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 next is Vic Country, who started strongly in each game before fading off in the second halves, but being far enough ahead of Western Australia to finish on a high in their last game of the carnival.

RESULTS

Vic Country 4.8 (32) lost to Queensland 7.11 (53)
Vic Country 9.9 (63) lost to Vic Metro 15.6 (96)
Vic Country 10.3 (63) defeated Western Australia 5.1 (31)

WHAT WENT RIGHT

• The first halves in each of their games

• Stacked midfield

• Sara Howley’s incredible championships

• The jaw-dropping 56-0 start against Western Australia

• Even contribution from a scoring perspective

WHAT WENT WRONG

• The second halves in each of their games

• Defensive lapses at crucial points

KEY PLAYERS:

Sara Howley (Newtown & Chilwell / Geelong Falcons)
Midfielder | 173cm | 29/01/2006

Stats: 28.0 disposals, 2.3 marks, 7.7 clearances, 2.7 tackles, 4.0 inside 50s, 2.7 rebound 50s, 2 goals

It was a remarkable carnival for the Geelong Falcons star who was arguably best on in each of her three games. An MVP and second All-Australian team adds to her growing CV. Offensively there are few better out of the stoppage, and Howley was an incredible clearance player throughout the carnival, also able to hit the scoreboard which was important as well.

Lou Painter (White Hills / Bendigo Pioneers)
Midfielder | 174cm | 23/02/2006

Stats: 17.7 dispsoals, 3.7 marks, 2.7 clearances, 6.7 tackles, 4.7 inside 50s, 1 goal

Painter was rock solid across the three games to be among the top three with other Top 10 talents, Howley and Centra. Painter was strong in the air, and brought the most pressure around the ball, laying a team-high 6.7 tackles per game. Her ability to get the ball forward consistently, and rip it away from opponents helped force turnovers for her side.

Ash Centra (Sale City / Gippsland Power)
Forward | 174cm | 02/06/2006

Stats: 19.0 disposals, 2.7 marks, 2.0 clearances, 2.7 tackles, 1.3 inside 50s, 1.0 rebound 50s, 4 goals

The star power of Centra showed up in each of the three games, with her midfield performance against Vic Metro – and ability to hit the scoreboard multiple times – was on display. She did it again on the weekend, finishing the carnival with a team-high four goals despite splitting her time between attack and midfield. As classy of an operator as you will find.

Jemma Reynolds (Langwarrin / Dandenong Stingrays)
Midfielder | 163cm | 29/04/2006

Stats: 16.7 disposals, 3.0 marks, 1.3 clearances, 2.0 tackles, 3.3 inside 50s, 1.3 rebound 50s

Reynolds has enjoyed a huge season in 2024, and getting full-time midfield minutes in the final game after largely playing half-forward with spurts in the midfield showed her development. As clean anyone going around, she has a nice balance of inside and outside traits, and can distribute the ball well once given time and space.

Holly Egan (Shepparton Swans / Murray Bushrangers)
Defender | 176cm | 01/07/2006

Stats: 15.3 disposals, 1.7 marks, 1.0 clearances, 3.7 tackles, 2.3 rebound 50s

One of a number of defenders who really enhanced their draft chances over the carnival, Egan provided some valuable run and carry from the back 50 going forward. Her defensive pressure at ground level complimented her aerial presence, and she was able to add a point of difference to the back 50 group who were predominantly one-on-one defenders.

Jemmika Douglas (Bambill / Bendigo Pioneers)
Defender | 166cm | 20/02/2006

Stats: 12.7 disposals, 2.0 marks, 1.0 clearances, 3.7 tackles, 3.0 rebound 50s

Another athletic player to share the load with Egan was Douglas, and the Bendigo Pioneers defender had her moments throughout the carnival. She brings 100 per cent effort each and every time she goes out there, and had the highest groundball percentage from players with an average of 10 or more disposals, showing her ability to win her own ball.

Alexis Gregor (Moama / Bendigo Pioneers)
Key Defender / Forward | 180cm | 07/04/2006

Stats: 12.0 disposals, 2.7 marks, 2.3 tackles, 1.7 inside 50s, 2.3 rebound 50s

Gregor came into the national carnival as a contested marking forward, but finished it as a defender, and has seemingly found her role. She has spent time there for the Pioneers, and boasting a booming kick along with great one-on-one ability and a nice vertical jump, she saved the day on a number of occasions.

#14 Kayla Dalgleish (Officer / Dandenong Stingrays)
Forward | 161cm | 15/07/2006

Stats: 7.7 disposals, 2.0 marks, 1.0 clearances, 1.3 tackles, 1.3 inside 50s, 2 goals

The stats do not necessarily do Dalgleish justice for the work she did inside 50. Clean and zippy at ground level, she provided a few headaches for the opposition in the front half of the ground. Though she did not get the midfield minutes that she would have at the Stingrays, she played her role and showed how she can be a two-way small forward.

Millie Lang (Redan / GWV Rebels)
Defender | 177cm | 06/11/2006

Stats: 16.0 disposals, 1.0 marks, 5.0 rebound 50s

Missed Country’s clash against Metro and was sorely missed for that one, but returned against Western Australia to put in a strong performance. Though not as dominant aerially as at the start of the season, she used the ball well and consistently rebounded out of the back 50, averaging the equal second most kicks in the side, and topped the rebound 50s count.

Claire Mahony (Lake Wendouree / GWV Rebels)
Forward | 181cm | 21/06/2006

Stats: 8.7 disposals, 4.3 marks, 1.7 hitouts, 1.0 inside 50s, 2 goals

Mahony continues to show glimpses of what she is capable of at the level. Her contested marking is as good as anyone’s, and she can play in just about any role with her running capacity, athleticism and ball use. Her consistency and involvement within games can waver at times, but her high impact-per-possession is undoubted and her upside is massive.

OTHERS:

Outside of the top seven or eight players, it was a real even contribution across the board from Vic Country. Zoe Besanko had some great moments for the ‘Big V’ rotating between the ruck and forward, while Geelong Falcons midfielder Chloe Bryant made the wing her home in the opening two games. Stella Huxtable really shone in her two games and looms as one to watch for next year, while talls Sienna Hobbs (two) and Elli Symonds (one) were important as well. Skipper Mekah Morrissy brought consistency each and every game as well.

SUMMARY

Vic Country finished the championships with a well-deserved win. Having been in the contest for the first two games but just not being able to finish off, it was reward for effort for the Country side, who after the first minute of the final term against Western Australia, were able to stem the bleeding. Despite the varied differences in each half in terms of scoring and conceding scores, Vic Country can finish the carnival with a respectable 1-2 record.