AFL Sydney’s brightest young U19s male and female talent from across the competition
The future of the AFL and AFLW is on show right before our eyes. We look at 40 of the top-line talents from across the AFL Sydney competitions who are making a big impact.
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With Aussie rules continuing to rise in greater Sydney, the next generation of AFL and AFLW talent is on show.
As the junior ranks continue to grow and the elite youngsters get a shot in open division, we look at 40 of the best U19s male and female talent in AFL Sydney.
Bili Robertson (UTS Bats)
19, ruck rover/wing
Bili is blessed with incredible speed and skill. He has played the bulk of his football so far across the wing but is now going inside into the source of the contest and making a fantastic impact in the midfield. Bili always brings a warm smile and is loved by his teammates for both his efforts and creativity on field as well as his great sense of humour and willingness to learn as a player. His potential has no limits.
George Boyd (UTS Bats)
18, utility
George has played in many different roles in his short time with the so far and has handled every one of those incredibly well. He is a versatile player that is highly skilled, clean and has genuine poise around the contest. These ultimately are skills that will enable George to go incredibly far in his football career. George has a strong work ethic, is always respectful and brings a smile to his teammates and coaches every session. When things are tough George is the one helping his teammates to lift and find a way through it. He is a natural leader.
Amelie Prosser-Shaw (East Coast Eagles)
16, wing
Amelie is a super talented outside player who has a big engine and good leg speed. Her ability to link the backline to the forward line through her run and carry is a huge asset. She is extremely coachable and has very good foot skills so is able to hit targets consistently.
Savannah Codd (East Coast Eagles)
16, wing
Sav is a developing player with a huge appetite for the contest. For a player of smaller stature, her tackle pressure stands out.
Melanie Staunton (East Coast Eagles)
18, midfield/half-forward
Mel is a super talent who has a penetrating kick. Mel was named BOG in the U18 Australian vs U23 All Stars game in June.
Nellie McMillan (East Coast Eagles)
19, midfield
Nellie is a super competitive midfielder who has the ability to find the footy consistently. She is a tough in and under player who has come along way in 2023.
Olivia Morris (Pennant Hills)
17, midfield
Has the most natural talent out of all of the juniors that has come through at Pennant Hills. Her attack on the footy and ability to kick the ball from any angle at accuracy is her greatest strength.
Eliza Matthews (Pennant Hills)
15, midfield
Is never afraid to put her head over the ball, which has been pleasingly evident in her short tenure in Premier Division footy. Her tackle pressure is also outstanding and brings a strong and smart body in the midfield.
Cassidy McArthur (Pennant Hills)
15, wing/forward
An agile, fast and confident player, who has shown she isn’t afraid to take on the game with run and carry. Cass has outstanding skills, and her Premier Division debut during the last weekend of July showed that she is more than capable of playing at such a high level at such a young age. She will continue to develop and will be a future player to watch
Daniel Gauci (East Coast Eagles)
18, midfield
Gauch is an elite talent having been one of the best performers for the Giants through the talent league in 2023 and has also played several games at VFL level already for the Giants. Dan is an out and out ball winner. At 18 he is their leading clearance player and leads the team in disposals. He is clean, smart, fit, fast and makes good decisions by hand and foot under pressure. He still has plenty of upside and has a bright future ahead.
Jacob Jones (East Coast Eagles)
18, midfield/forward
Jacob is clean, possesses elite footy IQ, is a great decision maker and user of the ball by hand or foot. He can go forward and impact the scoreboard and is good both on the inside and the outside. A main stay in the Giants academy midfield throughout the talent league this year notwithstanding an injury plagued season. Has no shortage of talent and plenty of upside as he matures and gets stronger.
Harrison Elbourne (East Coast Eagles)
19, midfield/half-back
Bont has had an amazing first year with the Eagles. He has been the most consistent player all year, is fit, strong and highly competitive. His ability to win the 1v1 and take an intercept or contested mark are his real strengths. His development in the past 12 months is a credit to his work rate and application. Harry has transitioned from HB to midfield recently and has done so with ease. A real asset to the Eagles and his development trajectory is second to none.
Josaia Delana (East Coast Eagles)
17, forward/midfield
Joey has elite fitness and an attitude that makes him a joy to be around. While he has plenty of natural talent and x-factor, he does not use this as an excuse to not apply himself. His work rate is elite, he is a fantastic user of the ball, good decision maker and has genuine goal scoring capability. Hard to believe he is only 17 and the impact he has been able to have at Prems level and as an underage participant in the talent league for the Giants this year. Watch this space.
Tait Cousens (Pennant Hills)
19, midfield
What makes Tait a good player are his skills and smarts. Always makes the right decision with ball in hand and gets to the right spots both in attack and defence. Tait brings a level of maturity and footy smarts well beyond his years. He reads the game incredibly well and is very composed under pressure.
Mitchell Zywietz (Pennant Hills)
18, wing
Mitch is known for his work rate. He doesn’t stop running and impacts contest after contest with pure will and hunger to win. Mitch provides the team with plenty of run up and down the ground which opens space for our team. The accountability he has for running both ways also assists our defence massively.
Liam Everett (Pennant Hills)
17, half-forward
Liam is your traditional work horse, always improving his game and getting better every year. Has only been playing AFL for about 3 years but is one of the youngest they have in the team. Liam is our specialist pressure forward, his job for the team is when the ball goes in the forward line to do everything, he can too keep it there. Any goal he kicks is a bonus and he sure does know how to celebrate them in style.
Kyan Upsall (Pennant Hills)
18, ruck/full-forward
Kyan is a tremendous athlete that is also incredibly smart with his decision making. Incredibly versatile that can play quite literally any position on the ground. Kyan provides that extra bit of pace in our midfield but can also go forward and kick goals. They can also insert him into the ruck at times to almost give them an additional midfield. Has a very bright future with his football.
