It was the tough, intimidating footy initiation that set Chloe Bown up for the most ridiculously impressive draft campaign and likely top-three draft selection.
Initially a basketballer and cross-country runner – “my family, we weren’t big footy people when I was young,” she says – Bown was drawn into footy by her close primary school friends.
Around four years later – after coming through the Kew Comets and Yarra Junior Football league pathway – Bown was representing the Oakleigh Chargers as a 15-year-old midfielder … and averaging 22.6 disposals from seven games, including a four-goal haul against the Bendigo Pioneers.
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AFLW scouts knew a future star was emerging.
But the physical and mental challenge remained significant for Bown.
So she leant into the likes of highly-rated teammates Maggie Mahony, Sarah Poustie, Emma McDonald and Sienna Tallariti, who were all drafted within the first 25 picks of last year’s AFLW draft.
“It’s a bit daunting joining, especially when I was playing as a bottom-bottom-ager because you’re playing with bigger bodies, stronger girls with great skills,” Bown told foxfooty.com.au.
“So I used them as a resource and just looked up to them, because you could take so many things of what they do at training and how they prepare for games into your game and make you a better player.”
Her older teammates’ success and subsequent transition to the top level ignited a passion and determination for Bown to reach similar heights.
“The dream of playing AFLW probably was when I started Oakleigh and I saw girls that I was playing with get drafted,” she said.
“I looked up to them so much. They were great leaders at Oakleigh. At training, they were just so hard-working and I just loved going against them because they pushed me and made me better.
“I think those girls have made me the player I am today. They pushed me and I’ve learned a lot from them.”
With her older teammates landing at clubs, Bown produced one of the most impressive seasons ever by an AFLW draft prospect.
She was crowned the best and fairest player of 2025 national championships, won Vic Metro’s MVP award and selected as Under 18 All-Australian captain after steering her team to back-to-back title wins.
Bown’s season was book-ended by a best on ground medal when representing the Australia Under 18 team against the All Stars in April and the Coates Talent League best and fairest award in September after averaging 29 disposals and six tackles per game.
She literally won everything.
“This season, I just absolutely loved it. It was just the best,” she said.
“I was coming into the season with some goals playing as best I can and be able to perform and bring my strengths in the big games, like Vic Metro and the championships and the academy, while just showing consistency.
“I was really pleased with what I was able to put together and I think just coming back to those things like consistency helped me perform at my best.”
Bown’s 2025 campaign has, understandably, led to significant interest from clubs with top-end draft picks.
Richmond, which moved up to Pick 1 during the AFLW trade period, will consider taking Bown with the opening selection of next week’s draft.
If the Tigers overlook her – and that’s becoming an increasingly likely prospect – it’s hard to see her sliding past the GWS Giants (Picks 2 and 3) or, at the latest, Adelaide (Pick 4).
The consensus among sources spoken to by foxfooty.com.au was that Bown was the No.1 open pool prospect, with one source declaring Bown was a “pretty clear standout”.
Clubs view Bown (173cm) as a consistent, reliable on-baller with an incredible work ethic and ability to kick well on both feet. Her ability to break lines and set up scores for her team are also weapons in an already loaded arsenal.
Bown said she modelled her game on Richmond superstar Monique Conti.
“She’s a big inspiration … The way she plays, her physicality, her decision-making – she’s a really big role model for me,” she said.
Asked to describe herself as a player, Bown said: “I’d say, first of all, competitive and just relentless and pushing right to the end, no matter if you’re winning or losing. I’d also say hardworking and just switched on.
“And then when I’m off the field, I like to have some fun. I’d like to see myself as a friendly person.”
It’s this on-field and off-field balance that has also seen Bown win respect from her teammates and led to more leadership opportunities.
“It’s about leading by example and setting high expectations at training – and people will follow that if you’re a leader,” she said. “So you’ve got to do it yourself, you can’t just tell people to do it when you’re not actually doing it yourself.
“But also with leadership comes voice. Your voice is heard and respected quite a lot when you were a leader, so making the most of that. Leadership is just wanting everyone to improve and get the best out of each other to be the best team and win.”
Bown credited her family for much of her success. Her parents “are my biggest supporters”, while her grandparents drive from Point Lonsdale to “come to pretty much every single game”.
And she’s not the only Bown seemingly destined for the AFLW, with younger sister Scarlett Bown (178cm) set to follow in Chloe’s footsteps.
Like Chloe, Scarlett was exposed – and thrived – at Under 18 Talent League level in her 16th year. She booted 25 goals from 14 games, including a haul of seven majors against the Sandringham Dragons. In the same game, older sister Chloe kicked a goal from 25 disposals, 11 tackles and 10 clearances.
“She’s tall. She gives me a good run for my money with marking,” Bown said with a smile.
“We’re both very, very competitive. Sometimes it turns into a bit of a fight at the park, but we’re also great friends and really close. I’ve loved playing with her.”
Whatever pick she’s taken with, Bown has all the traits and confidence to make an immediate impact at AFLW level next season.
“Watching AFLW, it is another step up from what I’ve been playing this year, the speed of the game, the stronger girls,” she said. “But I think the experiences like Vic Metro and the championships and Academy have been really good to play against the best.
“Hopefully that puts me in good stead for the next level.”
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