Montana McKinnon impresses at AFLW’s under-18 national champs, pushes claim for being drafted

Montana McKinnon continues her impressive football form, being named the most valuable player for the Central Allies — a composite NT/SA team — at under-18 champs

Young South Adelaide ruck Montana McKinnon has continued to push her AFLW draft case at the women’s under-18 championships, taking out the most valuable player honour for the Central Allies.

The Central Allies — a team comprising under 18 footballers from South Australia and the Northern Territory — finished off the week-long carnival on Friday with a thrilling one-point win over Queensland.

The 5.0 (30) to 4.5 (29) win was the Central Allies second win of the week, after they beat the Eastern Allies but lost to Western Australia.

The championships were played on the Gold Coast over the past week, with Vic Metro midfielder Georgia Patrikios crowned the overall player of the championships.

An All-Australian side will be announced next week ahead of October’s draft combine followed by the AFLW draft a few weeks later.

The big-jumping McKinnon is widely expected to be named ruck in that All-Australian team when it is announced.