The best 35 AFLW draft-eligible players to watch at the U18 Girls National Championships
The next generation of talent will take centre stage when the U18 Girls AFLW National Championships kicks off on Sunday. Here are the best 35 draft-eligible players to watch.
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The next generation of AFLW talent will take centre stage when the 2025 U18 Girls AFLW National Championships kicks off on Sunday with a triple-header in Melbourne.
Recruiters will be in town to watch this year’s cream of the crop go head-to-head with Victoria Country and the Allies to kick off the Championships at Trevor Barker Beach Oval followed by a Western Australia v Queensland and Victoria Metro v South Australia double-header at RSEA Park.
No.1 pick contender Ava Usher has unfortunately been ruled out for the entire championships due to a minor setback with her knee.
The Gold Coast Academy star missed the championships last year after injuring her ACL and was desperate to pull on the maroon in 2025 but she’s due to have minor clean-up surgery in the coming weeks to best prepare her for the rigours of AFLW. She’ll remain a part of Queensland’s program throughout the championships.
List managers across the competition are excited about the calibre of talent they’ll have to pick from at the end of the year with one team to be crowned the overall winner at the conclusion of the carnival.
Here are the best 35 draft-eligible players set to represent their states and territories with pride across the next two months.
ALLIES
PRIYA BOWERING
Club: Tasmania Devils
Position: Midfielder
Bowering has already proven she can match it with the best of the best after being named MVP in a recent AFLW Academy vs All Stars clash. The ever reliable midfielder knows how to find the footy and strikes a nice balance of clean and contested ball.
Allies coach Tanya Hetherington says: She’s a strong and powerful player. Clean in the contest and strong overhead she is also capable of pushing forward and hitting the scoreboard.
ISLA WIENCKE
Club: GWS Giants Academy
Position: Midfielder
The AFLW Academy star and reigning Allies MVP is one of the most exciting prospects to come out of New South Wales this year and there’s good reason why. She’s known for putting her body on the line and she’s also a clearance best, consistently giving the Allies an advantage at the coalface.
Allies coach Tanya Hetherington says: Another strong and powerful midfielder with a booming kick, Isla is capable of playing multiple positions and hitting the scoreboard. Tough as nails!
MADDIE QUINN
Club: Sydney Swans Academy
Position: Ruck
A bottom-ager for the Allies last year, Quinn is shaping up to be one of the more athletic rucks at the national championships. The AFLW Academy prospect boasts a booming kick and also covers the ground well considering her height. Has also featured up forward for the Swans.
Allies coach Tanya Hetherington says: Maddie is a 185cm ruck who plays like a midfielder. So clean below her knees as well as strong overhead. Look for Maddie to showcase her follow up ability around the stoppages.
MISCHA BARWIN
Club: Tasmania Devils
Position: Forward/midfielder
Opposition defenders can’t afford to panic when Barwin is around the ball. Her game sense makes her a constant threat and often she’ll outwork her opponent on the turn back towards goal. Knows how to kick a classy goal and can also provide a spark in the midfield. Featured for the Allies at the last year’s National Championships and is currently in the AFLW Academy.
Allies coach Tanya Hetherington says: Mischa is an exciting prospect with her speed and smarts. She is a crafty forward who links up play and often hits the scoreboard. Her defensive pressure is a stand-out feature of her game.
MARIKA CARLTON
Club: Palmerston Magpies
Position: Midfielder
The hype is real. The AFLW Academy star has suited up for the Northern Territory Academy and Allies in the past where she’s put her speed to good use on the outside. Carlton is packed with natural talent and once she gets the footy in hand, she’s hard to stop.
Allies coach Tanya Hetherington says: Marika has speed to burn! She runs up and down the wing showcasing her speed and smarts but can also play forward and hit the scoreboard which she loves to do! Very exciting player!
QUEENSLAND
GEORJA DAVIES
Club: Gold Coast Suns Academy
Position: Ruck/midfielder
Sisters Giselle, Fleur, and Darcie, are all currently playing in the AFLW, with Giselle at Sydney, Fleur at Greater Western Sydney, and Darcie at Gold Coast. Now it’s Georja’s turn. Given her elite overhead mark, Queensland is hoping to isolate Davies in the back half this year to access her skills on the rebound.
