1. Anne Hatchard, Adelaide Crows

Any list describing the top AFLW players this season would be incomplete without Adelaide Crows’ Anne Hatchard.

Hatchard started the season with a bang in the game against top team Brisbane Lions in round 1. She ensured her name would grace headlines by breaking the record for most disposals in an AFLW game, with 35 of them to go with her six tackles and nine marks.

She has continued her assault on the 2020 season, racking up 109 disposals over just the four rounds so far.

In the Crows’ most recent game against Carlton, she added a goal and a behind to her impressive array of stats, cementing her position as one of the top players we’ve seen this year.

 

2. Kiara Bowers, Fremantle Dockers

Bowers has been an absolute force to be reckoned with in 2020 and has been a key component of Fremantle’s success this season.

It’s hard to argue with a midfielder that is averaging 14.5 tackles a game, but as if that weren’t enough, she also kicked an essential goal in Freo’s last match against the Saints that was crucial to their narrow win.

She’s been widely recognised as the star she is, becoming the first AFLW player to score a perfect 10 AFL Coaches votes across five games.

 

3. Jaimee Lambert, Collingwood Magpies

Collingwood’s Jaimee Lambert is another who has been putting on an AFLW masterclass this season. After only the first four rounds, she has racked up an impressive 103 disposals.

Her best game this season has to be the round 3 matchup against Freo that unfortunately saw Collingwood lose by three points.

Lambert, it would seem, was spurred on by the challenge of facing the unbeaten Fremantle and finished with an incredible 32 disposals, eight tackles and a goal.

 

4. Tayla Harris, Carlton Blues

Tayla Harris would probably automatically be a favourite for her attitude towards AFLW haters and sensationalised media, even without her stellar performances on the field. She backs herself up though every week, standing out always as a key figure in Carlton’s attacking line.

With strong hands and steady composure, she is consistent every week and seems to be upping her game. In Carlton’s last match against the Crows, she put away two goals that turned out to be essential to the Baggers’ victory.

 

5. Dana Hooker, West Coast Eagles

The star ex-Docker that jumped ship to cross-town rivals, the West Coast Eagles, has been battling with a vengeance, despite the struggles of her new club.

She is a consistent pillar of composure for the new side, always able to come away from the game with an impressive collection of disposals, tackles and the occasional score.

A key figure in the Eagles’ leadership group, she is doing a great job working with equally-talented Skipper Emma Swanson to develop the expansion team’s hopes for future glory.

In Round 4, the Eagles managed to notch a win onto their belts, so who knows where the club could be headed from here.

6. Kate Lutkins, Brisbane Lions

Brisbane’s Mark of the Year nominee Kate Lutkins is definitely worth a mention on this list. She is the anchor of the Lions’ backline, having played a consistent four rounds in a centre half-back role.

The star defender has a fantastic read on the ball and has been instrumental to Brisbane’s efforts to stop opposition goals, helping them to maintain their position on top of Conference A.

It will be fascinating to see what she brings in Round 5, when the top two teams from each conference go head-to-head at Freo’s home ground in Perth.

 

7. Daisy Pearce, Melbourne Demons

Demons captain and much-loved AFLW icon Daisy Pearce has to make it onto the Top Players list for her efforts so far in 2020.

Playing a half-back flank role this season, she has been consistently valuable to the Demons’ backline, and is one of the most effective players in that position in the league.

Her side are currently sitting second on the ladder in Conference B, so it will be exciting to see what she brings to the games as the pressure is amped up in the lead-up to finals.

 

8. Roxanne Roux, Fremantle Dockers

Debuting for Fremantle in their Round 1 game against Geelong, the affectionately nicknamed Roxy Roux proved herself a valuable addition to the team. She was Freo’s first pick in the 2019 draft and she has played a ripper of a season so far, doing well to be a consistent player that can convert possessions onto the scoreboard.

Round 4 was the first game in which she was unable to kick a goal for Freo, although, in her defence, the Saints played such a strong defensive game that few Dockers managed to get a look at the posts.

 

9. Madison Prespakis, Carlton

Joining Tayla Harris this season as a top player for the Baggers is 2019 All-Australian and Rising Star Maddy Prespakis. Maddy is a gun midfielder that is well-recognised for her achievements on the field.

She has been as impressive as ever this season, consistently racking up the disposal count while also adding a few goals to her collection.

Her fierce talent will undoubtedly be instrumental in the Round 5 game against the Saints, who have impressed in their last two games, seemingly determined to make their mark on their debut season.

 

10. Karen Paxman, Melbourne Demons

It seems fitting that Melbourne’s captain and vice-captain would grace the Top Ten list together and Paxman’s place on the list is definitely well-deserved.

Playing as ruck-rover, she has been an essential component of the Dees’ midfield and has totalled 81 disposals so far after Round 4.

Sitting second on the ladder in Conference B only by percentage, fans will have to hope that Paxman and Pearce can guide the Dees to another victory, this time against the West Coast Eagles, who are fresh off their first-ever win.