PROFILED | 2025 National Academy vs. All Stars additions

A DOZEN fresh faces will step out for the All Stars side against the National Academy on Sunday – as well as a talented sister-of for the Australian Under 18s – with many rewarded for outstanding form this season. WE profile each of those players who come in for game two and what they offer on the field.

Nalu Brothwell (Dandenong Stingrays/Vic Country)
Tall Forward | 173cm | 22/10/2007

The sister of current Academy member Mizuki was added to the National Academy given the injury issues within the squad so she will get the chance to don the Coat of Arms as well. Her omission from even the All Stars squad from game one raised some eyebrows, but she is in and is having a huge 2025 season for the Stingrays. Not only does she kick goals, but she presents up the ground, gets involved and is so creative with ball in hand to set others up too.

Evelyn Connolly (Dandenong Stingrays/Vic Country)
Forward | 169cm | 26/05/2007

The absolute class finisher, Connolly just knows where the goals are and can really do a lot of damage on the scoreboard. Having increased her tank over the preseason, she can not only impact down back – having been tested there at times – but also through the middle with her power and strength impressive around the stoppages. Expect her to be a forward option though, with her reading of the play inside 50 very good and she is proactive on the lead.

Carys D’Addario bursts away from the stoppage against West Perth. Image credit: via WAFL

Carys D’Addario (Swan Districts/Western Australia)
Midfielder | 168cm | 01/03/2007

A well-deserved call-up for the Swan Districts prospect who just has a well-rounded game. In just about every facet she is either above average or well above average, and is an elite contested ball-winner which underpins her profile. She has been dominating through the Swans’ midfield alongside former National Academy member Jaime Henry, and is coming off a massive 29-disposal and nine-inside 50 performance against Claremont. Will worry some opposition Academy members around the ball.

Asher Fearn-Wannan (Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro)
Tall Utility | 177cm | 14/12/2007

Will she play on the wing, down back, up forward, through the middle or in the ruck? Genuinely capable of playing on any line in any role, the ultra-athletic Fearn-Wannan has most recently been starting on a wing then giving chop out in the ruck for Eastern Ranges alongside Josie Bamford who is also in the All Stars side. Don’t expect her to spend much time there though with Isobella Hishongwa-Gibb also in the team, which means she can utilise her running capacity on the outside and thumping the ball forward.

Rhianna Ingram (Suns Academy/Queensland)
Defender | 167cm | 20/10/2007

A great reward for form from the Suns Academy member who was a shining light during the Gold Coast’s campaign at Coates Talent League Girls level. Rebounding defenders can often be a little harder to judge given the ease with racking up stats from the kickouts, but Ingram did a lot more than that, providing great defensive work as well as offensive drive. One of the most consistent players for the Suns, she will add some important run from the back 50.

Maggie Johnstone (GWV Rebels/Vic Country)
Midfielder/Forward | 171cm | 06/06/2007

Another player who was probably a touch unlucky not to make the first All Stars squad given she started the season with 20-plus disposals and multiple goals in each of her first three games, Johnstone bears similar traits to that of Zoe Hargreaves in the sense she can play in most positions, has a powerful burst and kick, as well as being strong overhead. Johnstone has a number of tricks too, is very smart around goals and when she is switched on, is hard to contain. Has been known to casually slot goals from 50m.

Maggie Johnstone bursts away with ball in hand for the Rebels. Image credit: Rookie Me Central

Sunny Lappin (Suns Academy/Queensland)
Midfielder/Wing | 170cm | 28/11/2007

Has hardly put a foot wrong this season between Southport in the QAFL Womens and the Suns Academy at Coates Talent League Girls level. The daughter of Matthew – so eligible to both Carlton and St Kilda as well as of course the Suns – clubs will get a good idea of where she fits from the upcoming national championships. She’s a Top 30 prospect on our board, and while her venture inside has reduced that efficiency she has on the outside, she showed she can win her own ball as well as burst down the ground and influence scoring chains.

Alex Neyland (Swans Academy/Allies)
Tall Forward | 178cm | 04/09/2007

The draft bolter of this year’s crop, Neyland came in at #15 in our most recent Power Rankings. The reality is she is the complete package when it comes to tall forwards, with just her precision from her kicking the only real knock. She is a strong marker, ridiculously good at ground level with her defensive pressure and not only hits the scoreboard but sets up her teammate too. Oh, and she’s an outstanding athlete. Will be a problem for the National Academy defence.

Grace Parsons (Swans Academy/Allies)
Key Forward | 180cm | 10/12/2007

The Swans have two genuine stars as marking forwards, and while Parsons does not quite have the tank or impact up the ground as Neyland does, she does have the kick. If you could have one player to kick for your life, it could well be Parsons who can nail them from everywhere with a no-fuss set shot technique. She might only have seven touches, but it would not surprise to see her walk away with four or five goals. Hard to beat on the lead or air given her speed off the mark.

Jovie Skewes-Clinton (GWV Rebels/Vic Country)
Tall Utility | 176cm | 15/11/2007

The second GWV Rebels addition to the All Stars, there’s just something about Skewes-Clinton. She obviously has natural talent and can play on all three lines, but when she is up and about, everyone seems to play better alongside her. She spends half the game in defence then gets thrown forward and can kick multiple goals in a quarter – with four in a final term as one example earlier this year. Smart around goals and a lovely ball user to-boot as well.

Imogen Trengove (Woodville-West Torrens/South Australia)
Utility | 165cm | 25/04/2007

A well deserved call-up for Trengove who has been starring for the Eagles this season in the SANFLW and will run opponents ragged with her work rate and contest to contest effort. She covers the ground so well, has neat skills and can hit the scoreboard, booting 10 goals for the ladder-leading Eagles in a pretty stacked front five. Last weekend she went into the midfield in the absence of star onballer Christina Leuzzi and had 27 disposals, 11 tackles, six clearances and nine inside 50. A high-upside prospect.

Lucy Waye (West Adelaide/South Australia)
Forward/Wing | 166cm | 07/06/2007

Ultra-consistent and similar to Trengove, Waye is a hard-running half-forward who can play on a wing, or even go in at the stoppages. Her athletic profile is sensational with a strong speed-endurance mix, but the way she wins the ball is most impressive. Reliable overhead, clean at ground level and one who run past for the handball receive, Waye has not played a bad game all season and has a body of work the past two years, too. Will work over her opponents on the day.

Kiera Yerbury is a powerful midfielder who runs hard forward. Image credit: Rookie Me Central

Kiera Yerbury (Swans Academy/Allies)
Midfielder | 173cm | 24/07/2007

The third Swans Academy member to make the list, Yerbury is an athletic and hard-running midfielder, coming off a stat-stuffing 34-disposal performance against the Oakleigh Chargers. A good size at 173cm, Yerbury can compete both in the air and at ground level, and play as the first or second possession winner given her quick hands and burst speed away. Is still building aspects of her game to polish it all up, but will run defensively and attack offensively too.

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