Another pre-season means another edition of Sarah Black's Top 30 to count down the 30 days until the 2022 NAB AFLW season.

The top 30 has been based on form shown in the 2021 season. Players who hung up the boots at the conclusion of the season have also not been considered.

All-Australian selection and both AFLW and club best and fairest results have helped contribute to shape the rankings, as well as feedback from industry officials.

Let the debate commence!

SARAH BLACK'S TOP 30 Click here for 30-21
SARAH BLACK'S TOP 30 Click here for 20-16

No.15 KATE LUTKINS (Brisbane)

Previous rankings: No.11 2021, No.21 2020 

Reinforced her reputation as a big-game player by being named best on ground in the 2021 Grand Final, despite playing with a torn planta fascia in her left foot and damage in her right.

The key back is one of the best readers of the play in the AFLW, her reach and overhead marking holding her in good stead in one of the toughest roles in football.

Lutkins was named All-Australian and finished fourth in Brisbane's best and fairest, averaging 12.4 disposals at 73.5 per cent efficiency, 214.4m gained, 6.3 intercepts and 4.0 marks.

No.14 ASH RIDDELL (North Melbourne)

Previous rankings: No.17 2021, N/A 2020

Slides under the radar as the third midfielder at North Melbourne behind Jas Garner and Emma Kearney, but Riddell's consistency is outstanding.

A small but agile player, Riddell has excellent speed away from the contest and continually pops up around stoppages, where her elusiveness comes to the fore.

Finishing third in North Melbourne's best and fairest, Riddell averaged 21.8 disposals (eighth overall), 331m gained, 4.5 tackles and 4.1 clearances in a well-rounded season.

No.13 TYLA HANKS (Melbourne)

Previous rankings: N/A

Fairly quiet and mild-mannered off the field, Hanks has a steely inner competitive drive that took her to the NAB AFLW Rising Star award in her third season.

A smaller midfielder at just 157cm, Hanks is a tough inside midfielder who covers the ground well, has an excellent footy brain and a precise kick.

Hanks finished equal-first in Melbourne's best and fairest and was named in the All-Australian squad, averaging 18.7 disposals, 230.6m gained, 4.7 tackles and 3.4 clearances.

No.12 CHLOE MOLLOY (Collingwood)

Previous rankings: No.29 2021, No.25 2020

A genuine match-winner, Molloy played 2021 as a hybrid forward – capable of taking contested marks and losing defenders at ground level with her evasiveness.

A versatile player who has spent time across all three lines, Molloy kicked 16 goals for the season – the equal-most in the AFLW if finals are taken into account.

Molloy was named All-Australian and finished sixth in the Pies' best and fairest, averaging 8.5 disposals.

>> Sync the Kangaroos' 2022 AFLW fixture to your calendar now!

No.11 EMMA KEARNEY (North Melbourne)

Previous rankings: No.5 2021, No.2 2020

The North Melbourne skipper's incredible consistency continued in 2021, continually drawing the best defensive midfielder from the opposition.

Kearney's line-breaking run and carry, combined with her pin-point kicking and strength in stoppages, led to her record fifth All-Australian selection.

She finished second in North Melbourne's best and fairest after averaging 20.8 disposals, 311.2m gained, 4.6 tackles and 3.9 clearances