Each week of the 2026 AFLW season, ESPN's Sarah Burt takes a look at what's making news, raising questions, and catching the eye across the competition.
This week's W Files feature why the AFLW needs to think bigger, the Round 1 clash you don't want to miss, the captains' picks for breakout stars, and one of the best-rated games in league history.
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Blues-Saints opener shows how far AFLW has come
After much chatter about double headers involving the men's and women's league in the crossover of their seasons, in Season 11 the AFL listened to the fans and opened the AFLW Season with a bang. The back-to-back games for Carlton versus St Kilda for the AFLW and AFL respectively took place at Marvel Stadium, another common request from AFLW diehards who have been adamant that the women's league would draw bigger crowds if the space was there for it.
Not only was the actual game a fantastic contest which saw the Blues win by 26 points despite a late comeback from the Saints, the crowd hit 20,455 -- a far cry from the average attendance numbers of AFLW.
There is still always conversation around whether having the AFLW play before the AFL side gives it an air of the "support act", but the approach undeniably bolstered crowd numbers and gave the league a chance to show its stripes on a professional deck. The concept of a "one club approach" is often soapboxed by those at the helm, but Carlton's Darcy Vescio said it felt like a new era, saying after the game "I feel like we belong on the big stage... Our club's been building since the start, we all support each other."
We don't have to wait long for the match of the round
This is set to be a close battle, and for me it's the game of the round. Last season they finished on equal points (36), just two spots apart on the ladder, with the Demons second and the Hawks fourth. Thursday night's clash at Ikon Park is an early chance to see which team has taken the next step. The Demons are playing under new coach Tom Wilson, and have lost powerful forward Eden Zanker, but remain with a solid list and a stoic captain in Kate Hore.
After losing to the eventual premiers in a preliminary final last year, they will be feeling the pressure to go one better this year, and will no doubt be looking to start this with a week one win. The Hawks have retained a stable list, and with Emily Bates and Eliza West such a strong duo in the midfield, we are likely to see a very tightly contested match.
These teams haven't played each other since 2024 when the Hawks slid past by six points, and I expect to see another hard fought tussle.
Keep an eye on these breakout stars
I chatted to a few of the captains last week and they had a lot to say about some of the names we should be eyeing off this season. Hawthorn skipper Emily Bates labelled Daisy Flockhart as a breakout candidate, while Lions captain Breanna Koenen put her bet on new Brisbane recruit Marlo Graham. GWS' Bec Beeson is all in on her new teammate, and Swans Academy product, Kiera Yerbury. Essendon skipper Bonnie Toogood was full of praise for two of their new names, saying: "Maggie Johnstone -- watch out, just watch her 'don't argues', for an 18-year-old to come into a senior competition and dish them out is pretty impressive. She's really strong through the contest and has got a lethal kick on her." Toogood also had a lot to say about other recruit Nalu Brothwell, calling her a "competitive beast, you should see her in a 1v1."
One of the best individual games in AFLW history!
Reigning Saints best and fairest winner Tyanna Smith had the 10th highest-rated game since player ratings was introduced for AFLW at the start of the 2019 season according to Champion Data. Smith, despite being on the losing team, finished with 26 rating points after kicking two goals from 24 disposals and being responsible for more than half the total number of centre clearances for her entire side. It was the highest-rated game of any Saints player on record. For reference, North Melbourne captain and premiership star Jasmine Garner holds the record for player rating points at 37.1 -- from Round 8, 2025.