Queensland coach Emma Zielke says: She’s an exciting prospect and someone the Suns would be very happy to pick in the first five. She is very skillful but she’s also a fantastic leader and always puts the team first.
MONIQUE CORRIGAN
Club: Brisbane Lions Academy
Position: Ruck
Set to do the majority of the rucking for Queensland, Corrigan is also set to spend a bit of time forward but she’s equally agile at ground level. Her follow-up work is fantastic and she’s undoubtedly one of Brisbane’s top prospects this year.
Queensland coach Emma Zielke says: She’s one to look out for. She brings our midfielders into the game with her hands.
SUNNY LAPPIN
Club: Gold Coast Suns Academy
Position: Midfielder
The daughter of former Saint and Blue Matthew, Sunny is also tied to the Suns Academy and will have a big decision to make at the end of the year if all three clubs come for her signature. Lappin is a highly skilled runner who is set to play on the wing and rotate on-ball for Queensland.
Queensland coach Emma Zielke says: She’s got such good game sense and she uses the ball exceptionally well.
KAIYA HIDES
Club: Brisbane Lions Academy
Position: Midfielder
Hides was unlucky not to be picked up in the draft last year but a few clubs are tracking her progress and a big Championships could help her cause. The Lions Academy prospect is set to make her mark in the midfield and her two-way running and speed will stand out.
Queensland coach Emma Zielke says: We love her skill execution and she’s one of the leaders of our group. There’s a bit of interest there.
ALANNAH WELSH
Club: Gold Coast Suns Academy
Position: Forward
While she’s proven herself to be a massive threat deep in attack, Queensland want to use Welsh further up the ground this year with her elite kick a weapon going inside 50. A first round contender.
Queensland coach Emma Zielke says: She’s a weapon in our front half and she’s set to be a highly touted pick. We want her delivering the ball inside 50.
NIAMH MCCARTHY
Club: Brisbane Lions Academy
Position: Meet Brisbane’s draft smokey. McCarthy is a never say die lockdown defender. This is her first year in the Lions’ academy and she’s already impressed with her ball use and ability to compete one-on-one.
Queensland coach Emma Zielke says: We’re excited to see her at the next level and against some of the best forwards in the country. She’s athletic and covers the ground well.
ANNABELLE FOAT
Played in both All Stars games against academy, really strong first game, bull in midfield, works extremely hard, going to be in starting midfield
Club: Gold Coast Suns Academy
Position: Midfield
Foat showed her worth for the AFLW Academy earlier this year as an inside midfield bull. She’s a competitor and strong in the contest. Has also shown she can go forward.
Queensland coach Emma Zielke says: She works extremely hard and she’ll be part of our starting midfield.
DEKOTA BARON
Club: Gold Coast Suns Academy
Position: Forward
Will miss Queensland’s first game against WA after a finger injury earlier this year but Queensland can’t wait for the exciting key forward to return. Is one of the top prospects in this year’s draft but is also unselfish and always looks for the best shot. Very hard to stop when she’s up and going.
Queensland coach Emma Zielke says: I haven’t seen many read the ball as well as her. She always brings a positive, team-first mindset.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
ELOISE MACKERETH
Club: Glenelg
Position: Forward
An All-Australian last year for the Croweaters, Mackereth will look to solidify her reputation as one of this year’s best key forwards. The Glenelg prospect competes well in the air and is a handful for opposition defenders.
SANFLW Female Talent Manager Robbie Neill says: Her strength is her marking ability and her movement in the forward line. She’s a very accurate kick for goal.
SOPHIE EATON
Club: Central District
Position: Defender
This will be Eaton’s third year playing in the state program, an indication of her obvious talent. She’d have to be one of the most accurate kicks for South Australia, let alone at the national championships and she reads the game one step ahead.
SANFLW Female Talent Manager Robbie Neill says: She’ll primarily play down back for us but she can play anywhere be it on-ball, forward or at half-back. She’s a beautiful user of the ball by foot.
