THE top AFL Women’s draft prospects will go head-to-head against their peers in a huge clash at Ikon Park on Saturday. The 2024 AFL Women’s Academy will don the coat of arms against an Under 23 All-Stars team made up of players who are largely considered the next group of future AFLW stars.

Among the top prospects for the AFLW Academy are Gold Coast Suns tall Havana Harris and Gippsland Power utility Ash Centra, as well as the elite skilled Zippy Fish and India Rasheed also the top pick contenders.

One closely watched by the Ikon Park locals will be eligible Carlton father-daughter prospect Sophie McKay who won the MVP at the Under 17 Futures match last season. The likes of Georgia McKee (knee) and Lucia Painter (ankle) return to representative action after missing most, or all of last season.

The AFLW Academy arrive in Melbourne today for its second high-performance camp of the year after an initial meeting in January at The Hangar and Geelong. AFL National Academy Manager Tarkyn Lockyer said it was an exciting time for all those players involved.

“It’s a great honour for any athlete to represent their country and we are thrilled to provide players in the Marsh AFL National Academy the opportunity to wear the Australia jumper,” Lockyer said.
 
“Saturday’s game provides a platform for players to showcase their football talent in front of AFLW club recruiters and put into practice some of their learnings from the Academy program.
 
“The match is also a fantastic opportunity for players representing the U23 All-Stars, who have been selected by AFLW club recruiters to play in the match.”

For the first time, the AFLW Academy will play two matches, this being the first, with another to come on the Kings Birthday long weekend in June. Lockyer will coach the Academy side, while former AFLW player and Sydney Swans assistant coach Tanya Hetherington will take the reigns of the All-Stars once again. Current AFLW players Belle Dawes, Dakota Davidson and Jess Dal Pos will serve as assistant coaches.

While the AFLW Academy has the top-end talent, the Under 23 All-Stars features the likes of Claire Mahony, Georgie Brisbane, Lou-Lou Field, Zoe Hargreaves and Jemma Reynolds who were all among the next group of star talents.

Northern Territory’s Emma Stark is also running around in the match as one to watch, with former West Australian Under 18s vice-captain Jaime Henry (now at Western Bulldogs VFLW) among the overlooked prospects who will be hoping to put their best foot forward in the match. Last year’s MVP in the match – Mel Staunton – is now playing for the Under 23 All-Stars.

FULL TEAMS

AFLW ACADEMY (AUSTRALIA U18)

U23 ALL-STARS