AS each AFL Women’s Under 18 Championships state completes its national carnival, we take a look at how the three-game carnival went, some of the impressive players, and those to keep an eye on next year.

Up first is the Allies, who enjoyed an upset win over title contender Queensland either side of heavy losses to Vic Metro and South Australia.

RESULTS

Allies 2.7 (19) lost to Vic Metro 17.11 (113)
Allies 8.3 (51) defeated Queensland 5.6 (36)
Allies 3.4 (22) lost to South Australia 15.10 (100)

WHAT WENT RIGHT

• Confidence-boosting win over Queensland

• Midfield for large portions

• Speed and willingness to take the game on

• Bottom-age prospects shine to show promise for next year

• Imogen Brown getting drafted after one game

WHAT WENT WRONG

• Defensive lapses; conceding marks inside 50

• Injuries in game three

KEY PLAYERS:

Isla Wiencke (Belconnen / Giants Academy)
Midfielder / Forward | 174cm | 30/03/2007

Stats: 17.7 disposals, 2.7 marks, 4.3 clearances, 5.0 tackles, 3.0 inside 50s, 1.3 rebound 50s, 1 goal

The bottom-ager bull was strong on the inside, winning 59.6 per cent of her possessions in a contest, and running at a disposal efficiency of 62.3 per cent. On numbers alone, she lead in disposals and clearances, and barring Brown’s sole 11-tackle effort was equal most in tackles too. While she can occasionally bomb the ball on the boot, the power she gets from kicking as well as her ability to break tackles stands out. A player hard to bring down and she can compete in the air up forward too.

Priya Bowering (Lauderdale / Tasmania Devils)
Midfielder / Forward | 167cm | 02/01/2007

Stats: 17.7 disposals, 1.7 marks, 3.0 clearances, 2.0 tackles, 2.0 inside 50s, 1.3 rebound 50s, 1 goal

Often playing a team-first role, Bowering’s work on the inside has to be watched closely to be appreciated. An absolute contested ball-winning star, Bowering was yet another bottom-ager who caught the eye for the Allies. One of a host of Tasmanian prospects for next year, the Under 16s All-Australian won 59.3 per cent of her possessions in a contest, but most impressively had the highest percentage of ground ball from anyone in her side who played more than one game (51.9 per cent).

Mackenzie Williams (North Hobart / Tasmania Devils)
Defender | 171cm | 26/06/2006

Stats: 16.7 disposals, 4.3 marks, 1.7 tackles, 6.3 rebound 50s

Complementing the inside bulls, Williams did her best work on the outside rebounding from defence and often looking for the handball receive to breakdown the opposition defensive zones. She had a team-high disposal efficiency of 70 per cent with a lot of her kicks being long ones to safety. She shared the equal most marks with fellow defender Hall, and was comfortably the highest rebounder on the team with 6.3 per match. She has played inside before, but in the championships she was back to her intercepting role.

Ellie Veerhuis (Figtree / Swans Academy)
Midfielder | 173cm | 18/01/2006

Stats: 13.7 disposals, 1.0 marks, 1.7 clearances, 4.7 tackles, 1.3 rebound 50s

One of the players who improved their draft stocks over the national carnival would have been Veerhuis who really stepped up in the midfield showing she can be a versatile tall between half-back and on-ball. at 173cm she is taller than a lot of midfielders, and she was able to share the load around the stoppages and lay enormous amounts of defensive pressure. She won more than 50 per cent of her touches at the coalface, and was top five in tackles for the Allies. Likes to take the game on and backs herself.

Madeleine Quinn (UTS Bats / Swans Academy)
Ruck | 185cm | 10/02/2007

Stats: 9.7 disposals, 1.3 marks, 17.3 hitouts, 1.0 clearances, 4.3 tackles, 2.3 inside 50s

Another who put her hand up as a contender to be one of the top rucks for next season, Quinn essentially single-handedly took the ruck duties when often double and triple-teamed in the role. She averaged 17.3 hitouts per game – the next most was 3.0 – and also was strong at ground level and used the ball relatively well too. Still learning some fundamentals, but the foundation is there and the athletic tall is not afraid to chase down smaller players and use her speed to full advantage.

