AFLW draft prospect Scarlett Johnson is firming as this year’s Pick 1 favourite, with Richmond strongly considering taking the Northern Knights star with the first selection next week.
The Tigers on Sunday struck a crucial trade with Gold Coast, moving from Pick 4 up to Pick 1 as part of a deal that also helped the Suns net more selections to match early bids on their array of top academy prospects.
Watch live coverage of the 2025 Telstra AFLW Draft, exclusively on Fox Footy and Kayo Sports 15 Dec | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.
WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.
Industry sources initially suggested the Tigers had traded up to get first access to the likes of star Oakleigh Chargers on-baller Chloe Bown — who produced an impressive and compelling 2025 campaign across all levels — and Subiaco key forward Olivia Wolmarans.
But rival clubs now believe Johnson – a versatile 175cm wing/defender with excellent running capacity and arguably the best aerial game in this year’s pool – is the player most likely to be taken by Richmond with Pick 1 at Monday night’s AFLW draft, which will be broadcast live and exclusive on Fox Footy.
Foxfooty.com.au understands Johnson has a scheduled meeting with Richmond on Thursday after the completion of the AFLW trade period. But Johnson this week is also set to meet with the GWS Giants, who hold Picks 2 and 3 and have shown interest in the Eltham utility.
Despite missing out on AFL Academy selection, Johnson put together an awesome 2025 campaign. She made the Under 18 All-Australian team after averaging 19.5 disposals per game for Vic Metro, as well as the Coates Talent League team of the year. Johnson then produced three top-10 finishes at the national draft combine in the 20m sprint, agility test and running vertical jump.
Should both the Tigers and Giants overlook Johnson, it’s highly unlikely she would slide past Adelaide, which in the past week has also traded up the order to Pick 4.
But Richmond possibly selecting Johnson would give the Giants the option of picking either — or both of — Bown or Wolmarans. The Giants for weeks have been strongly linked to Wolmarans — an athletic and versatile 180cm goalkicker who was named at centre half-forward in this year’s Under 18 All-Australian team.
The Giants are also being tipped to place multiple bids on club-tied academy players. Any of Ava Usher, Georja Davies, Sunny Lappin, Dekota Baron and Alannah Welsh – regarded as this year’s best Suns academy prospects – could have their names called by the Giants, who have also shown strong interest in athletic Swans academy utility Alex Neyland after soaring up draft boards across the year.
It’s understood the Swans are keen to match an early bid on Neyland after also striking a trade for premiership Lion and All-Australian Taylor Smith, who’s requested a move to Sydney but remains contracted to Brisbane for another season.
“She might not be at school on Monday” | 03:38
The Swans, ideally, would like Pick 18 back from the Lions in a Smith trade to help them match a Neyland bid, but Brisbane has set a high trade asking price for Smith. Sydney almost certainly would have to send multiple first-round and second-round picks to the Lions to help get the trade over the line.
Other players expected to be in the early first-round draft mix include exciting 173cm Peel Thunder intercept defender Evie Cowcher, Calder Cannons ball magnet Chloe Baker-West, Eastern Ranges duo Jordyn Allen and Tayla McMillan, GWV Rebels powerful midfielder Maggie Johnstone and WA pair Mia Russo and Olivia Crane.
The 2025 AFLW draft will be held on Monday December 15 from 7pm (AEDT) — live and exclusive on Fox Footy, via Foxtel (Channel 504) and Kayo Sports.
Discussion about this post