IN the last of our five Northern Academy sides who partook in the 2024 Coates Talent League Girls competition, we take a look at Northern Territory, who have a couple of eye-catching talents over the next few years.

>> 2024 CTLG team review: Lions Academy
>> 2024 CTLG team review: Giants Academy
>> 2024 CTLG team review: Suns Academy
>> 2024 CTLG team review: Swans Academy

RESULTS

Western Jets 3.0 (18) defeated Northern Territory Academy 3.0 (18)
Northern Territory Academy 3.2 (20) defeated Murray Bushrangers 0.6 (6)

LEADING STATS-GETTERS:

Disposals: Kierra Zerafa (31.0)
Marks: Marika Carlton (2.5)
Tackles: Popi Gikas (11.5)
Hitouts: Eva Harris (10.5)
Inside 50s: Marika Carlton (4.5)
Rebound 50s: Kierra Zerafa (6.0)
Goals: Eva Harris (1.0)

AFLW DRAFT PROSPECTS TO WATCH

Tatyana Perry
Defender/Midfielder | 171cm | 28/02/2006

The classy defender who can also play up the ground is Northern Territory’s top AFLW Draft prospect in 2024. A member of the AFLW Academy, her clean hands are what stands out about her game, though she can also move inside a phone box with her ability to get herself out of trouble through creating her own space.

Kierra Zerafa
Midfielder/Defender | 166cm | 10/11/2005

The over-age utility racked up more disposals than anyone else from her side by a mile with hauls of 27 and 35 disposals across her two games. Incredibly strong with a booming left boot, Zerafa can just as easily play in defence as she can n the middle, competing hard and applying plenty of tackling pressure to the opposition.

Popi Gikas
Midfielder | 169cm | 28/12/2006

A late-year born talent who has already had SANFLW experience with Sturt, Gikas is a tackling machine, laying 23 across her two Coates Talent League Girls matches. She got better from game one to two, and was able to win the ball on the inside and outside to get it forward well. Still a raw prospect, she has potential for the future.

2025 AFLW Draft:

Talented bottom-ager Marika Carlton is a promising midfielder with upside. Though lightly built, she attacks it hard is a named to keep in mind for next year. Danika McDonald also had promising moments playing as an intercepting defender, while Shakaila Gardiner-Dunn is a tenacious small.

SUMMARY

Northern Territory Academy managed to come away with one win from its two games, and was highly competitive against the Western Jets in torrential rain. While Perry is the standout prospect for this year, the Thunder have some likely types developing through the program over the next few seasons.