Dylan Bonham (Pennant Hills)
18, rover
Dylan is our extractor, probably the best in the team at going in and winning the ball and then getting it moving. A fantastic work ethic with a real desire to win. Dylan is their captain, he sets very high standards for our group and leads by example not only on game day but also at training. A large part if this group can turn it around in season 2023.
Mitchell Kunigiskis (Pennant Hills)
19, half-back
Mitch is one of the best young players in Sydney. Relentless attack on the footy, great skills and a major competitive edge. Mitch made a move to the backline this year and provides us with plenty of run and elite ball use. This means they can be really attacking from their backline but also know they aren’t going to have much scored against them.
Kate Salmon (Manly Warringah)
17, half-forward
Kate is a fantastic all-round player with all the skills. She can out-mark taller opponents and is very clean below her knees. Kate is a reliable goal kicker and is well respected by her teammates of all ages.
Lauren Bull (Manly Warringah)
17, full-forward
Lauren judges the flight of the ball extremely well, regularly out-positions opponents and takes excellent overhead marks. Lauren is adapting well to senior football and continues to work on every aspect of her game.
Holly Wickham (Manly Warringah)
18, wing
Holly has improved drastically in the second half of this season. A great overhead mark and kick, Holly provides excellent opportunities for her forward line and is a valuable part of the team.
London Ashcroft (Manly Warringah)
18, half-forward
We have to remember sometimes how young London is as she plays like a seasoned professional. An excellent mark and long piercing kick are her trade marks. A recent spell for the Western Bulldogs in the VFLW has only increased London’s understanding and desire to play the game.
Holly Cooper (Manly Warringah)
18, midfield
Holly has shown marvellous improvement this year. She is currently playing for the Allies in the National U18s Championships. With a terrific understanding of the game, Holly is capable of breaking lines and providing teammates with pinpoint delivery.
Ella Parker (UTS Bats)
17, half-back/wing
Ella is a very crafty player that’s very effective on both sides of the body. Loves to take the game on and make an impact in attack and defence.
Emma Juneja (UTS Bats)
17, wing/rover
Emma has a great kick on the run and loves to use the space available. She breaks tackles effectively with her foot speed and explosiveness.
Matisse Murray (UTS Bats)
16, wing
Matisse is a very skilful player that has a great kicking technique and is very effective by hands. She loves to use her foot speed in space and surge the ball forward.
Ruby Reid (UTS Bats)
16, wing/centre
Ruby has a very high footy IQ. An all-round player that loves to attack and defend. She has great ball movement and she showcases strong leadership skills.
Eloise Carey (UTS Bats)
17, half-back
Eloise is a very calm and discipline player. She reads the game very well and loves to defend at a high standard. She is a terrific team player.
Megan Mifsud (Macquarie University Goannas)
18, midfield/forward
Megan is a 2023 U18 National Championships representative with the Allies. Formerly a Junior Matilda and now at the Giants Academy, Megan is a bull at the contest, and is also able to provide foot speed and defensive pressure in abundance, playing both on ball, on the wing, and at half forward.
Sophie Kavanagh (Macquarie University Goannas)
19, forward
Finished fourth in U20 nationals for long jump earlier in the year, Sophie has played 15 games in her senior debut season, 10 of them at premier level where she has kicked 21 goals. Previously playing school football at Loreto Normanhurst, Sophie’s athletics background means she has elite speed, and has coupled this with a keen goal sense as well as damaging left foot.
Cassie Brown (Macquarie University Goannas)
19, half-back/wing
A GWS Giants Academy graduate, Cassie is the youngest of three Brown sisters playing in the premiers side. Cassie brings to the side clean skills by hand and foot, and a high level of decision making with footy in hand, and is one of the more consistent performers in the side. This skill-set allows her to be damaging off the half back, and further up the ground when she plays on the wing. A season ending ankle injury a couple of weeks ago means she’ll be missing for finals, but nevertheless she is a key member of the squad.
Ava Barraclough (North Shore)
Ruck rover/half-forward
A rising star nomination from early in the season who has built her game on winning contested ball. In the GWS Giants Academy and is a strong defender who can also provide quality ball for her forward line.
Lily Race (Sydney University)
Wing
Gathering clean possession and laying tackles are two trademarks of Race’s game. Showing maturity in her game as the year goes on, with her background in the Swans Academy coming to the fore.
Kendra Blattman (Sydney University)
17, forward
A member of the Coates Talent League with the Swans, the 17-year-old has gone on to represent the Allies at the U18s National Championships as well. A prolific scorer who converts her chances in front of goal.
Caiden Cleary (Sydney University)
18, midfielder
Having a breakout year at all levels, including helping the Allies to a state title and earning All-Australian selection in the process. A disposal beast who goes in hard at the footy, plus has the speed and toughness to make him a future draft prospect.
Will Lockett (South West Sydney)
18, back
A tenacious, hard running small back man who has a tireless work rate. Is a contested beast who is rarely beaten in a one-on-one contest. Has speed to burn and would regularly feature as the fastest at the club.
Khy Gibbs (Sout West Sydney)
18, utility
A smooth moving rebound back with great intercept marking capabilities. Has quality skills making him a valuable attacking source off half-back. Tall and has exceptionally clean hands below his knees. Is also adaptable and can play midfield or forward.
Caleb May (South West Sydney)
18, ruck
Continues to develop with every season. Standing at 6’10 and 110kg, he has a phenomenal work rate and dominates games with his tap work and strong contested marking. Has added moving forward to kick goals to further his value as a quality big that is very hard for the opposition to match up on.
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