Emma Juneja (Sydney University / Swans Academy)
Wing | 172cm | 08/05/2006

Stats: 15.3 disposals, 2.7 marks, 1.7 clearances, 1.3 tackles, 3.0 inside 50s, 2.3 rebound 50s, 1 goal

If the All-Australian team opts for specialists wings this year then Juneja would be a good shout on exposed value. The AFLW Academy member plays the role so well and gets back to help out her defence consistently. She was in the best in two of her three games, and though her kicking efficiency was a little down, she was often under pressure having to save the day in defence. Her hands were clean and she showed off her outstanding aerial ability too.

Ellie Hall (Murray Bushrangers / Giants Academy)
Defender | 174cm | 07/07/2006

Stats: 15.3 disposals, 4.3 marks, 1.7 tackles. 4.3 rebound 50s

Coming off an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury last season, Hall did not miss a beat since returning for both the Giants Academy and Murray Bushrangers. Though she spent time in the midfield for the latter, she was stationed purely in defence for the Allies, where she had the equal-most marks and second most rebound 50s. Her best role is an intercepting player with a damaging kick, but at times had to go head-to-head against taller opponents to try and nullify them. Was often tasked with the kickouts.

Amelie Prosser-Shaw (East Coast Eagles / Giants Academy)
Utility | 175cm | 14/11/2006

Stats: 13.0 disposals, 2.0 marks, 1.7 clearances, 2.7 tackles, 2.0 inside 50s, 1.0 rebound 50s, 1 goal

One of those players that can play anywhere on the field, Prosser-Shaw is a prototype of the future. At 175cm with explosive speed and unique versatility, she will no doubt attract interest outside the Giants. Others might win more of the ball, but when she wins it she can do a lot of damage with her metres gained. Strong on the inside and quick on the outside, she understands the game well which has come from playing as an intercept defender.

Ella Parker (UTS Bats / Swans Academy)
Defender / Forward | 170cm | 04/10/2006

Stats: 11.3 disposals, 2.7 marks, 5.0 tackles, 1.3 inside 50s, 4.0 rebound 50s

Parker played a tough role in defence, often battling against taller opposition. She provided her trademark run and carry and laid stacks of tackles throughout the carnival to be the equal most of Allies players who played every game. She also had the third most rebound 50s, and though at times could be beaten in the air giving away centimetres, was strong at ground level, applying pressure and forcing turnovers in the back half. Went forward late against South Australia too in a switch up.

Tatyana Perry (Palmerston Magpies / Northern Territory)
Defender | 171cm | 28/02/2006

Stats: 11.7 disposals, 2.3 marks, 1.7 tackles, 1.0 rebound 50s

Provided a calming and composed head in the back 50 and used it far better than her disposal efficiency might suggest, often attacking the contest hard and putting it to the advantage of her teammates. Incredibly clean at ground level, her first two games in particular were very good, and she can take advantage of any opponent where she can utilise her speed and smarts. An AFLW Academy member who showed she could match it with quality forwards, and provide run while being accountable.

OTHERS:

Tasmanian duo Sophie Strong and Lucy Thompson‘s carnivals might have ended on a disappointing note with injury, but the pair were strong in the win over Queensland, while Thompson also impressed in the loss to Vic Metro through the midfield. Their Devils teammate Mischa Barwin and another bottom-ager in Marika Carlton also played some fantastic football across the course of the championships, while Ash Patton stepped up in a new role in defence against Queensland.

SUMMARY

The Allies would be pleased to have got the win against Queensland, especially on the road. The performances either side of that were not ideal, though the third game against South Australia came with excuses being two players down on the bench for more than a half. Taking the learnings from the loss to Vic Metro, the Allies performed better defensively around the ground, and have a host of bottom-agers to watch for next year’s championships.