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glbastiani.bsky.social
Gemma
@glbastiani.bsky.social
610 followers 77 following 760 posts
Words for AFL.com.au • Expert comms for ABC Sport & VFL/W • Co-host W Download & State of Play
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Gemma @glbastiani.bsky.social · May 19
Pleased to share the first of four parts of my new #AFLW analysis series ahead of the 10th season. Taking a look at how each line has strategically evolved since that first year, starting today with the forward line ✨

www.afl.com.au/aflw/news/13...
AFLW R/Evolution: How the forward line has evolved in nine seasons
The introduction of AFLW changed Australia's sporting landscape forever, but the game itself has evolved across its nine-season existence. Over the next four weeks, Gemma Bastiani will take a look at ...
www.afl.com.au
glbastiani.bsky.social
Lauren Arnell has chosen to step down from her role as Port Adelaide’s #AFLW head coach. Now three clubs are on the hunt for a new coach, with the Power joining Melbourne and Richmond. Adelaide, Sydney, and Geelong have already appointed new coaches for the 2026 season.
January 27, 2026 at 7:02 AM
glbastiani.bsky.social
A quick look at how each club has crafted its 2026 #AFLW list:

www.afl.com.au/aflw/news/14...
Draft, trade, cross-coders: How your club built its AFLW list
Some clubs back themselves to identify and develop young talent, while others hit trade periods hard. This is how each club has built its list
www.afl.com.au
January 22, 2026 at 2:02 AM
glbastiani.bsky.social
Finished my 2025 with an attempt at putting together every club's #AFLW best 21 for 2026.

www.afl.com.au/news/1460641
Your club's best 21: Who's in, who's out, who's new
Gemma Bastiani has compiled her predicted starting 21 for each team ahead of the 2026 season
www.afl.com.au
January 8, 2026 at 2:23 AM
glbastiani.bsky.social
Sydney's Maddie Quinn is the first player to be added to an #AFLW list with a name beginning with Q.
January 5, 2026 at 1:11 AM
glbastiani.bsky.social
Brisbane is set to sign the younger sister of former Cat Anna Rose Kennedy as an other sport rookie to complete its #AFLW list for 2026.

www.afl.com.au/aflw/news/14...
Lions set to sign another Irish gun
The Lions are set to add Irishwoman Caitlin Kennedy to their list
www.afl.com.au
December 16, 2025 at 4:36 AM
glbastiani.bsky.social
Full #AFLW draft recap including who your club picked, and why.

www.afl.com.au/aflw/news/14...
Bolters, sliders, steals: How did your club go in the AFLW Draft?
Who did your club pick up at Monday night's Telstra AFLW Draft? Gemma Bastiani takes a look at the comp's newest players
www.afl.com.au
December 15, 2025 at 8:24 PM
glbastiani.bsky.social
Two clubs finish the night with one list spot remaining - Gold Coast and Sydney. They have the option to fill those spots in next year's preseason draft. #AFLW
December 15, 2025 at 11:55 AM
glbastiani.bsky.social
Eloise Mackereth hasn't been picked. Hugely disappointing for the South Australian, who was more than handy across half forward across this year's U18 champs. Will certainly be a watch in next year's pre-season draft, has plenty to offer. #AFLW
December 15, 2025 at 10:40 AM
glbastiani.bsky.social
Gold Coast has snapped up six of the first 15 picks in this #AFLW draft. All bid matches.
December 15, 2025 at 9:20 AM
glbastiani.bsky.social
Eden Zanker signed a four-year deal to head to Fremantle, locked away until 2029.
December 15, 2025 at 5:36 AM
glbastiani.bsky.social
Jemma Rigoni has been delisted by Melbourne, with the news coming via Collingwood's statement that it has signed the Dees' father-daughter for two seasons. #AFLW
December 14, 2025 at 10:34 PM
glbastiani.bsky.social
All the ins and outs following the #AFLW trade period, what your club's recruits will do for your club, and the gaps still left to fill at Monday's draft.

