AFLW Draft U17 Futures match 2023: Geelong Falcons prospect Sara Howley lights up showcase clash

The best 2024 draft prospects from across the country were on show, and a Geelong Falcon produced an immense display. See the ranking points and top performers.

See who starred in the AFLW Futures game.

A host of bottom-age Victorian prospects dominated in the AFLW U17 Futures match, headlined by Geelong Falcons young gun Sara Howley.

The Newtown & Chillwell product turned heads for Team Schleicher, tallying 26 disposals, five clearances, a goal and a game-high 155 SuperCoach ranking points in their loss to Team Harris.

Sandringham Dragons prospect Sophie McKay led the way for Team Harris with a game-high 30 disposals, six clearances and 144 points, while Howley’s Vic Country teammate Ash Centra was also strong with 21 disposals, six tackles, a goal and 129 points.

Western Jets’ Sierra Grieves (24 disposals, six clearances, 141 points) and East Fremantle’s Zipporah Fish (24 disposals and 144 points) were also among those to impress in front of talent scouts at Kinetic Stadium in Frankston.

Howley, who was named in the AFLW U18 All-Australian team and finished equal-third in the overall best and fairest voting at the carnival, continues to press her claims as an early selection in next year’s draft with her spectacular ball-winning feats.

Sara Howley (left) excelled in the AFLW Futures match. Picture: Getty Images

She averaged a formidable 25 disposals and 10 contested against the best in the country for Vic Country along with a whopping 33 disposals, 21 kicks and five tackles for the Falcons this season.

Vic Country and Falcons coach Mel Hickey said she makes things look easy and is already considered elite.

“She does what she does, we are so lucky to have her down here. She sometimes looks so effortless but I know she is working hard,” Hickey said.

“Her ability to cover the ground and spread and get involved, particularly in our attack is amazing. She is pretty elite as a bottom-ager and as a female footballer full stop.”

SUPERCOACH RANKING POINTS

TEAM HARRIS

S.McKay 141

A.Centra 129

S.Postie 117

C.Mahony 107

L.Field 107

Z.Hussain 104

M.O’Hehir 89

E.Parker 80

T.Rourke 75

M.Lang 75

G.Brisbane 66

C.Wright 64

N.McNaughton 63

J.Evans 63

C.Morgan 61

K.Forbes 59

H.Harris 53

N.Milne 54

L.Boyd 49

E.Symonds 46

E.Juneja 29

T.Perry 22

TEAM SCHLEICHER

S.Howley 155

Z.Fish 144

S.Grives 141

Z.Besanko 114

T.Harrington 108

Z.Hargreaves 103

J.Whitington-Charity 90

C.Riggs 76

J.Reynolds 75

S.Tallariti 75

V.Patterson 71

E.McDonald 61

N.Entwistle 59

M.Harrison 56

L.Baker 55

S.Strong 51

A.Wunungmurra 44

E.Stark 42

L.Thompson 41

A.Patton 37

Originally published as AFLW Draft U17 Futures match 2023: Geelong Falcons prospect Sara Howley lights up showcase clash