LILY BAXTER
Club: South Adelaide
Position: Wing
The AFLW academy star has enjoyed a consistent year so far at South Adelaide, rotating though the wing, half-back and forward line. She is a threat in attack and covers the ground extremely well, forcing her way into danger positions.
SANFLW Female Talent Manager Robbie Neill says: She’s got a high work rate on the wing and she’ll be a big help in offence for us as well.
MONIQUE BESSEN
Club: Sturt
Position: Midfielder/forward
This will also be Bessen’s third year in the state program and the Croweaters are expecting big things from her in 2025. The AFLW Academy member pairs speed with skill and isn’t afraid to take the game on and take territory.
SANFLW Female Talent Manager Robbie Neill says: She knows how to exploit the stand rule and get the footy forward. We’re looking forward to a strong campaign from Mon.
IMOGEN TRENGOVE
Club: Woodville-West Torrens
Position: Forward/midfield
Speed, agility, repeat efforts. Trengove is a tough match-up for any opponent and she’s been in excellent form for Woodville-West Torrens so far this season. Trengove will captain South Australia and she’s a point of difference for the Croweaters.
SANFLW Female Talent Manager Robbie Neill says: Imogen makes life really hard for defenders with her work rate. Her tackling pressure is elite.
CHARLI HAZELHURST
Club: Norwood
Position: Defender
Hazelhurst is likely to line up as a tall defender but she’s also shown she can play as a midfielder at Norwood. Her strength is her lockdown capabilities, nullifying the opposition’s most dangerous forward. Like Poppy Scholz, Hazelhurst has been balancing football with netball.
SANFLW Female Talent Manager Robbie Neill says: She missed her opportunity as a bottom-ager last year due to injury but she’s an exciting talent. We’re expecting good things.
MIKAYLAH ANTONY
Club: Central District
Position: Defender
Antony will unfortunately miss at least the first two games of the championships due to an ankle injury but she impressed in a recent All Stars vs Academy game as a competitive, small defender.
SANFLW Female Talent Manager Robbie Neill says: She can also play up forward but she does her best work as a defender. She’s a good user and highly competitive.
VIC METRO
CHLOE BOWN
Club: Oakleigh Chargers
Position: Midfield
The Vic Metro co-captain is highly skilled on both sides of her body and knows how to win the footy on the inside and out.
Vic Metro coach Jarrad Donders says: She’ll play predominantly in the midfield for us but she is also super damaging up forward and can hit the scoreboard as well.
JORDYN ALLEN
Club: Eastern Ranges
Position: Defender
Don’t get confused with the Collingwood defender of the same name. The AFLW Academy member loves to run and carry from the backline and take the game on.
Vic Metro coach Jarrad Donders says: She breaks lines and she’s so skillful by hand and foot.
TAYLA MCMILLIAN
Club: Eastern Ranges
Position: Midfield
Set to share captaincy duties with Bown, McMillan is another one of Vic Metro’s midfield threats. She’s a contested footy machine but uses her power to extract it.
Vic Metro coach Jarrad Donders says: She’s clean below her knees, her skills on the inside are great and she’s a tackling machine.
CHLOE BAKER-WEST
Club: Calder Cannons
Position: Midfield
Baker-West will miss at least the opening game of the Championships but when she returns, Vic Metro will regain another elite inside midfielder. The Calder Cannons product can also rotate through half-back thanks to her skills and decision-making.
Vic Metro coach Jarrad Donders says: She really sets the game up for us with her distribution, contested ball and power.
SCARLETT JOHNSON
Club: Northern Knights
Position: Utility
It’s probably easier to list where Johnson doesn’t play instead of where she can. Already Johnson has shown her wares as a winger, outside mid, half-back and forward. Her aerial game sets her apart and she’s consistently clean under pressure.
Vic Metro coach Jarrad Donders says: She loves to run and carry and take the game on.
VIC COUNTRY
MIZUKI BROTHWELL
Club: Dandenong Stingrays
Position: Defender
Set to line-up alongside twin sister Nalu, the AFLW Academy star models her game on Essendon rebounding defender Maddi Gay. She’s done a mountain of work on her skills since switching from netball but her speed and energy at half-back makes her a valuable member of Vic Country’s side.
Vic Country coach Sally Riley says: She’s so competitive down back. She brings plenty of energy and athletic traits.
