The AFL Women’s U18 Championship, which is currently running across the country, showcases the best young talent that could one day run out with the Lions’ Women’s team.
Nine teams – NSW/ACT, Queensland, Tasmania, Vic Metro, Allies, Northern Territory, South Australia, Vic Country and Western Australia – are competing in the championships held over two rounds from May 12-June 17.
Many of the players involved in this year’s championships will be eligible to be drafted by AFLW clubs in October. Players to watch include:
NSW/ACT
#2 - Alyce Parker. DOB: 15/8/2000. Local Club: Thurgoona. A ball magnet, reads the play exceptionally well and is comfortable in a host of roles across the ground.
#4 – Haneen Zrieka. DOB: 15/4/1999. Local Club: Auburn Giants. Has an extraordinary side-step and can run all day. Relishes contested footy and is also solid outside.
#28 – Jordan Jolliffe. DOB: 9/6/2000. Local Club: Woorinen. Has great hands, leads well and is a superb kick for goal.
NT
#3 – Calista Boyd. DOB: 4/6/1999. Local Club: Wanderers. Has speed, agility and is very clever around goal. Can run opponent high up the ground and use her speed back get back inside 50.
#7 – Arthurina Moreen. DOB: 3/2/2000. Local Club: Tiwi Islands. Has a good understanding of the game, kicks the ball with both legs and her handball below her knees is exceptional.
#8 – Danielle Ponter. DOB: 8/1/2000. Local Club: St Mary’s. Highly skilled, uses both sides of her body and works well inside contests.
QLD
#3 – Ruby Blair. DOB: 1/8/1999. Local Club: Coolangatta. Small defender or midfielder who wins contested ball and can run.
#8 – Gabby Collingwood. DOB: 15/01/1999. Local Club: Uni Queensland. All-Australian in 2015 and unlucky to miss out in 2016. Clean and clever by foot and hand.
#22 – Arianna Clarke. DOB: 16/08/1999. Local Club: Coolangatta. Sure overhead, has a penetrating kick and wins contested ball.
SA
#4 – Chloe Scheer. DOB: 7/10/1999. Local Club: Modbury. Has elite kicking skills and will continue to improve.
#5 – Katelyn Rosenzweig. DOB: 26/9/2000. Local Club: Angle Vale. Rarely fumbles and kicks the ball long distances.
#13 – Brianna Walling. DOB: 26/9/1999. Local Club: Morphettville. Fast and agile and relishes physicality. Can play both outside and inside and uses the ball well by both hand and foot.
TAS
#2 – Courtney Webb. DOB: 30/10/1999. Local Club: Launceston. Familiar with elite-level sport as a rookie-listed player for the Hobart Hurricanes in the Women’s Big Bash League.
#10 – Daria Bannister. DOB: 20/4/1999. Local Club: Launceston. Best suited up forward, where she can use her elite pace and agility to advantage, either converting or creating scoring opportunities.
VIC COUNTRY
#13 – Jordan Allen. DOB: 6/7/2000. Local Club: Dandenong Stingrays. Can play key positions at both ends of the ground.
#14 – Darcy Guttridge. DOB: 30/10/1999. Local Club: Gippsland Power. Last year’s vice-captain provides plenty of drive from half-back and through the middle of the ground.
VIC METRO
#26 – Madison Prespakis. DOB: 2/11/2000. Local Club: Calder Cannons. Shows experience beyond her years.
#31 – Monique Conti. DOB: 9/12/1999. Local Club: Calder Cannons. An Australian under-17 world championship basketballer and 2017 WNBL rookie of the year, Conti is just as impressive on the football field.
WA
#11 – Tayla McAuliffe. DOB: 15/3/1999. Local Club: Swan Districts. Powerful tall ruck/forward with an athletics background.
#19 – Sonia Dorizzi. DOB: 3/6/2000. Local Club: West Perth. High-leaping tall defender/ruck with good speed.
#33 – Courtner Hodder. DOB: 8/7/2000. Local Club: Peel Thunder. Elusive and speedy inside midfielder who attacks the ball and opposition.
Every AFL Women’s U18 Championship match is live streamed for free on the AFL Women’s YouTube Channel.
