VIC Metro has finalised its 30-player squad for the upcoming AFL Women’s Under 18 Championships, which begins on Sunday, July 2 for the ‘Big V’. Metro faces off against Allies, South Australia and Vic Country at the 2023 national carnival, with a mix of top and bottom-age prospects selected.

Eastern Ranges make up up almost a quarter of the squad with eight representatives, two more than ladder leaders Oakleigh Chargers, and winless Western Jets, showing the spread of talent regardless of season results. Calder Cannons and Sandringham Dragons both have four representatives, with Northern Knights recording the two.

Among the players in the squad are Eastern Ranges AFLW Academy members, Alyssia Pisano, Laura Stone and Jess Vukic, as well as fellow Academy members, Western Jets duo Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner and Kiera Whiley. The sixth Vic Metro AFLW Academy member, Amy Gaylor is unavailable due to an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.

There are two over-agers in the 2023 squad in ruck Krystal Russell and tall utility Jemma Rigoni. The latter is eligible as a father-daughter selection to Melbourne, while the other club-tied player is Carlton father-daughter bottom-age draft prospect, Sophie McKay.

Vic Metro face the Allies at Brighton Homes Arena on July 2, before returning home to take on South Australia a week later. Metro concludes its campaign against Vic Country on August 12 at Punt Road.

2023 VIC METRO AFLW U18 CHAMPIONSHIPS SQUAD