The AFL invited 33 of the best junior female players in Australia to the AIS this week to complete a series of academy skills drills and testing to set them up to be drafted by clubs at the end of the year.

It comes two weeks before the competition breaks new ground with the opening round of the eight-team season on February 3.

But age restrictions mean a talented group of juniors are being forced to wait patiently for a chance to live a dream they thought would never become a reality.

Isabel Huntington has already shown she can step on to the big stage, booting five goals and grabbing 30 possessions in a junior grand final at the MCG six months ago.

"But I feel really lucky to be the right age to be a part of the development," Huntington said.

"It has really skyrocketed lately and everyone feels privileged to be here. I've been playing since I was a kid, following in my brother's footsteps.

"When the competition got announced, it really motivated me even more. Everyone's trying harder and aiming to get drafted because we do have that opportunity there."

Huntington is recovering from a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament but was still included in the first intake of rising female talent.

She is considered a future No. 1 draft pick candidate alongside Holbrook's Alyce Parker, who was also included in the camp despite injuring her ankle.

The academy program mirrors the one used to develop players in the men's competition and AFL officials expect the standard and popularity to boom when the AFL Women's campaign starts.

Western Bulldogs star Aasta O'Connor has been given the task of ushering in a new generation and clubs have asked for testing records to cast their eye over the talent.

The players were put through a series of drills on Tuesday and their lungs will be bursting by the end of the week when they put everything into a two kilometre time trial.

"We're creating history, which is what the [AFL Women's competition] is all about," O'Connor said.

"To watch them grow and develop is really special. You can't be what you can't see so the girls coming through the pathway see the AFLW and they can strive towards that.

"There are some diamonds in the rough here and the earlier they pick up a footy, the better they will become."

Former Canberra Capitals skipper Jess Bibby is part of the GWS Giants leadership group while former Belconnen player Elise O'Dea will be a vice-captain at the Melbourne Demons.

O'Dea will join Daisy Pearce, widely regarded as the best female player, in Melbourne's leadership group.