THE TIME has come.
Another pre-season means another edition of Sarah Black's Top 30 to countdown the days to 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 and good old gut feel.
One player per day will be revealed on AFLW social media accounts, while the womens.afl website will run an article every five days, recapping the previous selections.
Let the debate commence!
SARAH BLACK'S TOP 30 Click here for 30-21
SARAH BLACK'S TOP 30 Click here for 20-16
SARAH BLACK'S TOP 30 Click here for 15-11
No.10 MONIQUE CONTI (Richmond)
Previous rankings: No.13 2021, No.13 2020
The silky Tiger recorded her third straight best and fairest in 2021, having won one in her final season at the Western Bulldogs before making the switch to Richmond.
Conti's sidestep is her biggest strength, giving her time and space to wheel and find a target out of the middle.
An All-Australian who finished equal-seventh in the AFLW best and fairest, Conti averaged 22.3 disposals, 14.3 contested possessions, 5.3 intercept possessions and 4.4 clearances.
No.9 ERIN PHILLIPS (Adelaide)
Previous rankings: N/A 2021, No.1 2020
A knee injury somewhat slowed the superstar's second half to the season, primarily restricting her to the goal-square, but it was an outstanding campaign nonetheless.
Phillips' deadly combination of strength and footy smarts makes her one of the hardest players to match up on in the AFLW, and she's just as deadly out of the centre as she is in front of goal.
An All-Australian forward in 2021, she finished third in Adelaide's best and fairest after averaging 16.5 disposals, 263.6m gained, 4.8 score involvements and kicking 14 goals.
2022 FIXTURE Every match, every round
No.8 BRITTANY BONNICI (Collingwood)
Previous rankings: N/A
Like her teammate Ruby Schleicher, Bonnici had a breakout 2021 season, catapulting herself into the top echelon of midfielders.
Previously a tagger, Bonnici's endurance, work-rate and attacking flair was on show in 2021, finding the footy at will.
The All-Australian finished third in Collingwood's best and fairest and equal-seventh in the AFLW count, averaging 23.3 disposals, 311.5m gained, 5.0 marks and 5.0 intercepts.
No.7 KAREN PAXMAN (Melbourne)
Previous rankings: No.4 2021, No.8 2020
Was named All Australian for a record fifth time after another stellar campaign.
Paxman's ability to read the play and place herself in the most dangerous position is one of her biggest strengths, combined with her elite skills, work-rate and sheer determination.
She tied for Melbourne's best and fairest with Tyla Hanks and finished equal-fifth in the AFLW's edition, averaging 22.5 disposals, 343.5m gained, 4.2 score involvements and 3.4 clearances.
ANALYSIS Must-watch matches, rivalries resume, who doesn't your team play?
No.6 EBONY MARINOFF (Adelaide)
Previous rankings: N/A 2021, No.15 2020
Previously a tackle machine, Marinoff took her game to a new level in 2021, making her kicking her biggest weapon.
Winning the ball at the source, the All-Australian was the leading metres-gained player in the AFLW, averaging 387.6m a game and setting the Crows up nicely in attack.
Marinoff won Adelaide's best and fairest and finished eighth in the AFLW best and fairest, averaging 23.5 disposals, 11.9 contested possessions and 4.5 clearances.
