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!
SARAH BLACK'S TOP 30 Click here for 30-21
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.
