QUEENSLAND came away with two wins from three games at last year’s AFL Women’s Under 18 Championships and will look to go one better given its stacked squad brimming with talent. The Maroons will come in with plenty of questions given a number of players are either returning or missing due to ongoing injury concerns but we profile each of the top-agers.

>> FULL SQUAD: Queensland announces 2025 AFLW U18s squad

NATIONAL ACADEMY MEMBERS:

Dekota Baron (Southport/Suns Academy)
Key Forward/Ruck | 179cm | 03/01/2007

CTLG Stats: DNP (injured)

Unfortunately a finger injury sustained last year has kept Baron on ice missing not only the Coates Talent League Girls matches but also the National Academy games as well. A top five prospect with her combination of contested marking and athleticism, the Southport tall can also roll through the ruck as well as play forward, and poses a huge threat to any opposition defender. Will be a very good player for a long time.

Georja Davies (Southport/Suns Academy)
Midfielder/Ruck | 185cm | 17/01/2007

CTLG Stats: 20.0 disposals, 5.7 marks, 1.7 hitouts, 4.3 tackles 2.3 clearances, 3.0 rebound 50s

Got to play three out of the four games at Coates Talent League Girls level – missing the last due to suspension – but has also been really consistent throughout the QAFL Women’s season, earning a Rising Star nomination for a third straight year. The fourth of the Davies sisters set to reach the top level, the youngest of the quartet has spent more time as a 185cm midfielder though can play on any line given her athleticism and smarts.

Ava Usher (Bond University/Suns Academy)
Midfielder | 163cm | 11/08/2007

CTLG Stats: DNP (injured)

The universal top pick in this year’s AFLW Draft is still yet to take the field since tearing her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in preseason last year. She had hoped to return in April but it has been a cautious approach given the star has very little to prove to clubs based off what she showed in her double bottom-age season. Usher ticks just about every box with explosive athleticism, smarts and an ability to do damage with every disposal.

Alannah Welsh (Southport/Suns Academy)
Utility | 169cm | 23/11/2007

CTLG Stats: 13.0 disposals, 1.8 marks, 4.3 tackles, 1.8 inside 50s, 2.3 goals

Though Welsh has played on all three lines over the last few seasons, she has settled into a role as a forward, averaging more than two goals per game for the Suns Academy in the Coates Talent League Girls competition. Without Baron, Welsh was the figurehead up forward and she showed an aggressive approach to the way she plays. Another first round talent who will benefit from some more talls around her at the national championships.

TOP-AGE/OVER-AGE TALENTS:

Millar Brosnan-Ball (Bond University/Suns Academy)
Ruck | 178cm | 29/12/2006

CTLG Stats: 8.8 disposals, 2.3 marks, 15.0 hitouts, 3.8 tackles

The over-ager took the ruck duties at the Suns Academy allowing Davies to play on-ball, and while still developing her all-round game showed promising signs. She attacked the contest hard, applied pressure and her follow-up work was very good. Though Brosnan-Ball is an over-age player, she is just three days off being a top-ager, so that shows improvement will continue to come with more exposure. Should share the ruck duties with Corrigan.

Sienna Burnham (Southport/Suns Academy)
Midfielder | 162cm | 12/07/2007

CTLG Stats: 14.3 disposals, 1.8 marks, 5.8 tackles, 1.3 clearances, 1.5 inside 50s

The top-age talent made her Southport QAFL Women’s debut on the weekend and she stepped up to that level without too many problems, following on from her quick transition from Broadbeach to the Sharks. She is a tenacious tackler, has a real crack and boasts nice footy smarts around the ground. Given the midfield depth might play as a pressure forward for the Maroons, but is easily adaptable to a win too.

Monique Corrigan (Aspley/Lions Academy)
Ruck | 187cm | 06/04/2007

CTLG Stats: 7.0 disposals, 1.0 marks, 23.0 hitouts, 8.0 tackles, 2.0 clearances

Only got a game’s glimpse of the top rated Lions Academy draft prospect at Talent League level with the athletic ruck showing plenty against the Oakleigh Chargers. Naturally she was very impressive with her tap work given her height and mobility, but her follow-up work to lay eight tackles in that game was a point of difference. Corrigan has to deal with a fair bit of travel (from Hervey Bay), but will be primed for a big national championships campaign. Made the move from Maroochydore to Aspley over the off-season too and has played the past fortnight with the Hornets.

Jemma Foley (Maroochydore/Lions Academy)
Defender | 166cm | 28/11/2007

CTLG Stats: 13.8 disposals, 2.0 marks, 4.8 tackles, 6.8 rebound 50s

Earmarked as the one to watch from the Lions Academy by coach Emma Zielke in preseason, Foley has not disappointed with a big campaign through the Coates Talent League Girls competition. The running defender found her play be it high or deep in the back 50, applying pressure in the air or at ground level, and transition the ball from defence into offence. Will team up well with Ingram given both of her big campaigns thus far.