NALU BROTHWELL
Club: Dandenong Stingrays
Position: Defender
At least the twins have made it easy for us with Nalu making her mark in attack, the opposite end of the ground to Mizuki. The marking forward knows where the goals are but she also pushes up the ground to make an impact. Has enjoyed a huge start to 2025 with the Stingrays.
Vic Country coach Sally Riley says: Her contest work in the air and on the ground is what stood out to us. She loves to compete in the air and like her sister, she’s super athletic.
GEORGIA TYRRELL
Club: Geelong Falcons
Position: Midfielder
The Geelong skipper knows how to find the footy and racked up a mammoth 38 disposals earlier this month. She’s not Vic Country’s most flashy player but she never lets the team down and loves a contest. Can also play in defence.
Vic Country coach Sally Riley says: I think she’s underrated and has a lot more impact than people realise. She’s a professional.
MAGGIE JOHNSTONE
Club: GWV Rebels
Position: Midfielder
A powerful midfielder, Johnstone can also have an impact up forward. She’s the first in and under but also uses her power to clear the footy.
Vic Country coach Sally Riley says: She drives standards with her contested work around the ball.
ABBY HOBSON
Club: Gippsland Power
Position: Forward
The key forward kicked two goals in a recent trial match and it’s no wonder why with a set shot of her calibre. Hobson thrives on making her mark in the air and is a good chance to bring the footy down if she gets hands to it.
Vic Country coach Sally Riley says: She has no fear of flying into packs and we’re hopeful she’ll kick a few snags for us.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
OLIVIA WOLMARANS
Club: Subiaco
Position: Forward
The girl they call Wooly is a freakish talent who could easily walk into an AFLW forward line next year and have an impact. She already has an impressive highlights reel and will be a focal point for the Sandgropers this year.
WA Football Female talent specialist Elly Lambkin says: Tall athletic forward who is a dangerous presence around goal, with the ability to take big contested marks and be a hard to catch if she has space to use her speed to explode away from packs she will be hard to match up on.
MIA RUSSO
Club: West Perth
Position: Midfield
Russo started her rise to relevance back in 2022 when she won the Rogers Cup rising star award. A year later, she was named WA’s MVP at the Under-16 Championships. She’s rises to whatever level she’s playing at and is WA’s most prolific on-baller.
WA Football Female talent specialist Elly Lambkin says: A competitive inside midfielder, Mia will never give up on a contest. Expect to see her burst out of packs with her powerful, explosive play and her hard running all over the ground to help both forward and back.
EVIE COWCHER
Club: Peel Thunder
Position: Defender
The AFLW Academy star has unfortunately endured an injury-interrupted start to the season at Peel and will miss WA’s first game against Queensland with a back issue. That doesn’t mean she’s not one of the most talented players in this year’s draft pool. With two WA MVP’s already under her belt, she’s one of the most natural footballers WA has produced.
WA Football Female talent specialist Elly Lambkin says: Has the ability to read the play of the game. With a calm demeanour, she makes good decisions with the ball and can rebound the footy off the half back line faster than most when she comes off the line to attack the ball in the air or on the ground.
ALICIA BLIZARD
Club: East Fremantle
Position: Forward
Blizard got her WAFLW off to a hot start with four goals against South Fremantle in round one and she’s continued to rise since then. The AFLW Academy star does maximum damage with each disposal.
WA Football Female talent specialist Elly Lambkin says: Fast and athletic pressure forward, when the ball hits the ground inside forward 50 she will pounce on the loose ball or any opposition player who takes possession. With high goal sense and fast closing speed she is very dangerous when she is near the goals.
OLIVIA CRANE
Club: Subiaco
Position: Defender
Crane missed last year’s campaign after injuring her ACL so she’s out to make up for lost time in 2025. Crane is excellent in the air and has been a key play maker for the Lions so far this season.
WA Football Female talent specialist Elly Lambkin says: Tall key back, who can shut down a key forward in a game as well as taking intercept possessions. With a composed footy brain makes good decisions out of the backline to set up play through her skill execution.
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Originally published as The best 35 AFLW draft-eligible players to watch at the U18 Girls National Championships
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