VIC COUNTRY announced its 2023 AFLW Under 18 Championships today ahead of its opening clash with Queensland on July 30. The 29-player squad was confirmed following a trial match back in June, and Coates Talent League form since.

Of the 29 players, 19 are draft-eligible this year – and all are top-agers – while the remaining 10 are bottom-age prospects, eligible for the 2024 AFLW Draft. In terms of club-by-club representation, Dandenong Stingrays dominated the squad with nine players making it, almost one third of the entire team.

Among them are AFLW Academy members Mikayla Williamson and Bianca Lyne, skipper Jemma Ramsdale, tall forward Sophie Butterworth, and utilities Meg Robertson and Ruby Murdoch. There are also three bottom-age Stingrays, being talls Elli Symonds and Zoe Besanko, and mid-forward Jemma Reynolds.

Greater Western Victoria (GWV) Rebels had the six representatives in an impressive effort, with AFLW Academy member Jessica Rentsch, draft bolter forward Lily Jordan and bottom-age key defender Millie Lang among them.

Geelong Falcons’ half dozen representatives include club captain Chloe Adams, competition leading goalkicker Chantal Mason and ball-winning bottom-age midfielder Sara Howley.

Bendigo Pioneers (four) and Gippsland Power (three) are the other sides with multiple representatives, while Murray Bushrangers’ Kaylea Kobzan is her side’s sole representative.

Among the other players to watch are Bendigo Pioneers duo Lila Keck and Bryde O’Rourke, as well as Gippsland Power utility Ash Centra. Bottom-age Pioneers star Lucia Painter will miss the carnival due to injury.

Geelong Falcons coach Mel Hickey will lead the squad at the 2023 AFLW Under 18 Championships, for matches against Queensland (July 30), Vic Metro (August 12) and Western Australia (August 19) that includes two interstate trips.