This draft will feature players from the AFL's inaugural women's academy - 33 women who since January have received specialist coaching and tutelage under the league's expert development gurus.

Because of their age only half of the academy are eligible for the 2017 draft, however their presence - plus a swag of other talent from around Australia - means this year's crop of youngsters will provide fierce competition for starting spots in AFLW teams.

Note: In the AFLW draft players nominate which state's draft pool they wish to be in and can only be picked by teams in that state.

Monique Conti - 17 (age), midfielder, Calder Cannons/Melbourne University (VIC)

Inspired by basketball and AFLW star Erin Phillips, Conti has committed to pursuing both sports professionally. She plays in the WNBL for the Melbourne Boomers and has represented Australia in basketball at youth level, but the 165cm dynamo is just as adept on the footy field, with some predicting she will be selected at pick one or two in the draft.

AFL scouting report says: "Small midfielder with elite power, clean hands and superb goal sense. Strong overhead for her size and very competitive one-on-one. Recognised as the 2016-17 WNBL rookie of the year."

Chloe Molloy - forward, Calder Cannons/Diamond Creek (VIC)

Molloy returned to footy in early 2017. She hadn't played since was 13 (she's now 18) and in between was a gun basketballer, most recently for the Melbourne Boomers. Since returning to footy she has won the goalkicking in the VFLW and TAC Cup women's competitions. Missed combine testing due to an arm injury from the VFLW grand final but is all but assured of being a top five pick.

AFL scouting report says: "Finished the season with a plethora of awards, including VFLW Rising Star and VFLW leading goalkicker. Not only a forward, has shown the ability to play as a tagger too."

Isabel Huntington - forward, Sandringham Dragons/Melbourne University (VIC)

The left-footer is tipped by many to possibly be the no.1 pick even though a knee reconstruction (in September 2016, resulting in a year out of the game) has brought her back to the pack a little. Like Molloy she is a prolific goal kicker and has even run through the midfield at times.

AFL scouting report says: "Key forward who played a starring role in the 2016 AFL youth girls' national championships, booting five goals and racking up more than 30 possessions in a single game."

???Haneen Zreika - midfielder, Auburn Giants (NSW)

Zreika had to stop playing rugby league at age 12 because she was a girl. Then at school one day, aged 14, she was encouraged by a teacher to try AFL. She hasn't looked back. Zreika is a tough inside midfielder, something the Giants need in their line up based on their AFLW season 2017.

AFL scouting report says: "Midfielder who rarely gets beaten in a one-on-one contest. Has great ball-winning ability with the capacity to run and be an outside player too."

Darcy Guttridge - defender/midfielder, Cranbourne Eagles/Gippsland Power (VIC)

That real modern half-back interceptor type who provides run and even more importantly leadership to any team she is a part of, having captained the Vic Country and All Australian u/18 side. Says she models her game on Carlton's Brianna Davey, and if she is anywhere near the player that Davey is her AFLW club will have a gem on their hands.

AFL scouting report says: "Elite defender/midfielder who stood out at the AFLW u/18 championships. Provides class, run and ball-winning ability."

???

???Kalinda Howarth - forward, Coolangatta Bluebirds/Gold Coast Suns trainee (QLD)

Unfortunately for the Suns - who won't enter the AFLW until 2020 - it's likely they'll lose their gun forward to the Brisbane Lions, but reports have suggested the Lions would remarkably let Howarth go back to the Suns for the 2020 AFLW season. The Lions need her too, having lost Tayla Harris to Carlton in the trade period.

AFL scouting report says: "Light-framed, medium-sized forward who is strong overhead and has great evasive skills. Clean by hand and confident in front of goal."

Eloise Jones - midfielder, Morphettville Park/Glenelg (SA)

Jones is the complete midfielder - explosive, tough, defensively sound and more than able to push forward and kick goals. Recruiters say she has stood out in every team she's lined up for in representative games and is the clear premier player from the South Australian crop of talent.

AFL scouting report says: "An elite decision-maker who rarely fumbles. Good kick and comfortable in front of goal."

Eden Zanker - forward/ruck, Woorineen/Bendigo Pioneers (VIC)

Yet another player who's only recently returned to Australian Rules Football - she played netball up until about a year ago - Zanker has impressed through the inaugural women's TAC Cup season and was selected in the team of the year. Described as one Victorian women's football talent staffer as "a natural footballer despite time off from the game", Zanker has shot into top 10 contention.

AFL scouting report says: "Leaping machine who is rarely beaten when attempting to mark on the lead or overhead."

???Tayla McAuliffe - ruck/key position, Swan Districts (WA)

It's hard to predict what Fremantle will do in the draft, according to recruiters out west, but of the state's crop of talent its widely accepted that McAuliffe is one of the top few players on offer to the AFLW. She represented WA at athletics as a teenager, competing at a high level in everything from javelin, discus to the 100m sprint.

AFL scouting report says: "A fierce competitor in the ruck who's also strong at either end of the ground. Wins contested ball and tackles aggressively."

Em McGuire - forward, Swan Districts (WA)

One of the star indigenous players in the draft. McGuire wasn't able to make the recent draft combine due to work commitments but that is unlikely to affect her chances in the draft, such is her body of work in football.

WAFC scouting report says: "Very mobile for her size and has the ability to snap goals, kick them on the run or boot them after a big mark."

2017 AFLW draft picks by club

Western Bulldogs: 1, 4, 11, 19, 27, 34

Fremantle: 2, 10, 18, 26, 33, 40, 44

Collingwood: 3, 9, 13, 20, 21, 35

Greater Western Sydney: 5, 17, 25, 39, 43, 47, 49

Melbourne: 6, 14, 22, 30

Brisbane Lions: 7, 15, 23, 31, 37, 41, 45, 48

Adelaide: 8, 16, 24, 32, 38, 42, 46

Carlton: 12, 28, 29, 36