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!
No.30 JANELLE CUTHBERTSON (Fremantle)
Previous rankings: N/A
One of the most improved players in the competition in 2021, the former tennis player was named an All-Australian defender in just her second AFLW season and her third year of footy.
A key defender, Cuthbertson is a safe set of hands overhead and reads the play well.
She averaged 6.8 intercepts, 2.8 rebound 50s and 143.2m gained in 2021, finishing third in the Dockers' best and fairest.
No.29 BREANN MOODY (Carlton)
Previous rankings: N/A
The 2021 All-Australian ruck had a breakout season, her fifth at the top level.
Moody's ability to cover the ground and find plenty of the footy holds her in good stead, as well as her work around stoppages and in the middle.
In 2021, she averaged 18.9 hitouts, 11.8 disposals and 241.6m gained, as well as 4.1 intercept possessions.
No.28 CHELSEA RANDALL (Adelaide)
Previous rankings: N/A 2021 (torn ACL previous year), No.6 2020
One of the queens of the AFLW, Randall is a highly respected leader and practically owns the AFLPA's most courageous player award.
Her versatility almost counted against her in 2021, playing across all three lines over the season but primarily lining up at half-forward where her decision-making, foot skills and marking came to the fore.
Randall averaged 12.3 disposals, 7.0 contested possessions, 3.2 score involvements and kicked six goals over her nine matches.
No.27 MEG McDONALD (GEELONG)
Previous rankings: N/A 2021, No.24 2020
The Geelong skipper had a torrid introduction to leading at AFLW level, as the Cats recorded their one and only win in round nine.
It meant the full-back was more often than not under the pump, guarding the last line of defence and taking the opposition's best forward.
She was named an All-Australian and finished second in the Cats' best and fairest, leading the competition in average intercept possessions (8.3) for those who played more than one match and averaging 14.6 disposals.
No.26 DARCY VESCIO (Carlton)
Previous rankings: N/A
Vescio was back to her best in 2021, taking out the AFLW's leading goalkicker award with 16 in the home and away season.
A mid-sized forward who is strong both in the air and at ground level, Vescio's foot skills have also been key in setting up teammates inside 50.
She averaged 9.1 disposals at 72 per cent efficiency in 2021, along with 6.0 contested possessions and 4.4 score involvements.
No.25 JAIMEE LAMBERT (Collingwood)
Previous rankings: No.6 2021, No.22 2020
While a little down on her extraordinary 2020 season, Lambert nevertheless had a fine 2021, finishing fourth in a strong Pies best and fairest count.
A small but powerful midfielder, Lambert is one of the smartest players going around, and is just as deadly in front of goal as she is in the middle of the ground.
Lambert averaged 19.5 disposals, 236.7m gained and 3.7 clearances a game in 2021, also kicking four goals.
No.24 SARAH ALLAN (Adelaide)
Previous rankings: No.26 2021, N/A 2020
One of the premier key defenders in the competition, Allan has been a mainstay of Adelaide's backline for some time now.
Tasked with the number one key forward on the last line of defence, her composure and closing speed makes her a difficult prospect for the opposition.
Allan was an All-Australian and finished fourth in the Crows' best and fairest in 2021, averaging 6.6 intercept possessions, 12.5 disposals at 71.7 per cent efficiency and 227.5m gained.
No.23 IZZY HUNTINGTON (Western Bulldogs)
Previous rankings: No.21 2021, N/A 2020
Huntington showed her versatility by returning to the forward line in 2021 after an All-Australian campaign in defence.
Arguably the strongest contested mark in the AFLW, Huntington started the season on fire, kicking nine goals from her first five games and finishing with 12.
The former No.1 pick finished third in the Bulldogs' best and fairest, averaging 4.4 marks and 2.3 contested marks, as well as 3.4 score involvements.
No.22 CATHY SVARC (Brisbane)
Previous rankings: N/A
In just her second season of AFLW, Svarc stamped her claim as the premier tagger of the AFLW, shutting down some of the top midfielders in the competition.
A crucial cog in Brisbane's premiership campaign, Svarc's strength, tackling pressure and ability to win her own footy made her so damaging.
She averaged 10.1 disposals, 7.0 contested possessions and 7.3 tackles, finishing fifth in the Lions' best and fairest.
No.21 ALLY ANDERSON (Brisbane)
Previous rankings: N/A 2021, No.26 2020
Winning the club best and fairest in a premiership year is one of the top individual accolades a player can achieve, and Anderson did just that in 2021.
A dynamic midfielder who is a strong four-quarter performer, Anderson has excellent endurance, is a fierce competitor and has a high footy IQ.
She averaged 18.5 disposals, 7.5 contested possessions and 240.3m gained in 2021.
