AFLW sides GWS, Gold Coast, and Collingwood have all been granted assistance packages by the league in a bid to rapidly speed up their improvement.
The Suns claimed the wooden spoon after a two-win 2025 campaign, but fell narrowly short of the 17th-placed Giants, who also saluted twice in the season.
The Pies weren't much better, claiming three victories for the season.
All three were placed at the bottom of the 2024 ladder, combining for three wins and two draws.
League powerbrokers have provided GWS with Pick 3 in the 2025 AFL Draft as well as 19 in 2026.
"We are grateful for the support and co-operation of the AFL as we have worked together on where our program has been, and where it needs to build to," Giants CEO David Matthews said.
"The National Draft has been the biggest equaliser for the AFLW competition, but it has only been in existence for one year, and the inherent challenges of operating a foundation club in a non-traditional football market have presented unique
"Our submission outlined and acknowledged these challenges and outlined ways to accelerate our club's development, given the importance of an even and close competition to the broader growth of the AFLW.
"We have made significant changes to our program to accelerate this progress and invest significantly in our program to ensure we have the appropriate resourcing to be successful.
"It continues to be our intent to be a club like no other, that both wins premierships and enriches the lives of our community."
Both Collingwood and Gold Coast will receive two additional list spots for the 2026 AFLW season. However, the following season, the Suns will retain the extra vacancies while the Pies will only hold one in 2027.
AFL EGM of Football Operations, Laura Kane, said the assistance packages were designed to help improve the trio of clubs' on-field performances.
"Gold Coast has had three wins over the past two years, resulting in a 15 per cent win rate," Kane said.
"We want these clubs to return to being competitive after several years of consistent underperformance, and after extensive consultation with them, we believe this package is structured to support that goal."
