AFLW Clubs to Battle for No. 1 Draft Pick

St Kilda, Collingwood, and Essendon are in a tight race to secure the top selection in the upcoming draft.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Basketball

AFLW Clubs to Battle for No. 1 Draft Pick

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Three AFLW clubs enter the final round of the season facing a critical race for the No. 1 draft pick. The team finishing at the bottom of the ladder will secure the top selection in the draft pool.

Why it matters

Securing the first pick allows clubs to add elite talent like Bailee Martin, who is currently rated as the top player available. Meanwhile, clubs like Brisbane are looking to capitalise on draft picks tied to other teams' performances.

St Kilda currently holds a 43.5 percentage, while Collingwood and Essendon lead them by 9% and 13.1% respectively. All three clubs enter the final round with only one win to their name.

The players

Bailee Martin

She is currently rated as the top-ranked talent within the upcoming AFLW draft pool.

Brisbane Lions

This club maintains a strategic position in the draft by holding multiple picks and targeting four specific Academy players.

St Kilda

The club sits at the bottom of the ladder and faces a pivotal match against Port Adelaide this weekend.

Essendon

The team competes against Collingwood on Sunday in a clash that will influence the final draft order.

Collingwood

The club is currently fighting to avoid the bottom of the ladder during their final match at Windy Hill.

The details

The loser of the match between Essendon and Collingwood has a clear path to the top pick if they fall below St Kilda, who are set to face Port Adelaide. Brisbane Lions remain active in the draft landscape as they hold multiple picks from other clubs and aim to secure four Academy players before rules change.

St Kilda plays Port Adelaide on Saturday afternoon.
Essendon plays Collingwood at Windy Hill on Sunday.

Season Trajectory

This draft race defines the bottom-four narrative of the season and underscores the competitive importance of the AFLW bid-matching rules. Clubs are managing complex trade assets, such as North Melbourne holding Carlton's pick, which shapes the talent distribution for the coming year.

The final ladder percentages will directly dictate whether St Kilda, Collingwood, or Essendon secures the right to select Bailee Martin first. Brisbane's draft capital, including a second-round pick via Collingwood, remains a pivotal factor for those tracking draft-night asset value.

The takeaway

Final round outcomes for bottom-ranked clubs often determine long-term franchise success due to the high value of top draft picks. Fans and analysts should watch the percentage gap closely during Sunday's games to predict the incoming talent distribution.