Geelong Falcons 2024 Coates Talent League Girls list breakdown
Geelong Falcons open the 2024 Coates Talent League season with a showpiece game at GMHBA Stadium. We profile everyone who could line up for the club this year.
NAB League
Don't miss out on the headlines from NAB League. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Greater top-age depth is expected to set Geelong Falcons up for a strong 2024 Coates Talent League girls’ campaign.
In reaching last year’s semi-finals, the Falcons had several bottom-agers make big impressions and bank ample game time, including league best and fairest winner Sara Howley.
Add to that several state under-16 representatives who will be raring to take the step up to under-18s this year.
However the Falcons’ win-loss record won’t be a focus of coach Melissa Hickey, who holds a philosophy of development over results and the AFLW Draft.
“We’re part of an ecosystem, it’s not just about the draft,” Hickey said.
“It’s about how many players we can develop for the community — they can go back to their local clubs and they lift the standards.
“If you’ve got an attitude of wanting to develop, that will serve you for your whole football career.”
The Falcons have created a development squad this year, aiming to encourage more players to refine their craft.
Geelong Falcons open the Coates Talent League season on Thursday, March 28 with an “exciting” fixture at GMHBA Stadium against Greater Western Victoria Rebels.
“It’s pretty incredible to play on that ground — the atmosphere will be amazing,” Hickey said.
Here is a glimpse at every Falcons under-18 listed player.
Luella Aldridge, Torquay
A bottom-ager who was one of six Falcons to represent at Vic Country under-16 level last year. A defender with strong overhead skills, Aldridge is returning from injury.
Meg Alsop, Geelong Amatuer
A top-age player who was sidelined late last year with injury, the small midfielder is a one-on-one ball winner and strong tackler.
Addison Baars, Lara
Made her Coates Talent League’s under-18 debut late last season as a 16-year-old after representing Vic Country. A small forward with elite speed and agility, Baars’ background in basketball gives her a strong awareness of space.
Cavalle Boxer, St Mary’s
A defender with a strong kick, the bottom-ager will likely take some kick-ins for the Falcons.
Mackenzie Brown, Barwon Heads
The father-daughter prospect — Mackenzie is the daughter of Tony Brown, a 100-plus gamer for St Kilda in the late-1990s — is a good mover and will spend time on the wing in her bottom-age year.
Chloe Bryant, St Joseph’s
The inside midfielder played every game as a bottom-ager last year. Her outside game complements her inside game, though she can also push forward and kick goals. Will spend more time forward to develop her craft in a bid to push for Vic Country selection.
Caitlin Charles, Geelong West Giants
The versatile left-footer was a mainstay in last year’s side and will play mostly forward this year though can run on the wing and through the midfield. Has clean skills and elite endurance, with a background in athletics.
Rebecca Clottey, St Mary’s
A raw talent and relative newcomer to the sport, Clottey has shown to be super athletic and possesses both speed and power. The Ghana-born Clottery represented Vic Country in its Diversity All Stars showcase, before making her way into the Falcons’ under-18 side for its final three matches of 2023. Plays as a pressure forward and has a strong leap.
Sarah Conroy, St Joseph’s
A bottom-age defender who can attack the contest and reads play well.
Evie Durbidge, Ocean Grove
A small-forward, Durbidge entered her bottom-age year injured but has returned to training as of this week. Offers elite speed up forward.
Juliet Evans, Peninsula Sharks
A medium-sized defender with good agility, Evans is also a talented netballer and has translated her strong overhead skills to football.
Amber Ferrari, Geelong Amatuer/Colac Imperials
Set to feature in defence, Ferrari is a bottom-ager who possesses a nice kick and can read the play well.
Catherine Gandolfo, South Barwon
Can play either forward or back but will likely spend time as a rebound defender this year. Enters her bottom-age year off a busy 2023 which saw her play for Vic Country under-16s and its Diversity All-Stars team. Made her Coates Talent League debut in the Falcons’ final game of the year.
Sara Howley, Newtown & Chilwell
Howley enjoyed a strong bottom-age year, winning the league’s best and fairest after earning All Australian honours for a strong Vic Country national championships campaign. An inside midfielder who may press as a high forward, her leg power and drive out of the contest, as well as her decision making, are attributes to her game.
Stella Huxtable, Torquay
A left-footed midfielder, Huxtable earned Vic Country under-16 honours last year and is good in the contest. Building for a strong season after taking part in Victoria Country’s summer training hub.
Filomena Iannuzzi, Lara
The top-age inside midfielder offers reliability and strong defensive cover at stoppages. Has good endurance and is a strong tackler who can win her own ball. May spend some time as a small defender.
