Australia’s AFLW competition has a new standout star. Ash Riddell has just capped off a record-breaking season with the North Melbourne Football Club, earning the league’s best and fairest award in 2025. In doing so, she has cemented her place among the competition’s elite and set a bold path for what’s next in her career.
Early Life and Rise to AFLW
Ash Riddell (born 7 March 1996 in Melbourne) grew up playing junior football in Melbourne’s north-east for the Eltham Panthers, before exploring basketball as a teenager. Her return to football in 2016 came as the AFLW pathway was emerging. Wikipedia+1
Riddell then joined Fitzroy in the Victorian Women’s Football League (VWFL) and in 2017 moved to a VFLW affiliate, where she was named in the Team of the Year. Wikipedia+1
Despite being overlooked in the 2017 AFLW draft, she signed with North Melbourne as a free agent in late 2018 and made her debut in Round 1 of the 2019 season. Wikipedia
Her rise is remarkable: from non-draftee to one of the competition’s most dependable midfielders, Riddell’s development offers insight into the AFLW’s growing depth and opportunity.
2025 Season: Record-Breaking Performance
The 2025 AFLW season marked a major milestone for Riddell. She dominated in key midfield statistics: disposals, clearances and influence on games. For example: in earlier seasons she led the competition for disposals with averages close to 29 per game. Wikipedia+1
In 2025 she was awarded the league’s best and fairest award—a recognition of consistency, impact and durability across the season. Yahoo News Australia+1
Her performance also helped elevate North Melbourne’s competitiveness, offering a blueprint for mid-tier clubs to build around elite midfielders.
Style of Play & Key Strengths
Riddell’s style is characterised by:
- Exceptional ball-winning ability, especially in contested situations.
- Elite disposal efficiency and decision-making under pressure.
- High endurance and work-rate, enabling sustained impact across games.
- Leadership on and off-field, setting a standard for younger players.
Her evolution from a developmental player into a dominant midfielder reflects both individual work ethic and the improved support structures within AFLW clubs.
Challenges & Milestones Along the Way
Like many players, Riddell faced setbacks:
- After being passed over in the 2017 draft, she used the VFLW as a springboard. Wikipedia
- In her debut year (2019), she suffered an ankle injury that cut her season short. Wikipedia
These obstacles framed her resilience and determination—qualities crucial in elite sport.
Impact on North Melbourne and AFLW
Riddell’s rise is significant for North Melbourne:
- She offers a generational midfield presence around which the club can build.
- Her success shines a light on the value of investing in women’s pathways and managing talent long-term.
For the AFLW more broadly: - Her story emphasises that players can emerge outside the draft spotlight and thrive.
- Her statistical dominance sets new benchmarks for what midfielders can achieve in the league.
Off the Field: Leadership & Future Ambitions
Beyond game day, Riddell plays a role in leadership and development:
- She has engaged in mentoring younger teammates and promoting grassroots women’s footy.
- According to her LinkedIn profile, she is involved in coaching and inspiring next-generation athletes. LinkedIn Australia
Looking ahead, Riddell aims to enhance her game further: refining her impact in finals, contributing to team success, and perhaps taking on club leadership roles.
What’s Next: 2026 and Beyond
For 2026 and beyond, key areas likely include:
- Maintaining durability and avoiding major injuries.
- Expanding her influence in finals campaigns—turning individual performance into team success.
- Further leadership roles, possibly captaincy or mentoring programs.
- Off-field opportunities: media, coaching, and community involvement—leveraging her growing profile.
Her trajectory positions her to become one of the defining players of her generation in the AFLW.
Why Australian Fans Should Pay Attention
- She is an Australian-born talent whose story reflects the national football pathway.
- Her performance raises the standard in the AFLW which benefits fans and the sport’s growth nationally.
- Her off-field engagement encourages youth participation and diversity in the game.
In sum, Riddell represents both current elite performance and future potential for Australian women’s football.
Conclusion
Ash Riddell’s 2025 season puts her firmly into the conversation as one of the AFLW’s great midfielders. Her journey—from overlooked draft prospect to award-winning star—is a testament to resilience, skill and opportunity. With her club and league ambitions aligned, Australian football fans have much to look forward to from Riddell’s next chapter.
People Also Ask
Q1. Who is Ash Riddell?
Ash Riddell (born 7 March 1996) is an Australian rules footballer who plays for North Melbourne in the AFL Women’s League (AFLW). Wikipedia
Q2. Which club does Ash Riddell play for?
She plays for the North Melbourne Football Club in the AFLW. Wikipedia+1
Q3. When did Ash Riddell make her debut?
She made her AFLW debut in Round 1 of the 2019 season after signing as a free agent in 2018. Wikipedia
Q4. What position does Ash Riddell play?
Her primary position is midfielder, where she excels in ball-winning and disposal impact. Wikipedia
Q5. What are Ash Riddell’s height and physical details?
She is 158 cm tall, playing with guernsey number 7. Wikipedia
Q6. What major awards has she won?
