NZ Heritage Stars Jasmine Garner and Breann Harrington featured in the AFLW’s unofficial team of the decade, with Lauren Pierce just missing out on a spot.
2026 marks, 10 years of the AFLW, and since the competition was first introduced back in 2017, it has changed drastically. Evolving fast, the game has valued different types of players, strategies and skills over the decade.
Some players were left behind as the competition grew, with their skills suiting the way the early game was played, but struggling to keep up with the games development, while others have adapted and proven their capacity to grow alongside it.
Many love, and talented players have missed out, as is the nature of 955 players who have run out for at least one game, being crammed into a team of just 21.
Eligibility criteria:
- Minimum 50 games
- Minimum six seasons
- Selected with positional focus (it’s not just a team of midfielders)
THE TEAM
B: Sarah Allan (ADL), Breanna Koenen (BRIS)
HB: Emma Kearney (WB/NM), Libby Birch (WB/MEL/NM), Chelsea Randall (ADL)
C: Sophie Conway (BRIS), Monique Conti (WB/RICH), Paxy Paxman (MEL)
HF: Courtney Hodder (BRIS), Chloe Molloy (COLL/SYD), Erin Phillips (ADL/PORT)
F: Kate Hore (MEL), Gemma Houghton (FREO/PORT)
Foll: Breann Harrington (CAR), Ebony Marinoff (ADL), Jasmine Garner (COLL/NM)
I/C: Daisy Pearce (MEL), Ally Anderson (BRIS), Emily Bates (BRIS/HAW), Anne Hatchard (ADL/GCS), Ellie Blackburn (WB)
Stiff to miss:
Ashleigh Riddell (NM), Danielle Ponter (ADL), Meghan McDonald (WB/GEE), Darcy Vescio (CAR), Cora Staunton (GWS), Mim Strom (FREO), Lauren Pearce (MEL), Brianna Davey (CAR/COLL), Jaimee Lambert (WB/COLL/STK), Kate Lutkins (BRIS), Ruby Schleicher (COLL), Madison Prespakis (CAR/ESS), Kiara Bowers (FREO, ineligible)
Jasmine Garner, Collingwood/North Melbourne (2017-), Midfield
103 games (15 games); 8x All Australian (2019-2025); 2x premiership player (2024, 2025); North Melbourne captain 2025-; North Melbourne leading goalkicker 2021, 2022 S6; North Melbourne best and fairest 2020, 2021, 2022 S7-2024; Grand Final best on ground 2024; All Australian captain 2022 S7, 2024, 2025
Widely deemed the best player in the League, Jasmine Garner’s progression from pure key forward at Collingwood, to a midfielder who kicks even more goals than when she was simply a forward changed expectations for midfielders everywhere. More recently, Garner has added leadership and flags to her haul of accolades. An obvious inclusion.
Breann Harrington, Carlton (2017-), Ruck
93 games (6 finals); 2x All Australian (2021, 2022 S7); Carlton leading goalkicker 2022 S7, 2024; Carlton best and fairest 2018, 2023
While other rucks have had better seasons here and there than Breann Harrington throughout the AFLW, she has been arguably the most consistent in such a specialised role over the years. Combining her deft tap work with strength, speed, and contested marking, Harrington also added an important layer of attack to her game in recent seasons.
Read the full story at AFL.co.au
