WELCOME to the home of AFLW, Lily.
After being selected with pick No.24 in the 2025 Telstra AFL Women’s Draft, Lily Baxter will now call IKON Park home.
A wing/defender who played her football for South Adelaide, Baxter adds to the host of young talent which the Blues have welcomed in recent seasons.
A versatile prospect, Baxter is an athletic youngster who can feature on both the wing and across half-back, impressing all comers with her clean hands and discipline in her role.
Featuring for South Adelaide at SANFLW level this year, Baxter has been a key part of the Panthers’ all-conquering team since she was 16, playing in three straight Grand Finals including two premiership wins.
In the past three seasons, Baxter has played 39 games for the Panthers, and has shown her capacity for owning the big moment by kicking a clutch winning goal against Glenelg (2023) and Central District (2025).
One of her best performances of the season came in the preliminary final against Sturt, accumulating 24 disposals and kicking a goal to remind draft watchers exactly what she’s capable of.
Baxter has only been a central part of South Australia’s national carnival side, playing all four games this year to her three in 2024, where she was a teammate of rising Carlton star, Poppy Scholz.
Highly touted for her character and scope for future development, Carlton Head of AFLW Ash Naulty said Baxter was the perfect fit at IKON Park.
“We’re absolutely delighted to be able to welcome Lily to our football club,” Naulty said.
“During the trade period, we were able to welcome some established talent while also maintaining a presence in the first round in this year’s draft: with Lily, we really believe we’re adding another long-term player for our club.
“Lily is someone who has been on draft radars for a number of years, having been a member of the AFL Academy. Her ability at 18 to play a number of roles really stands out and she’s a team-first player.
“Lily has a really high athletic ceiling, she already has great running patterns and is disciplined to play her role. We’re a club that has gone to the draft heavily in recent years to welcome some elite young talent through the door, and Lily only adds to that.
“We can’t wait to welcome Lily and her family to IKON Park.”
