THE first of the Northern Academy teams to wrap up proceedings in the 2024 Coates Talent League Girls competition is the GWS Giants Academy who filled out its three games. We take a look at the results and some of the standouts throughout the stint with a number of them set for Allies representation at the national championships later in the year.

RESULTS

GWS Giants Academy 6.6 (42) lost to Tasmania Devils 13.9 (87)
GWS Giants Academy 12.10 (82) defeated Sandringham Dragons 4.9 (33)
GWS Giants Academy 11.8 (74) defeated Murray Bushrangers 2.3 (15)

LEADING STATS-GETTERS:

Disposals: Isla Wiencke (23.0)
Marks: Amelie Prosser-Shaw (4.0)
Tackles: Amelie Prosser-Shaw (7.3)
Hitouts: Marley Rhodes (15.7)
Inside 50s: Isla Wiencke (9.7)
Rebound 50s: Hannah Kearney (5.7)
Goals: Majella Day (3.3)

AFLW DRAFT PROSPECTS TO WATCH

Ashley Patton
Forward | 170cm | 26/09/2006

A crafty forward with plenty of class and upside, Patton is a high level baseball player who has focused her attention on football this year. A member of the AFLW Academy, Patton has terrific athleticism, smart skills and an ability to find the big sticks

Amelie Prosser-Shaw
Midfielder | 175cm | 14/11/2006

Transforming from a tall defender into a midfielder, Prosser-Shaw has enjoyed a strong first few months of 2024. She was one of the Giants Academy’s most consistent players, and looms as their top midfielder in this year’s draft, having already run around for the Giants’ VFLW side.

Ellie Hall
Defender | 174cm | 07/07/2006

Coming off an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, Hall impressed in her two games for the Giants Academy, becoming a rebounding force off half-back. With an elite endurance base, Hall also boasts fantastic kicking skills and reading of the play, picking off opposition thrusts forward.

Tamika Rourke
Forward/Midfielder | 173cm | 31/03/2006

Had a delayed start to the season, but played forward in her two games. Has some terrific speed through the contest and is capable of hitting the scoreboard, with her best yet to come. Both Rourke and Hall will return to the Murray Bushrangers to play more Talent League Girls games.

Others:

Over-age pair Megan Mifsud and Sophia de Castella are two players who returned to the orange team after Allies representation last year. Mifsud is a former soccer player who provides a hard edge and can play midfield or forward, while de Castella is a hard contest-to-contest runner and capable of impacting around the stoppages.

2025 AFLW Draft:

Isla Wiencke had a breakout few games for the Giants Academy, really impressing as that powerful midfielder who could also go forward and hit the scoreboard. Another one who impressed was winger Eliza Matthews who looked good on the outside.

SUMMARY

The GWS Giants Academy had an eye-catching few games in the Coates Talent League Girls competition, bouncing back from a heavy first-up loss, to come away with two big wins and plenty to look forward to in the future.