Significant overhaul and changes were made to composition of the competition ahead of the 2018 season. With the establishment of the national
AFL Women's competition in 2017, the league sought to affiliate clubs more closely to existing AFL/AFLW clubs. Consequently five foundation clubs departed; leaving Darebin, Melbourne University and VU Western Spurs (who were taken over by and renamed the Western Bulldogs to align with the AFL club) as the remaining clubs. The departing clubs were replaced by the AFL-aligned , , , and , the VFL-aligned and , and the
North East Australian Football League (NEAFL)-aligned ; Northern Territory aligned with 's AFLW team, giving Crows players an opportunity to play in the Victorian competition. The thirteen clubs were as follows: • , , , , , , , • , , , , ==Ladder==