QUEENSLAND is a state on the rise at the AFLW Under 18 Championships, finishing last year’s carnival with a 2-1 record and the loss was a competitive effort against eventual champions, South Australia. The Maroons are tipped to go undefeated this year but unfortunately for both them and South Australia, the sides never face off which means it could come down to percentage.

In today’s article, we take a look at some of the names to watch and all you need to know about the Queensland’s national championships campaign.

AFLW ACADEMY MEMBERS

Havana Harris
Bond University / Gold Coast Suns Academy
Key Position Utility | 181cm | 01/07/2006

The potential pick one contender looms as a key player in the championships because she is so difficult to match up on. Not only is she tall and capable of playing anywhere on the field, but has explosive speed and incredibly rare athleticism for a player of her size. Considering what the Vic Metro forwards did to the Allies on the weekend, the threat that Harris looms when inside 50 throughout the whole carnival is huge.

Tara Harrington
Bond University / Gold Coast Suns Academy
Midfielder | 167cm | 24/03/2006

Harrington has missed a bit of footy of late due to injury, but is still a crucial member of the Gold Coast Suns Academy and Queensland sides. Her clean hands on the inside and ability to transition it from midfield to attack, while having the defensive capabilities to drop back and assist is impressive. Harrington has played as a half-back and wing before, so can impact on the outside, with a nice skill set and hardness to-boot.

Lilly Baker
Maroochydore / Brisbane Lions Academy
Ruck / Defender | 179cm | 14/08/2006

The talented, athletic tall missed the start of the year, but returned to represent the AFLW Academy in the clash against the Under 21 All-Stars. She spent a bit more time forward as well as in the ruck, but has played in defence in the past. Baker is just another tall who can fill out all three lines if required, and her athleticism and work rate makes her an impressive prospect. With more football under her belt she will only get better.

OTHERS TO WATCH

Mia Salisbury
Bond University / Gold Coast Suns Academy
Midfielder | 168cm | 27/06/2006

The top-ager looms as one who could be a draft bolter with a big national championships, hovering close to the top 30 in our AFLW Draft Power Rankings. A smooth-mover on the inside, she utilises time and space to impact matches, and makes good decisions with ball-in-hand. While the focus will be on the AFLW Academy members, Salisbury could fly under the radar.

Heidi Talbot
North Cairns / Gold Coast Suns Academy
Defender | 161cm | 18/12/2006

Incredibly the sole prospect from Far North Queensland in the state squad, Talbot has relocated to the Gold Coast where she can fully invest in the Suns Academy. A speedster with some nice tricks, Talbot has reinvented her game from being a small forward who could pinch hit in the middle, to playing off half-back and using her run and carry to advantage. Has a fantastic endurance-speed mix which is important.

Isabella McDonough
Aspley / Brisbane Lions Academy
Utility | 164cm | 13/02/2006

The standout top-ager from the Brisbane Lions Academy through the Coates Talent League Girls competition, McDonough has played both on the inside and outside of midfield, as well as up forward where she can clunk a good mark and hit the scoreboard. Boasting a booming left foot, McDonough provides power out of the stoppage and has some great upside, and looks to be another potential draft bolter.

Zimra Hussain
Wilston Grange / Brisbane Lions Academy
Forward | 160cm | 01/01/2006

Hussain is another utility who has proven herself to play on all three lines. She spent time as a defender and rotational midfielder last year, where she could find the ball at will. Now stationed inside 50 to be a pressure small forward, Hussain is a dangerous talent close to goal, with great goal sense and an ability to evade would-be tacklers or draw free kicks. Through the QAFLW when playing midfield, she consistently racks up big numbers.

Laura Roy
University of Queensland / Brisbane Lions Academy
Defender | 172cm | 16/08/2005

There are not too many over-agers likely to be running around at the national championships, but Roy’s selection is well deserved. A shot to go last year in the AFLW Draft but being unlucky to miss out, she has returned and developed into a consistent intercept defender. Another booming left-footer, Roy can charge out of the back 50, but also push high up the ground and hit the scoreboard with her understanding of the game sensational.

BOTTOM-AGE STARS

Dekota Baron
Southport / Gold Coast Suns Academy
Forward / Ruck | 178cm | 03/01/2007

A promising player in her double bottom-age season, Baron has gone from strength to strength this year as a marking forward in the Gold Coast Suns Academy. She is a fantastic contested mark, boasts great athleticism and is strong in one-on-one contests. Expect her to be among the leading goalkickers this year based off her form in 2024.

Georja Davies
Southport / Gold Coast Suns Academy
Key Position Utility | 183cm | 17/01/2007

The fourth Davies sister behind AFLW-listed trio Giselle, Fleur and Darcie, Georja is developing nicely in her own right. Boasting the ability to leap above most others and compete in the ruck, she has also spent time in attack, defence and even midfield. A unicorn of sorts given her size and mobility, she will compliment the plethora of athletic Queensland talls.

Alannah Welsh
Southport / Gold Coast Suns Academy
Medium Utility | 170cm | 23/11/2007

An Under 16s All-Australian and MVP of the past, Welsh has plenty of talent to develop for the future. She has spent time as a defender and midfielder, but has predominantly played up forward this year for the Suns Academy. Strong one-on-one and smart at leading patterns, she can clunk the marks and crumb as well. Her radar was off at times on goal, but that will come with more experience.

FIXTURES

Sunday, July 7 | vs. Vic Country @ Brighton Homes Arena, 1:30pm AEST
Saturday, July 14 | vs. Allies @ Brighton Homes Arena, 10:15am AEST
Saturday, August 3 | vs. Western Australia @ Revo Fitness Stadium, 1:30pm AEST

TEAM LIST

PREDICTION

Queensland is tipped to go undefeated at the national championships, with percentage separating them from South Australia to determine the overall winner. In saying that, Western Australia has built up some nice depth and could test them in different areas, while Vic Country’s top-end midfield will give its forwards plenty of chances too. But expect the Maroons’ depth to shine through.