WITHOUT a doubt the match of the 2025 AFL Women’s Under 16s Development Championships, GWS Giants Academy snatched the victory over Tasmania from the jaws of defeat. Trailing by 28 points with two minutes left in the third term, the Giants slammed home five unanswered goals to run over the top of the Tasmanians, the last coming in the final minute of the match.

As the match ticked into the final few minutes, Erin Watkinson had just strolled into an open goal for Tasmania’s sixth goal, to stretch the lead out to 28, 6.8 (44) to 2.4 (16) and the Devils looked home and hosed. However a third goal to Billie Hamilton on the death of three quarter time gave the visitors the slightest of sniffs.

Hamilton would turn out to be the match-winners, slamming home three more for the match, including the very last one with a terrific final play to hit the front with less than 30 seconds on the clock. Fittingly it would be Matilda Lange – clearly best on ground with 35 touches, 10 clearances and three goals – would have the last possession, bursting out of the middle to try and win it for her side, but as she approached 55m out, the siren sounded.

>> 2025 AFLW U16s | Scouting Notes: Giants Academy vs Northern Territory

>> 2025 AFLW U16s | Scouting Notes: Swans Academy vs Tasmania

GIANTS ACADEMY 1.1 | 1.4 | 3.4 | 7.6 (48)
TASMANIA 2.4 | 3.7 | 6.9 | 6.10 (46)

GOALS:
Giants Academy: B. Hamilton 6, Z. Quigley
Tasmania: M. Lange, A. Cottam, O. Lyons, E. Watkinson

RMC BEST:
Giants Academy: B. Hamilton, E. Henley, C. Gibson, A. Rainbow, E. Lihou
Tasmania: M. Lange, A. Cottam, O. Lyons, S. Dean, L. Murgatroyd

GIANTS ACADEMY:

#27 Charlie Gibson
Lavington Panthers | 172cm | 14/05/2009

A huge performance from Gibson who rotated between midfield and attack and worked in tandem with Henley. Both will be exciting prospects for the Murray Bushrangers, and Gibson was vital in using some slick evasive moves – such as an explosive burst or spin out of trouble – to impact the game. However the final execution is still a work in progress which is something she will look to work on over the coming years. Gibson had a couple of chances on goal that did not go to play, but her contested ball-winning and strength at the coalface enabled her teammates to be better.

#28 Evie Henley
North Albury | 172cm | 13/07/2009

The North Albury prospect was a standout in the win, racking up 31 disposals, three marks, five tackles, 10 clearances and five inside 50s, going toe-for-toe with Lange for best onballer afield. Despite winning two thirds of her possessions in a contest, Henley was able to use the ball effectively, and is often a player who draws the opponent to her and then releases cleanly by hand to open up the game. Henley does not mind a fend-off as well, and it takes a fair bit to bring her down, though at one stage a second player from her blindside did win a holding the ball free for their tackle. She was everywhere and willed her team to victory by keeping the ball going forward.

#30 Amelia Rainbow
Mosman | 173cm | 08/09/2009

Played a key role in defence and was accountable for her opponent, setting the tone early with a great body spoil one-on-one. She saved a goal on the defensive goalline three minutes into the second term mopping up and remained diligent in her approach to her football. One eye-catching play in the fourth quarter saw her burst through the middle, accept the handball then bomb it deep inside 50. A ranking kick who can use either side of her body and compete against a variety of opponents.

#34 Billie Hamilton
Queanbeyan | 169cm | 14/11/2009

It was simply a brilliant display from the talent forward who kicked four goals in the final 22 minutes to drag her team across the line. Crafty around goals, Hamilton can be a lead-up forward and convert from the set shot, or cleanly craft something out of nothing. As good as the two star midfielders were, Hamilton was out of this work with her finishing. She saved her best until last as well, clunking an intercept mark in the middle of the ground and sensing there was less than a minute left, charged forward. She had a one-two with a teammate then within range from 45m launched long and got the fortunate bounce in the goalsquare over the deepest contest to win the game for her side.

TASMANIA:

#1 Aya Cottam
South Launceston | 167cm | 10/01/2010

Cottam has produced a really starring carnival and her second game was nothing short of sensational. The bottom-age prospect is far more readymade than her age might suggest, and she was able to set up several goalscoring opportunities going inside 50, then when rotated forward, read the flight of an ugly, tumbling ball to mark. She converted that set shot from 30m to cap off a mind-boggling 12-disposal first term. She was best on ground at that stage, and remained among the best for the rest of the match, finishing with 24 touches, three marks, seven tackles, four clearances, seven inside 50s and a goal. Had a couple more chances on goal that missed, but also used her speed to advantage down the middle of the ground.

#13 Matilda Lange
Kingborough | 166cm | 30/01/2009

Accolades continue to grow for the star teenager who is genuinely in the conversation as the best from her age group at this early stage. Lange was near-unstoppable as she amassed 35 disposals, 10 clearances, six inside 50s and booted 3.2 in a remarkable effort between midfield and attack. She almost dragged the Devils over the line – with support from a host of talented teammates too – and showed off her wide away of damaging weapons. Lange can kick both sides of her body, clunk contested marks, win crucial groundballs, and as the statline suggests, kick big goals. Two set shot majors and one from general play made it a perfect all-round game with Lange picking up game-highs in hardball gets (five) and contested possessions (23).

#16 Olivia Lyons
Ulverstone | 172cm | 20/07/2009

Covered the ground well between defence and attack, popping up for some crucial plays to keep the ball moving forward. She often looked to go route one down the middle, and tried to step up in the last term as well. Lyons rushed a behind early in the fourth when under danger, having also done some great work up the other end when marking at speed and not breaking stride to finish off well with a nice major. Defensively was sound as well, laying five tackles.

#17 Sophie Dean
South Launceston | 172cm | 30/01/2009

Another strong prospect who could play in just about any role, Dean holds her positioning well, took a great intercept mark in the first term and always looked to go long down the field to create distance for her side. She ran at over 80 per cent disposal efficiency, and had an eye-catching moment at one stage when tackled and she was able to hold her ground and turn to get her arms free and dish off to a running teammate.