She was the AFLW best and fairest in 2025 and a five-time All-Australian selection. Wikipedia+1
Q7. How many games has Ash Riddell played?
As of finals week 3, 2025, she has played 84 games and kicked 19 goals. Wikipedia
Q8. What was her original junior club?
She played junior footy for Eltham Panthers in Melbourne’s north-east. Wikipedia
Q9. Did she play another sport?
Yes, she switched to basketball as a teenager before returning to football. Wikipedia
Q10. Was she drafted initially?
No, she was overlooked in the 2017 AFLW draft and later signed as a free agent. Wikipedia+1
Q11. How many times has she been All-Australian?
She has been selected in the AFLW All-Australian team five times. Wikipedia
Q12. What was her standout record?
At one point she averaged nearly 30 disposals a game and led the league in that metric. Wikipedia+1
Q13. What challenges has she faced?
She faced being overlooked in the draft and suffered a major ankle injury in her debut season. Wikipedia
Q14. What is her impact on North Melbourne?
She provides elite midfield quality and leadership, raising the club’s competitive prospects.
Q15. What makes her style unique?
Her combination of high work-rate, decision-making and ball control sets her apart in the AFLW.
Q16. Is she involved off the field?
Yes—she mentors younger players and is involved in football development programs. LinkedIn Australia
Q17. What are her future goals?
To sustain elite performance, win a premiership, and enhance her leadership role.
Q18. How does she contribute to Australian football broadly?
She’s a role model for female athletes and helps raise the profile of women’s footy in Australia.
Q19. Has she been nominated for other awards?
Yes, several seasons she finished highly in club best & fairest and league voting.
Q20. How consistent has she been?
Very consistent—her statistics and recognition show sustained performance over years.
Q21. What was her best season to date?
2025 is arguably her best, culminating in the best and fairest award.
Q22. Has she switched clubs?
No—she has remained with North Melbourne since debuting.
Q23. What number does she wear?
She wears guernsey number 7 for North Melbourne. Wikipedia
Q24. What is her educational background?
She has worked as a teacher and coach, reflecting a strong off-field foundation. LinkedIn Australia
Q25. How did she handle being overlooked early in her career?
She built her way via the VFLW, developed her game, then earned a top AFLW contract—demonstrating resilience.
Q26. What are her strengths in finals?
Her ability to win contested possessions, stay fit and influence outcomes under pressure.
Q27. What is the significance of her best and fairest award?
It marks her as the top player in the competition for 2025, a major personal and club milestone. Yahoo News Australia
Q28. How do fans view her?
She is viewed as a workhorse, elite midfielder and role model for aspiring players.
Q29. Does she have any endorsements?
Public info is limited, but her profile suggests commercial endorsement potential.
Q30. What is her contract status?
She re-signed with North Melbourne in June 2022 for two more seasons. Wikipedia
Q31. What milestones has she achieved?
Five All-Australian selections, best and fairest award, league disposals leader—key milestones.
Q32. What does she bring to team culture?
Work ethic, leadership by example, mentoring younger players and professionalism.
Q33. What’s next for her statistically?
Maintaining high disposal numbers, increasing clearances and impact in finals.
Q34. Is she involved in community programs?
Yes—she has coaching and mentoring roles supporting grassroots women’s footy.
Q35. Are injuries a concern?
Yes—like all elite athletes, durability is important; she has had past injury setbacks.
Q36. What did club officials say about her?
They praise her consistency, professionalism and influence.
Q37. How has her game changed recently?
She has developed his endurance, improved decision-making and refined her ball use.
Q38. Does she aspire to captaincy?
While not publicly confirmed, her leadership trajectory suggests it could be a future goal.
Q39. How has the AFLW changed during her career?
The league has grown in professionalism, depth and media attention—Riddell is part of that evolution.
Q40. What advice might she give to young players?
Work hard, stay resilient, develop outside the spotlight and focus on your preparation.
Q41. What barriers has she overcome?
Being overlooked in the draft, serious injury, and proving her value at elite level.
Q42. How important is versatility in her game?
Very important—midfield dominance, pressure situations and adaptability define her value.
Q43. How has North Melbourne honoured her?
Through recognition within club awards and building around her core midfield presence.
Q44. What challenges lie ahead for her club?
Winning a premiership, consistent finals success and maintaining elite support staff and culture.
Q45. How does she compare to other top midfielders?
Her work‐rate and consistency rank her among the very best; comparisons will intensify as she continues.
Q46. What role does she play in the game’s growth?
She is a visible example for women’s football, showing pathways from grassroots to elite.
Q47. What impact will her best and fairest award have?
It enhances her profile, boosts club and league interest, and elevates her commercial appeal.
Q48. How does she handle media and pressure?
She appears composed, focused and professional—balancing performance and personal brand.
Q49. What is her legacy likely to be?
A dominant mid-career midfielder who helped elevate her club and league, and inspired younger players.
Q50. Why is Ash Riddell important for Australian football fans?
She embodies strong performance, resilient pathways, leadership and the future of women’s football in Australia.
