goals in the process.
No.19 RUBY SCHLEICHER (Collingwood)
Previous rankings: N/A
Arguably the most improved player of 2021, Schleicher was a key part of Collingwood's rise up the ladder.
The athletic All-Australian half-back was difficult to stop in full flight, kickstarting Magpie scoring chains with her run, carry and accurate kicking out of defence.
Schleicher was second in Collingwood's best and fairest, averaging 16.1 disposals at 73 per cent efficiency, 8.2 intercept possessions and 276.6m gained.
No.18 ANNE HATCHARD (Adelaide)
Previous rankings: No.7 2021, No.17 2020
It was another consistent season from Hatchard, who just knows how to find the footy in the contest.
The hard-working inside midfielder has excellent endurance, cannot be shut out of an entire match and isn't afraid to put her body on the line.
Finishing second in Adelaide's best and fairest and equal-fifth in the AFLW's count, Hatchard averaged 20.5 disposals, 306.2m gained and 4.4 tackles in 2021.
No.17 MADDY PRESPAKIS (Carlton)
Previous rankings: No.1 2021, No.23 2020
Prespakis had undoubtably a tougher 2021 following her best-and-fairest year of 2020, under much tighter scrutiny from opposition midfielders, but still managed to influence matches.
The nuggety midfielder is a strong ball-winner and has excellent composure when exiting stoppages, finding targets amid the heat of the contest.
Prespakis made the All-Australian squad and was fourth in Carlton's best and fairest, after averaging 21.1 disposals, 225.5m gained, 11.1 contested possessions and 3.8 clearances.
No.16 GEORGIA PATRIKIOS (St Kilda)
Previous rankings: No.30 2021, N/A 2020
Regardless of whether Patrikios takes to the field in 2022 – she has requested time to consider whether to receive a COVID-19 vaccination – she is still on St Kilda's primary list, thus eligible for this countdown.
A smooth-moving midfielder with clean disposal skills, Patrikios often played a lone hand in a tough year for St Kilda, topping multiple statistical categories at the end of each game.
Named All-Australian and winning the Saints best and fairest, Patrikios averaged 23.9 disposals (equal-most in the competition), 360.1m gained, 4.9 tackles and 3.8 clearances.
No.15 KATE LUTKINS (Brisbane)
Previous rankings: No.11 2021, No.21 2020
Reinforced her reputation as a big-game player by being named best on ground in the 2021 Grand Final, despite playing with a torn planta fascia in her left foot and damage in her right.
The key back is one of the best readers of the play in the AFLW, her reach and overhead marking holding her in good stead in one of the toughest roles in football.
Lutkins was named All-Australian and finished fourth in Brisbane's best and fairest, averaging 12.4 disposals at 73.5 per cent efficiency, 214.4m gained, 6.3 intercepts and 4.0 marks.
No.14 ASH RIDDELL (North Melbourne)
Previous rankings: No.17 2021, N/A 2020
Slides under the radar as the third midfielder at North Melbourne behind Jas Garner and Emma Kearney, but Riddell's consistency is outstanding.
A small but agile player, Riddell has excellent speed away from the contest and continually pops up around stoppages, where her elusiveness comes to the fore.
Finishing third in North Melbourne's best and fairest, Riddell averaged 21.8 disposals (eighth overall), 331m gained, 4.5 tackles and 4.1 clearances in a well-rounded season.
No.13 TYLA HANKS (Melbourne)
Previous rankings: N/A
Fairly quiet and mild-mannered off the field, Hanks has a steely inner competitive drive that took her to the NAB AFLW Rising Star award in her third season.
A smaller midfielder at just 157cm, Hanks is a tough inside midfielder who covers the ground well, has an excellent footy brain and a precise kick.
Hanks finished equal-first in Melbourne's best and fairest and was named in the All-Australian squad, averaging 18.7 disposals, 230.6m gained, 4.7 tackles and 3.4 clearances.
No.12 CHLOE MOLLOY
Previous rankings: No.29 2021, No.25 2020
A genuine match-winner, Molloy played 2021 as a hybrid forward – capable of taking contested marks and losing defenders at ground level with her evasiveness.
A versatile player who has spent time across all three lines, Molloy kicked 16 goals for the season – the equal-most in the AFLW if finals are taken into account.
Molloy was named All-Australian and finished sixth in the Pies' best and fairest, averaging 8.5 disposals.
No.11 EMMA KEARNEY (North Melbourne)
Previous rankings: No.5 2021, No.2 2020
The North Melbourne skipper's incredible consistency continued in 2021, continually drawing the best defensive midfielder from the opposition.
Kearney's line-breaking run and carry, combined with her pin-point kicking and strength in stoppages, led to her record fifth All-Australian selection.
She finished second in North Melbourne's best and fairest after averaging 20.8 disposals, 311.2m gained, 4.6 tackles and 3.9 clearances.
No.10 MONIQUE CONTI (Richmond)
Previous rankings: No.13 2021, No.13 2020
The silky Tiger recorded her third straight best and fairest in 2021, having won one in her final season at the Western Bulldogs before making the switch to Richmond.
Conti's sidestep is her biggest strength, giving her time and space to wheel and find a target out of the middle.
