ALL six Most Valuable Players (MVPs) at the AFL Women’s Under 18 Championships have been crowned, with two top-agers, three bottom-agers and one double bottom-ager among the winners. The MVPs of each state are awarded by the coaching and talent staff as to the best player across the national carnival.

The array of recipients exemplifies the talent coming through the women’s football pathway over the next few years. We profile each of the six winners.

ALLIES:

Marnie Robinson (Sydney Swans Academy)
08/06/2005 | 173cm | Defender

Robinson is a reliable defender and skipper of the Allies who worked hard throughout the national carnival to be an intercepting talent in the back 50. Becoming the top prospect from the Swans Academy alongside fellow AFLW Academy member Olivia Morris and smooth-moving winger Holly Cooper, Robinson is a player with nice natural footballing skills and an all-round game for a rebounding back. She is one that both the Swans and GIANTS will be keeping an eye on as a mid-draft option.

QUEENSLAND:

Havana Harris (Gold Coast Suns Academy)
01/7/2006 | 182cm | Key Utility

The bottom-age tall is arguably the top pick in next year’s AFL Women’s Draft, having played ruck, forward and even as a midfielder, showcasing her versatility. Strong overhead with unique explosive speed for a 182cm player, Harris is the prototype athlete for the future, with plenty of footballing nous thrown in there too. She will cause plenty of headaches over the next 18 months, and will be one the Suns Academy are keen to lock away as she is a special talent with incredible upside.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA:

India Rasheed (Sturt)
29/11/2006 | 172cm | Forward/Midfielder

In a stack South Australian side that took out the championships, Rasheed got the nod ahead of the likes of Lauren Young and Shineah Goody, off the back of two remarkable performances. She showed her midfield craft, then went forward and also hit the scoreboard, with Rasheed not far behind Harris in calculations for next year. Boasting an elite left foot and incredible vision, she has always been a star at SANFL Women’s level and by adding a midfield string to her bow, looks to be dangerous on multiple fronts.

VICTORIA COUNTRY:

Ash Centra (Gippsland Power)
06/02/2006 | 175cm | Tall Forward

Next year’s top Victorian pick took her game to another level at the national championships, playing as a strong marking tall forward. Having spent the majority of the year for Gippsland Power as a key defender with a few stints through the middle and the odd burst up forward, Centra is one with enormous upside like Harris. She is tall, athletic, and has great aerial ability, while being clean at ground level and doing a lot of damage inside 50. It would not be far-fetched to say she is the most elite user by foot that has come through the pathways.

VICTORIA METRO:

Kayley Kavanagh (Calder Cannons)
06/07/2005 | 169cm | Midfielder

The Calder Cannons midfielder could not have done much more than she has this year, ticking box after box with steady consistency through both the Coates Talent League and AFLW Under 18 Championships. A late inclusion for the Under 23 All-Stars then working into Vic Metro’s Under 18s squad, Kavanagh overtook them all by taking out the MVP. Her defensive traits are outstanding, she covers the ground well and has no issues getting into ball-winning positions, particularly around the stoppages.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA:

Evie Cowcher (Peel Thunder)
03/08/2007 | 173cm | Tall Defender

The youngest player to win a state MVP since Lauren Young at the 2021 AFLW Under 19 Championships, Cowcher is not eligible for another two and a half seasons. At 173cm, Cowcher earned the Rising Star in the WAFL Women’s, and was a rebounding force for Peel Thunder in her debut year. Strong overhead and boasting a powerful kick, she recovers well at ground level and is someone who reads the ball well inside the defensive 50. One of a number of West Australian stars at Under 16s level.