ALL six MVPs have been confirmed at the close of the 2024 AFL Women’s Under 18 Championships, with an even split between three top-agers and three bottom-agers. Here are those award winners from the national carnival.

Best and Fairest:

Sierra Grieves (Vic Metro)
Midfielder | 163cm | 18/05/2006

The consistent onballer has hardly ever played a bad game, and continues to rack up the ball with ease. Her clearance work is what underpins her game, but the defensive pressure she applies when not in possession is outstanding. Of all the top midfielders, she has the best defensive running and works incredibly hard to find the ball all around the ground. Though previously a pure inside midfielder who rested forward and hit the scoreboard, Grieves has really improved her outside game extracting it and bursting away, often taking multiple bounces which has taken her work to another level in 2024.

Top-agers:

Sara Howley (Vic Country)
Midfielder | 173cm | 29/01/2006

Similar to Grieves, Howley is a natural accumulator who can have some massive stat-stuffing performances. The reigning Rookie Me Central Medallist and Coates Talent League Girls League Best and Fairest, Howley continued where she left off last season. Her offensive running and ability to rack up multiple possessions in a chain has always been a key, but she showed her could be a strong first-possession winner, particularly in the loss to Vic Metro. Was arguably best on in each of Country’s three games. For the Falcons, Howley has spent more time forward to add a second position to her CV.

Esther Schirmer (South Australia)
Defender | 177cm | 08/06/2006

Often playing an unheralded role in defence for both South Adelaide and South Australia, Schirmer really upped her offensive game in 2024. Given the confidence by Panthers’ coaching staff to use her run and skills to impact up the ground, Schirmer has enjoyed a fantastic year. A back-to-back SANFLW Team of the Year representative, the defender takes on big jobs and has nice closing speed on the lead as well as a good leap. Her first two games in the national carnival were eye-catching, and in an even field was acknowledged for her work by the coaching staff and named at full-back in the All-Australian team.

Bottom-agers:

Evie Cowcher (Western Australia)
Defender/Midfielder | 174cm | 03/08/2007

The only state MVP to go back-to-back, it is incredible to think the Peel Thunder defender is still not eligible for the AFLW Draft until next year. Starting the midfield for this year’s carnival, Cowcher eventually rolled back into defence, spending a whole third game in the back 50. So strong overhead and reading the play like a book, Cowcher is best utilised as an intercepting third tall defender. Competitive and always keen to clear the danger, the West Australian has a booming, accurate kick and will often be an accumulator out of the back half, taking kickouts.

Georja Davies (Queensland)
Ruck | 183cm | 17/01/2007

One of the top prospects for next year and among a trio of star Queenslanders, Davies had a national carnival to remember. The key position player has rare athleticism with a massive vertical leap, also gaining vital experience through the QAFLW. Winning a flag with Southport last weekend, Davies is set to join sisters Giselle, Fleur and Darcie at the elite level in just over 12 months time. Incredibly, Davies has not just played as a ruck, or even a resting forward, but a midfielder as well, and has an incredible sidestep for anyone, let alone 183cm player. Enormous upside and ready to go now too.

Isla Wiencke (Allies)
Midfielder/Forward | 174cm | 30/03/2007

The GWS Giants Academy member is a player with plenty of upside and has been rock solid throughout both the Giants’ Coates Talent League Girls campaign, and national carnival. Unlucky not to make the All-Australian team, Wiencke can play both as that strong inside midfielder, or go forward and provide a target, with strong hands both above her head and at ground level. She has a booming kick that will clear any danger, and can burst from a stoppage with great power. If she can round out her game further in 2025, she will become even more damaging, but looms as the Giants’ top prospects for next year.