So you want to get your head around the AFLW teams for 2025? Good onya. Whether you're a die-hard footy fan looking to follow a new side, a parent trying to figure out which local club to support, or a grassroots player keen to understand the pathway, this guide has you covered.

The AFL Women's competition has grown faster than a Jack Ginnivan snap from the boundary. What started with eight teams in 2017 has ballooned into an 18-club national league, and keeping track of who's who, where they play, and how the whole shebang works can feel like trying to catch a greased pig at a country show.

But here's the thing—understanding the AFLW landscape isn't just about knowing team names. It's about connecting with the stories, the rivalries, and the pathways that make women's footy so bloody special. And if you're reading this on a site that normally covers the Ashes, the Big Bash League, and Pat Cummins' latest masterclass, you already know how to follow a sport. This is just a different code.

Let's break it down so you can walk into your local pub, footy club, or family barbecue and talk AFLW teams like you've been following since Round 1, 2017.

What You'll Need Before We Start

Before we dive into the step-by-step, here's what you'll want handy:

A device with internet access – You'll be checking fixtures, team lists, and ladder positions.
A streaming service subscription – Kayo Sports, Foxtel, or the AFL's own platform (7plus also broadcasts games free-to-air).
A local AFL club or community team – Even if you're just curious, knowing your nearest club helps ground the experience.
Patience – The AFLW season is shorter than the men's comp (usually 10 rounds plus finals), so it moves fast.

Righto, let's get into it.

Step 1: Know the 18 AFLW Teams for 2025

First things first—you can't follow the competition if you don't know who's playing. As of 2025, all 18 AFL clubs have a women's side. That's right, every single men's club now fields an AFLW team.

Here's the full list:

Victoria (10 teams):

Carlton Blues
Collingwood Magpies
Essendon Bombers
Geelong Cats
Hawthorn Hawks
Melbourne Demons
North Melbourne Kangaroos
Richmond Tigers
St Kilda Saints
Western Bulldogs

South Australia (2 teams):

Adelaide Crows
Port Adelaide Power

Western Australia (2 teams):

Fremantle Dockers
West Coast Eagles

New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory (2 teams):

GWS Giants
Sydney Swans

Queensland (2 teams):

Brisbane Lions
Gold Coast Suns

Tasmania (1 team):

No standalone AFLW team yet, but North Melbourne plays some home games in Hobart.

Northern Territory:

No AFLW team, but the NT Thunder program feeds into the competition.

Pro tip: If you're new to footy, pick a team based on your state, your local men's club, or just the guernsey you like best. There's no wrong answer.

Step 2: Understand the Competition Structure

The AFLW doesn't follow the same format as the men's AFL. Here's the gist:

Season length: Typically 10 home-and-away rounds, plus a finals series.
Finals format: Top 8 teams qualify, with a standard knockout system (Qualifying Finals, Semi-Finals, Preliminary Finals, Grand Final).
Grand Final venue: Usually at a neutral or rotating venue, not necessarily the MCG.
Fixture quirks: Some teams play double-ups against local rivals, and travel is a factor—especially for non-Victorian clubs.

The season usually kicks off in late August or early September and runs through to late November or early December. That means it overlaps with the men's AFL finals and the start of the Big Bash League and Women's Big Bash League seasons. If you're a cricket fan, you'll have a busy few months.

One thing to note: the AFLW doesn't have a pre-season competition like the men's AFL. There are practice matches, but they're not broadcast in the same way.

Step 3: Follow the Key Players and Storylines

Every AFLW team has its stars, and knowing them makes watching the games 10 times more enjoyable.

Here are a few names worth knowing for 2025:

Ellie Blackburn (Western Bulldogs) – A midfield bull who's been elite since Day 1.
Erin Phillips (Adelaide Crows) – The face of the competition. Multi-sport legend (she played basketball for Australia), multiple club champion, and still going strong.
Keara O'Halloran (Brisbane Lions) – A rising star who's already a key player in the Lions' engine room.
Chloe Molloy (Sydney Swans) – The former Collingwood and Melbourne star who became the Swans' first AFLW captain.
Alyce Parker (GWS Giants) – An absolute gun midfielder who's been carrying the Giants for years.
Maddie Gay (Richmond Tigers) – A forward who can kick a bag on her day.

But don't just focus on the household names. The beauty of the AFLW is that every team has stories—players who juggle footy with full-time jobs, mums who come back after having kids, and young guns who've come through the pathways.

Step 4: Learn the Pathways and Development System

If you're a parent or grassroots player, this is the most important step. How do players get into the AFLW?

The main pathways:

AFLW Draft – Held annually, usually in late November or December. Talented players from across the country nominate, and clubs pick them based on their draft order.
Rookie List – Clubs can add players outside the draft, often mature-age recruits or players from other sports.
State Leagues – The VFLW (Victoria), WAFLW (Western Australia), SANFLW (South Australia), QAFLW (Queensland), and AFL Sydney Women's are the main feeder competitions. If you're good enough, you'll get noticed.
Academies – Each club runs a Next Generation Academy (NGA) that focuses on multicultural and Indigenous talent.
Country and regional programs – AFL Victoria, AFL NSW/ACT, and other state bodies run development squads.