An All-Australian who finished equal-seventh in the AFLW best and fairest, Conti averaged 22.3 disposals, 14.3 contested possessions, 5.3 intercept possessions and 4.4 clearances.
No.9 ERIN PHILLIPS (Adelaide)
Previous rankings: N/A 2021, No.1 2020
A knee injury somewhat slowed the superstar's second half to the season, primarily restricting her to the goal-square, but it was an outstanding campaign nonetheless.
Phillips' deadly combination of strength and footy smarts makes her one of the hardest players to match up on in the AFLW, and she's just as deadly out of the centre as she is in front of goal.
An All-Australian forward in 2021, she finished third in Adelaide's best and fairest after averaging 16.5 disposals, 263.6m gained, 4.8 score involvements and kicking 14 goals.
2022 FIXTURE Every match, every round
No.8 BRITTANY BONNICI (Collingwood)
Previous rankings: N/A
Like her teammate Ruby Schleicher, Bonnici had a breakout 2021 season, catapulting herself into the top echelon of midfielders.
Previously a tagger, Bonnici's endurance, work-rate and attacking flair was on show in 2021, finding the footy at will.
The All-Australian finished third in Collingwood's best and fairest and equal-seventh in the AFLW count, averaging 23.3 disposals, 311.5m gained, 5.0 marks and 5.0 intercepts.
No.7 KAREN PAXMAN (Melbourne)
Previous rankings: No.4 2021, No.8 2020
Was named All Australian for a record fifth time after another stellar campaign.
Paxman's ability to read the play and place herself in the most dangerous position is one of her biggest strengths, combined with her elite skills, work-rate and sheer determination.
She tied for Melbourne's best and fairest with Tyla Hanks and finished equal-fifth in the AFLW's edition, averaging 22.5 disposals, 343.5m gained, 4.2 score involvements and 3.4 clearances.
ANALYSIS Must-watch matches, rivalries resume, who doesn't your team play?
No.6 EBONY MARINOFF (Adelaide)
Previous rankings: N/A 2021, No.15 2020
Previously a tackle machine, Marinoff took her game to a new level in 2021, making her kicking her biggest weapon.
Winning the ball at the source, the All-Australian was the leading metres-gained player in the AFLW, averaging 387.6m a game and setting the Crows up nicely in attack.
Marinoff won Adelaide's best and fairest and finished eighth in the AFLW best and fairest, averaging 23.5 disposals, 11.9 contested possessions and 4.5 clearances.
No.5 ALYCE PARKER (GWS)
Previous rankings: No.8 2021, N/A 2020
Parker's rapid ascent to the top tier of midfielders at just 21 continued with another outstanding season in the charcoal and orange.
The bullocking All-Australian midfielder has the fend-off down pat, and is one of the physically strongest clearance players going around, giving herself extra room to get a kick away.
She took out GWS' best and fairest and finished equal-third in the AFLW count on the back of averaging a competition-high 23.9 disposals, as well as 385.8m gained, 14.9 contested possessions, 5.6 clearances and 5.1 tackles.
No.4 ELLIE BLACKBURN (Western Bulldogs)
Previous rankings: No.10 2021, No.10 2020
The Bulldogs skipper gets the nod over Parker at No.4 due to her goalkicking ability, booting five across the season.
An ultra-consistent performer over the five years of the AFLW, Blackburn had an extraordinary opening to the 2021 season, recording three straight best-afield matches as none could stop her power from the contest.
Blackburn took out the Dogs' best and fairest and was equal-third in the AFLW award, averaging 19.6 disposals, 354.2m gained and 5.3 tackles.
No.3 JASMINE GARNER (North Melbourne)
Previous rankings: No.2 2021, No.29 2020
Another brilliant season from the North Melbourne double-threat, who can turn a game from either the midfield or the forward line.
Garner's contested marking, disposal skills and goal-kicking are elite, and there are few who can shut down all her strengths at once.
The Roo won her club's best and fairest and was named All-Australian, averaging 20.6 disposals, 285.5m gained, 5.5 clearances, 4.5 marks and kicked nine goals.
No.2 KIARA BOWERS (Fremantle)
Previous rankings: No.3 2021, No.11 2020
Safe to say it's close to impossible to split the two 2021 winners of the AFLW best and fairest award.
Bowers is an outstanding defensive midfielder – it's almost impossible to get away from her tackling – but is just as deadly when winning her own footy and placing herself in just the right spot to intercept.
Unsurprisingly, the All-Australian won Fremantle's best and fairest as well as the big one, averaging 21.1 disposals at 58.8 per cent efficiency, 318.5m gained, 12.4 contested possessions, 6.5 clearances and a frankly absurd 11.0 tackles.
No.1 BRIANNA DAVEY (Collingwood)
Previous rankings: No.20 2021, No.3 2020
The No.1 player for the 2021 season just pips her fellow AFLW best and fairest winner Kiara Bowers due to her all-round game, kicking six goals to the Docker's two. Unsurprisingly, we're splitting hairs at this point.
Davey was named best-afield in five straight matches in the middle of the season, her unparalleled power through the midfield and elite disposal by foot setting her apart.
The Pie won Collingwood's best and fairest, averaging 23.8 disposals at 71.8 per cent efficiency, 294.3m gained, 11.6 contested possessions, 5.7 tackles and 4.8 clearances.