Ally Lappin, Newtown & Chilwell
Twin sister of Meg, both are father-daughter prospects for Brisbane Lions, where dad Nigel was a 278-gamer and three-time AFL premiership player. The key defender is strong aerially and has a booming kick but also possesses good speed for a taller player.
Meg Lappin, Newtown & Chilwell
Twin sister of Ally, Meg has played mostly up forward since entering the program. Has a strong workrate and can attack the contest.
Chloe Leen, Barwon Heads
A top-ager who is in her first year in the program, the defender has a booming kick and can read the play well.
Charlotte Mackenzie, Geelong Grammar
A smart forward with strong leadership skills, Mackenzie can set up her teammates with her kicking. Played five games as a bottom-ager late last year.
Sienna Mallon, Colac Imperials
The skilful forward with a high footy IQ, Mallon know how to use space. Featured in nine games as a bottom-ager last year and has put together a strong pre-season. Plays Premier Cricket for Geelong.
Lucy Marescuk, South Barwon
Marescuk was top 10 for the 20m sprint at the league’s testing day, with a move to the wing this year marked to use her elite run and speed. A Vic Country representative, she has improved her kick heading into her top-age season.
Mekah Morrissy, Newtown & Chilwell
The Falcons captain is a hardworking wing who can run back for goal saving marks and push forward to kick her own. Ranked second in endurance at recent league testing, she represented Vic Country last year and is good under pressure.
Alana Mulvahil, St Mary’s
Set to start in defence but may feature as an inside midfielder or wing as she builds up her tank throughout her bottom-age year. A good ball-user.
Juliet Muscroft, Torquay
First year in the program as a bottom-ager, the hardworking wing is an elite runner and strong in the contest despite being one of the Falcons’ smaller players.
Kate O’Brien, St Mary’s
New to the program in her top-age, O’Brien is honing her forward craft to add another string to her bow but will also feature in ruck. Put down a strong 2km time for her height.
Stephanie O’Kane, St Mary’s
Plays as a high forward and is a strong mark and kick with good speed.
Hayley Peck, Grovedale
The 19-year-old was new to the program last year, with the Falcons keen to spend more time with Peck developing her ruck craft. A consistent performer last year, she developed her ground game as the year went on.
Faith Qoon, North Geelong
Had a disrupted year last year with injuries but will play as a hybrid defender. A strong intercept mark with a good kick, Qoon also possesses strong leadership skills.
Danielle Rhodes, Geelong West Giants
Set to develop as a forward in her bottom-age year but has the capacity and attributes to move into the midfield.
Kirra Robinson, Geelong West Giants
The rebound defender only returned to skill work last week after working through a knee injury, so will likely miss the first few rounds. Is a strong mark and gets involved in the Falcons’ attack.
Amber Towart, Geelong Amatuer
The top-age prospect is a strong, contested defender who is good overhead.
Tara Trethowan, Newtown & Chilwell
A skilful midfielder who was trialled as a high defender in a practice match recently ahead of her bottom-age year. Has clean skills and will look to push into the midfield as her conditioning and tank develops.
Georgia Tyrrell, St Joseph’s
Should see more midfield minutes this year after playing a few games last year off halfback and on the wing. Played Vic Country under 16s and is coming into the season fit and strong from a good pre-season.
Charlotte Van Loon, St Mary’s
Sister of Essendon AFLW player Ash Van Loon, the key defender is strong overhead and reads the play well. Had an injury over pre-season, so will look to bank a good block of training.
Seisia White, St Mary’s
The Falcons’ vice-captain boasts elite speed and power — she was top 10 for agility in league testing — and should see more time in the midfield after playing as a high forward. A Vic Country player, she is a strong tackler with good foot skills.
Natasha Wilson, Geelong Amatuer
Currently injured and had a bad run of injury last year too. Previously played for Murray Bushrangers where she represented her state at the under-16 level.
Kiara Woods, Geelong West Giants
The Vic Country player only played a handful of games last year following an ankle injury but is back in full training now and working on her forward craft. Can also add to the Falcons’ ruck stocks.
More Coverage
Originally published as Geelong Falcons 2024 Coates Talent League Girls list breakdown
‘Punch out of our weight range’: Rebels chasing history
Already writing their own history, the GWV Rebels are ready for the team’s first grand final in 27 years and already have support from former AFL stars.
REPLAY: Late goal eases Power wildcard nerves
Thomas Matthews stepped up when Gippsland needed him most to put the seal on a thrilling Coates Talent League boys wildcard success over the Bushrangers. Check out the REPLAY.