For grassroots players, the key is to find your local women's or girls' team. Most community clubs now have junior girls' sides from under-12s up to under-18s, and senior women's teams in local competitions. You don't need to be an AFLW star to enjoy footy—there are thousands of women playing at community level every weekend.

Step 5: Get Familiar with the Key Rivalries

Every competition needs rivalries, and the AFLW has some beauties:

Adelaide Crows vs Brisbane Lions – These two have been among the powerhouses of the competition. When they meet, it's finals-like intensity.
Carlton vs Collingwood – The traditional men's rivalry carries over, but the women's teams have their own history. These games are always feisty.
Melbourne Demons vs Brisbane Lions – There's genuine heat here, especially after recent grand final meetings.
Fremantle Dockers vs West Coast Eagles – The WA derby is always a cracker, with both sides desperate for bragging rights.
Sydney Swans vs GWS Giants – The Sydney derby is still developing, but it's got potential.

Rivalries make footy more fun. When you're watching an AFLW game, pay attention to the body language and the crowd—you'll quickly figure out which teams don't like each other.

Step 6: Know Where to Watch and How to Follow

You can't follow the AFLW if you don't know where to find it. Here's the breakdown:

Free-to-air TV: Channel 7 broadcasts at least one game per round, usually on Saturday or Sunday afternoon.
Streaming: Kayo Sports and Foxtel have every game live and on demand.
AFL Official App: The AFL app has live scores, stats, and news for every game.
Club social media: Follow your chosen team on Instagram, Twitter/X, and Facebook for behind-the-scenes content and player updates.
AFLW website: The official AFLW site has fixtures, ladders, player stats, and draft news.

If you're a cricket fan, think of it like following the Women's Big Bash League—you can dip in and out, but the more you watch, the more you'll love it.

Pro Tips and Common Mistakes

Pro tip #1: Don't compare it to the men's game The AFLW is a different product. The skills are developing, the speed is different, and the game is more contested. That's not a bad thing—it's its own thing. Enjoy it for what it is.

Pro tip #2: Pick a team early You'll enjoy the season 10 times more if you have a horse in the race. Even if you're just following a team because you like their jumper, commit to it. You'll learn the players, the history, and the storylines much faster.

Pro tip #3: Go to a game Nothing beats live footy. AFLW tickets are often affordable, and the atmosphere is fantastic. The crowds are passionate, family-friendly, and welcoming.

Common mistake #1: Assuming the season is the same as the men's The AFLW season is shorter, starts later in the year, and doesn't have a pre-season comp. Don't look for Round 1 in March—you'll be waiting until September.

Common mistake #2: Forgetting about the draft The AFLW draft is a big deal. If you want to follow player movements, keep an eye on draft night. Clubs can completely change their fortunes with a good draft.

Common mistake #3: Ignoring the state leagues The VFLW, WAFLW, and SANFLW are where future stars are made. If you're a grassroots coach or player, these competitions are more relevant than the AFLW itself.

Checklist Summary: Your AFLW Teams 2025 Quick-Reference

Here's your checklist for becoming an AFLW expert:

Know the 18 teams – All 18 AFL clubs now have women's sides. Memorise your state's teams.
Understand the season structure – 10 rounds, top 8 finals, runs from late August to late November.
Follow key players – Blackburn, Phillips, O'Halloran, Molloy, Parker, Gay, and more.
Learn the pathways – Draft, rookie list, state leagues, academies, and country programs.
Identify the rivalries – Crows-Lions, Blues-Pies, Demons-Lions, WA derby, Sydney derby.
Find your viewing method – Channel 7, Kayo, Foxtel, or AFL app.
Pick a team to support – Commit to one club and follow them throughout the season.
Go to a live game – Cheap tickets, family-friendly atmosphere, and you'll learn more in one game than in 10 articles.
Check the AFLW fixture – Plan your season around your team's games.
Follow club social media – Get player updates, behind-the-scenes content, and breaking news.
Watch the draft – See which young talents your team picks up.
Explore state leagues – VFLW, WAFLW, SANFLW are the breeding grounds for future stars.

There you have it—a complete guide to AFLW teams and the competition for 2025. Whether you're a cricket fan looking for something to fill the off-season, a parent trying to support your daughter's footy dreams, or a footy tragic who wants to know every team in the land, you're now equipped to dive in.

The AFLW is still growing, still evolving, and still finding its feet. But that's what makes it exciting. Every season brings new stories, new stars, and new moments that'll have you yelling at the TV or cheering in the stands.

So pick a team, learn the players, and get ready for a cracking season of women's footy. And if you're ever unsure about something, just remember—footy is footy. The ball's oval, the goals are at each end, and the best team on the day wins.

Now get out there and enjoy it.

For more on Australian Rules football, check out our guides on AFL clubs list, state leagues guide, junior competitions, and fan traditions.

AFLW Teams 2025: Complete Guide to Every Club and Competition