NEXT year’s brightest AFLW Draft prospects will head to GMHBA Stadium on August 31 to play a showcase match as part of a curtain-raiser for the opening round of AFL Women’s action. A total of 49 players were selected from across the country to take part in the AFL National Futures program, with the match to be part of a larger three-day program.

The 49-player squad includes four players who are currently unavailable including early pick one favourite Ava Usher, as well as Victorian duo Chloe Baker-West and Olivia Lacy, and West Australian talent Olivia Crane.

Vic Metro boasts the most representatives with 10 players, two clear of Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia, while Vic Country has severn players in the squad. From the Allied states, Tasmania and Northern Territory both have three, while NSW/ACT have two.

Among the players named in the squad are 2023 West Australian MVP Evie Cowcher, 2024 Queensland MVP Georja Davies and 2023 AFLW Under 16 Championships MVP Mia Russo. The squad also features a set of twins, with Dandenong Stingrays’ Mizuki and Nalu Brothwell named, as is Carlton and St Kilda father-daughter eligible Queenslander Sunny Lappin.

All 49 players are eligible for the 2025 AFLW Draft, with the Futures Girls squad to arrive on Friday, August 30, and take part in a number of training and education sessions as well as take part in the match.

Further information on the match will be announced shortly, including the final teams. The match will be livestreamed at www.afl.com.au/aflw and the AFLW app.

AFL National Academy Manager Tarkyn Lockyer said the program was a fantastic experience for everyone involved.

“It is extremely exciting to have many of the best under-17 footballers from across the country coming together in Melbourne to take part in the Marsh AFL National Futures Girls program,” he said.

“The Futures program provides a great opportunity for our young footballers to come together in a high-performance environment as they prepare to enter their draft year.

“Players will engage in a host of training and football education sessions, but the highlight will be Saturday’s game at GMHBA Stadium, which will provide a great experience for our young stars to showcase their talent as part of Week 1 of the 2024 NAB AFLW Season.”

2024 AFL NATIONAL FUTURES GIRLS SQUAD