THE CAPTAINS of the 14 teams in the NAB AFL Women's competition have given their predictions on the approaching season, with Carlton and Fremantle the strong favourites expected to set the pace on the field.

At the NAB AFL Women's Competition launch held across the country on Wednesday, the 14 skippers were anonymously polled on five key questions on how they believe the season will unfold, with Carlton (four votes), Fremantle (four votes) and North Melbourne (three votes) drawing the most nominations for which other club apart from their own is most likely to push into this year's Grand Final. Adelaide, Collingwood and Melbourne were also predicted by the captains to perform strongly in the 2020 season.

Jasmine Garner (North Melbourne) was tipped to be the stand-out player of the competition with six votes while Kiara Bowers (Fremantle) and Karen Paxman (Melbourne) and are also expected to be on-field stars.

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Carlton’s Georgia Gee, Fremantle’s Gemma Houghton and Garner have been tipped to kick the most goals in the competition.

No.1 NAB AFL Women’s Draft pick Ellie McKenzie (Richmond) was selected by six judges to claim the NAB AFL Women’s Rising Star award in her debut season while Jess Fitzgerald (Western Bulldogs) was also tipped to make an impact on the competition.

The full survey results were (Captains polled – Adelaide Crows – Chelsea Randall; Brisbane Lions – Emma Zielke; Carlton – Kerryn Harrington; Collingwood – Bri Dacvey; Fremantle – Gemma Houghton; Geelong Cats – Meg McDonald; Gold Coast SUNS – Sam Virgo and Hannah Dunn (joint-voting); GWS GIANTS – Alicia Eva; Melbourne – Daisy Pearce; North Melbourne – Emma Kearney; Richmond – Katie Brennan; St Kilda – Rhiannon Watt; West Coast Eagles – Emma Swanson; Western Bulldogs – Ellie Blackburn):

Which other team apart from your own is most likely to reach the Grand Final?

4 – Fremantle
4 – Carlton
3 – North Melbourne
1 – Adelaide Crows, Collingwood, Melbourne

Who will win the competition Best and Fairest?

6 – Jasmine Garner (North Melbourne)
4 – Kiara Bowers (Fremantle)
2 – Karen Paxman (Melbourne)
1 – Erin Phillips (Adelaide Crows), Chloe Molloy (Collingwood), Jaimee Lambert (Collingwood),

Please note: One captain predicted a tie between Bowers and Paxman.

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Who will kick the most goals in the competition?

2 – Georgia Gee (Carlton)
2 – Gemma Houghton (Fremantle)
2 – Jasmine Garner (North Melbourne)
1 – Greta Bodey (Brisbane Lions), Jesse Wardlaw (Brisbane Lions), Tayla Harris (Carlton), Roxy Roux (Fremantle), Sabreena Duffy (Fremantle),  Kalinda Howarth (Gold Coast SUNS), Rebecca Privitelli (GWS GIANTS), Caitlin Greiser (St Kilda).

Who will win the NAB AFL Women's Rising Star?

6 – Ellie McKenzie (Richmond)
5 – Jess Fitzgerald (Western Bulldogs)
1 – Belle Dawes (Brisbane Lions), Tarni Evans (GWS GIANTS), Bella Lewis (West Coast Eagles). 

Who will be the best player from another sport?

2 – Erin Phillips (Adelaide Crows)
2 – Jess Duffin (North Melbourne)
2 – Tessa Lavey (Richmond)
1 – Courtney Hodder (Brisbane Lions), Orla O’Dwyer (Brisbane Lions), Ash Brazill (Collingwood), Sharni Norder (Collingwood), Janelle Cuthbertson (Fremantle), Cora Staunton (GWS GIANTS), Erin Todd (GWS GIANTS), Sinead Goldrick (Melbourne).