THE ABORTED NAB AFLW season ran for just seven weeks, after the effects of COVID-19 hit Australia in March.

There were a number of players who didn't manage single game throughout that period due to injury, while others played only one or two before misfortune struck. 

Which returning players will benefit your club? 

INS, OUTS, TRADES, DRAFTEES, ROOKIES Every club's complete list for 2021

Chelsea Randall (Adelaide, ACL)
The Adelaide co-captain was sorely missed after tearing her ACL in the first training session of pre-season. Comfortably one of the best rebound defenders in the game, she'll be an instant boost to the Crows' line-up.

Chloe Scheer (Adelaide, ACL)
Scheer has had a horrible run of knee injuries in her junior days and the early parts of her AFLW career, her most recent torn ACL coming in the 2019 Grand Final. She's a natural footballer and tough to stop inside forward 50.

Stephanie Cain (Fremantle, ACL)
Cain was an early casualty to the dreaded torn ACL, suffering the injury in round one. She should slot straight back into the team's best 21 off half-back or even on the wing.

00:32

Heartbreak as midfielder goes down clutching knee

Fremantle's Stephanie Cain goes down during the first quarter in an attempted tackle

Alex Williams (Fremantle, ACL)
Missed the entire 2020 campaign after suffering a torn ACL in round six of 2019. Williams is a composed key defender who should free up Evie Gooch for a more rebounding role in 2021.

01:10

AFLW: Docker down with knee injury

Key defender Alex Williams clutches at her right knee after this awkward landing

Aine Tighe (Fremantle, ACL)
The Irish recruit tore her ACL in a pre-season match, leaving Mim Strom as the sole ruck for the season. It'll be interesting to see how the Dockers juggle two rucks, but Tighe is highly rated internally for her athleticism and dedication. 

Denby Taylor (Geelong, ankle)
Super-versatile and a tough player, Taylor suffered an ankle injury in round two. She's part of a rising core of young Cats, and can play across all three lines.

00:24

Cat Taylor's day done with ankle injury

Denby Taylor suffers a right ankle injury in a tackle that ended her involvement in the clash with the Lions

Emma Pittman (Gold Coast, ACL)
The former Lion suffered her injury in mid-2019 playing QAFLW, ruling her out of the Suns' maiden season. A really tough defender who will be itching to play her first game in the red and gold.

Lauren Pearce (Melbourne, knee)
The fact Melbourne qualified for the amended finals series with its All Australian ruck playing just one home-and-away match bodes well for the future. Pearce will also add some grunt to the midfield with her follow-up work.

Jess Duffin (North Melbourne, pregnancy)
In case you thought the Kangaroos' line-up couldn't get any stronger, they've got 2019 All Australian Jess Duffin to slot into defence. With Jess Trend having moved to Fremantle, expect Duffin to take the spot which has opened up in the 21.

Jess Duffin while playing for North Melbourne in November 2019. Picture: AFL Photos

Nadia von Bertouch (St Kilda, ACL)
The unlucky von Bertouch suffered a torn ACL in her debut AFLW match. A fairly versatile player who can line up in the midfield or across the forward line, she'll add another string to the Saints' bow.

Alicia Janz (West Coast, knee)
Janz was a big loss to West Coast's line-up during pre-season, especially her on-field leadership and competitiveness in the ruck. Has previously worked in tandem with the Eagles' other ruck in Parris Laurie when the pair were at Fremantle.

Brooke Lochland (Western Bulldogs, hamstring and quad)
It was a very frustrating season for Lochland, who managed just two games due to a series of soft-tissue issues. Kirsten McLeod came into her own as a small forward in 2020, meaning Lochland could either add another scoring option or push up into the midfield.