All Hallows’ Schools’ Rania Crozier and Siena Catholic College’s Sophie Peters on trajectory to AFLW Draft

A Maroochydoore young gun and an Aspley Hornets hero off the back of ACL surgery will be among the next generation of AFLW stars glimpsed in the 2023 NAB AFLW Academy squad.

Sophie Peters of Maroochydoore (left) and Rania Crozier of Aspley (right).

Brisbane Lions Academy schoolgirls Sophie Peters and Rania Crozier have earned selection in the 2023 NAB AFLW Academy, a squad of 30 which last year produced more than 20 draft picks.

The squad is made up of the most talented 17-year-old footballers across the country and if that wasn’t enough already for the two 17-year-olds, there is even more reason to celebrate given where they have come from.

Players in the squad will be eligible in the 2023 NAB AFLW Draft and will participate in high performance and personal development programs throughout next season before playing matches in April and June.

For Siena Catholic College’s Peters, the call up couldn’t have come at a better time.

The Maroochydore product received a call from coach Tarkyn Lockyer in the middle of exam block, only days before graduating high school and heading off to Schoolies.

Not to mention the squad announcement aligns with her going to the AFLW grand final on Friday.

Sophie Peters.

Aside from the incredible timing, it came as a welcome surprise for Peters who said she didn’t think she’d make it.

“I honestly had completely forgotten about National Academy and didn’t think it was a possibility for me to be selected in,” she said.

“Girls like Ella Smith (West Coast Eagles forward) who made it last year. She’s insane, like really, really good, so I didn’t think that I was good enough to make it in the first place.

“It was very much a shock but it was a good shock.”

The selections were made off the National Championships earlier in the year where Peters was an underage player for the competition, so she had less reason to think she’d be selected.

Peters grew up playing soccer before falling in love with Aussie rules Football at 13. Playing at the wing position, Peters says she loved the space she had and how she could run and carry the ball a lot.

“I really like the way Jade Ellinger and Sophie Conway play.

“Her kick is insane and Ellinger’s athleticism and ability to run and carry is something I admire a lot. I definitely try to play a lot like Jade because it works for her.”

When asked about becoming eligible for the Draft, Peters said: “In juniors I didn’t think of it that much but in under 17s and seniors this year it, as AFLW is growing, became a reality so ever since then I’ve wanted to play.”

She said growing up playing football in a boys’ team helped her with her competitive edge and trying to prove herself, which translated into the contact sport of Aussie rules.

Sophie Peters on the left.

Peters, who received a triple treat earning selection, graduating high school and heading off Schoolies, said she looked forward to meeting new girls from around the country and developing her skills in the camps.

“It’s an insane way to finish the year. I’m excited about finishing school and to be named in a National Academy, I am over the moon. It’s the cherry on top.”

Rania Crozier (front).

Gaining selection was also special for All Hallows’ School Year 11 student Crozier, who was also shocked and unexpected.

“I was taken back, I was just studying in the office when I got the call from an unknown number. I am so excited at the opportunity.”

Crozier, who had anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscus surgery at the beginning of 2021, was only playing her first games back at the National Championships.

“It wasn’t my best performance but I had a great QAFLW season. I was surprised I could even be looked at off the carnival performance.”

The Aspley Hornets young gun didn’t play in 2021, and her first bit of footy back was a big jump to QAFL seniors, her last game before then an under-15 final in 2020 for Wilston Grange.

“It sucked that I couldn’t play, but I took it one step at a time.

“It’s a trialling process. You have no muscle and at the back of my head was: ‘what if I redo it?’”

Crozier started playing in under-9s. Her brother Saxon, a Gregory Terrace Old Boy who is also very handy, played every weekend and that was enough for Rania to give it a go.

Rania Crozier in action for Aspley.

The young key forward models her game off Brisbane Lion Jesse Wardlaw. “She’s a great forward. I love her leap. That’s one of my favourite things. She’s strong and I take that from her game.

“Pulling on the Lions jersey is a dream of mine … it’s incredible.

“I am still shocked to be in the squad. Last year the stats about girls being drafted from the squad into the AFLW are crazy.

“It puts me in a higher chance and it’s a great opportunity. I couldn’t be more grateful for that.

“It makes all the steps along the way more rewarding and for the people that helped you — it’s like I did it for them as well. My family, and the girls around me. The club, they are like a family.”

“Hopefully (this) leads to prospects for AFLW. That’s the dream.”