www.afl.com.au/aflw/news/14...
THAT'S A WRAP: Your club's ins and outs after the Trade Period
Check out your club's list changes as they stand
www.afl.com.au
December 11, 2025 at 12:18 AM
glbastiani.bsky.social
Aileen Gilroy will play on in 2026, paperwork still to go through but she's agreed to return. #AFLW
December 10, 2025 at 6:16 AM
glbastiani.bsky.social
Podium finishes in club best and fairest counts in all 10 #AFLW seasons:

EBONY MARINOFF
December 7, 2025 at 5:54 AM
glbastiani.bsky.social
WA talent Alira Fotu has nominated for December 15th's #AFLW draft despite speculation she would move away from her footy aspirations to pursue basketball full time.
December 6, 2025 at 6:54 AM
glbastiani.bsky.social
They say better the devil you know, but the Lions knew exactly what they were coning up against and it didn’t help. My last #AFLW piece for ABC this year 👇🏼👇🏼

www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
Lions 'threw the kitchen sink' but nothing could halt Roos' perfect season
Creating history by winning consecutive premierships and completing an unbeaten season is just reward for North Melbourne's boundary-pushing AFLW program.
www.abc.net.au
November 30, 2025 at 10:03 PM
glbastiani.bsky.social
My last #AFLW preview of 2025. Where I think the Grand Final will be won/lost, who will be the key players, and a tip.

www.afl.com.au/aflw/news/14...
MEGA-PREVIEW: Roos v Lions, match-ups that matter, who wins and why
North Melbourne and Brisbane meet in the NAB AFLW Grand Final for a third straight season
www.afl.com.au
November 28, 2025 at 1:32 AM
glbastiani.bsky.social
First-year players to lead their club's #AFLW goalkicking in 2025:

Sophie McKay (18) - Carlton
Havana Harris (11) - Gold Coast
Lucia Painter (10) - West Coast
Emma McDonald (11) - Western Bulldogs
November 25, 2025 at 5:43 AM
glbastiani.bsky.social
Special bonus episode of W Download from the W Awards last night includes Eden Zanker's reason for considering a move, and Daisy Pearce's strategies for beating the Roos. #AFLW

www.afl.com.au/news/1456801...
'Lifestyle change' drives star Demon's trade dilemma
Eden Zanker speaks publicly for the first time about her interest in a move to WA
www.afl.com.au
November 25, 2025 at 1:21 AM
glbastiani.bsky.social
In the 2025 #AFLW home and away season Ash Riddell...

Equalled the disposal record (43) in round three
Broke the disposal record (44) in round six
Broke the disposal record (45) in round eight
November 24, 2025 at 11:53 PM
glbastiani.bsky.social
Dakota Davidson's first goal in tonight's preliminary final win was Brisbane's 666th #AFLW goal.
November 22, 2025 at 11:39 AM
glbastiani.bsky.social
Since the cancelled COVID finals series, the loser of each #AFLW Grand Final has gone on to win the next season:

ADL lost 2021, won 2022 S6
MEL lost 2022 S6, won 2022 S7
BRIS lost 2022 S7, won 2023
NM lost 2023, won 2024
BRIS lost 2024, now playing off in the 2025 Grand Final
November 22, 2025 at 10:58 AM
glbastiani.bsky.social
Most goals in an #AFLW final:

4 - RUBY SVARC (PF 2025); Eliza James (ef 2022 s7); Eloise Jones (qf 2023); Tara Bohanna (ef 2023)
3 - 18x players
2 - 86x players
November 22, 2025 at 10:32 AM
glbastiani.bsky.social
Brisbane's return of 6.1 (37) in the third term is its equal-third highest single quarter return in its 107 #AFLW games.
November 22, 2025 at 10:05 AM
glbastiani.bsky.social
Blues don't have an answer for Courtney Hodder's front half influence #AFLWLionsBlues
November 22, 2025 at 9:53 AM