Annabelle Foat (Bond University/Suns Academy)
Midfielder | 164cm | 23/04/2007

CTLG Stats: 18.3 disposals, 2.3 marks, 5.3 tackles, 1.8 clearances, 1.3 inside 50s, 1.0 rebound 50s

Gained some experience outside the midfield, but is a natural contested ball-winning player who thrives on the inside. She is a renowned tackler and generally neat with ball in hand, earning best afield honours for the All Stars in their first game against the National Academy. One of the best Queenslanders outside the National Academy, Foat will be a key player given the injuries to others who would play similar roles.

Alicia Gordon (Southport/Suns Academy)
Defender | 164cm | 17/07/2006

CTLG Stats: 11.0 disposals, 2.8 marks, 2.3 tackles, 2.5 rebound 50s

Another over-ager who held her own through the Coates Talent League Girls competition, Gordon plays a role each and every week and will be another hoping to make her mark at the national carnival. Not a massive ball-winner, she will likely be accountable for a direct opponent and shut them down, though can still provide drive out of defence.

Kaiya Hides (Wilston Grange/Lions Academy)
Utility | 166cm | 09/02/2006

CTLG Stats: 13.0 disposals, 1.5 marks, 5.3 tackles, 1.8 clearances, 2.8 inside 50s, 1.5 rebound 50s

One of the more unlucky over-agers to miss out on being drafted last season, Hides has been developing more of that inside game to add to her fluent outside running capacity. An explosive player with fantastic defensive instincts, she runs down opponents in tackles more than just about anyone else. Hides is another who switched QAFLW clubs, originally from Maroochydore, but moved closer to the city with Wilston Grange. It will be fascinating to see what role she plays as she can slot in just about anywhere.

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

CTLG Stats: 25.3 disposals, 3.8 marks, 2.3 tackles, 6.3 rebound 50s

Had the ball on a string throughout the Coates Talent League Girls competition, Ingram consistently found the footy and cleared the danger from defence. While taking the kickouts most of the time, Ingram did more than just rack up stats that way, also intercepting in the air, or mopping up at half-back and being her side’s most prolific ball-winner throughout the campaign. No doubt will find plenty of it once more, and her form earned her a place with the All Stars for game two.

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

CTLG Stats: 23.0 disposals, 3.8 marks, 3.5 tackles, 3.0 clearances, 3.0 inside 50s, 3.8 rebound 50s, 0.5 goals

Arguably the most damaging player outside the National Academy for the top-agers, Lappin will be one who garners plenty of discussion given her ties to not only the Suns through the Academy, but also Carlton and St Kilda through the father-daughter rule (Matthew). Lappin is a speedy outside star who transitions the ball well and has nice footy smarts, and has been developing her inside game both for the Suns and Southport. Watch for her to play a hybrid inside-outside role and she can hit the scoreboard while doing so.

Niamh McCarthy (Aspley/Lions Academy)
Ruck | 177cm | 11/05/2007

CTLG Stats: 6.8 disposals, 0.8 marks, 10.5 hitouts, 4.7 tackles, 1.8 clearances, 1.2 rebound 50s

With Corrigan unavailable through the early games, McCarthy took the ruck duties for the Lions Academy and held her own in the contest and at ground level. While not a prolific aerial player like some of the other rucks, she covered the ground well, could rotate behind the ball and also lock it up when required with fierce defensive pressure. Will be there to rotate with Corrigan and Brosnan-Ball if required and may even play a key defensive role.

Isabella McDonough (Aspley/Lions Academy)
Midfielder/Forward | 175cm | 13/02/2006

CTLG Stats: 7.8 disposals, 0.8 marks, 6.8 tackles, 1.8 clearances, 1.2 inside 50s, 0.5 goals

Injury struck for McDonough last year who had limited chances to shine for the Maroons coming off an incredible 2024 Coates Talent League Girls campaign. Largely playing forward this year which pinch-hitting through the midfield, McDonough gets another crack at representing her state and building on her one game from last year. A good size and loves to get onto her left side.

Mikayla Nurse (Southport/Suns Academy)
Wing/Midfielder | 168cm | 19/09/2007

CTLG Stats: 19.0 disposals, 2.8 marks, 3.0 tackles, 3.8 clearances, 4.0 inside 50s, 1.0 rebound 50s

Really enhanced her draft chances through the Coates Talent League Girls with a big carnival, averaging 18 disposals starting on a wing then moving inside once injuries struck. Her athletic traits standout, and once she has the ball can explode forward and set up her teammates inside 50. A natural distributor who other clubs will be taking a close look at given the amount of talent at the Suns. Her form suggested potential top 30, and it will be interesting to see how she goes against the best in the country.

Lilly-Ann Ryder (Southport/Suns Academy)
Defender | 174cm | 24/04/2007

CTLG Stats: 13.0 disposals, 3.5 marks, 4.3 tackles, 4.5 rebound 50s

Yet another Southport talent, and Ryder will play a defensive role as that hybrid tall who can match up on a variety of opponents. She is strong in the air, rebounds the ball consistently, and is accountable with her play. She lays plenty of tackles and adds to a really strong back six that will make life difficult for the opposition. One of a number of top-agers hoping to stake a claim with a big carnival.

Aleah Stringer (Bond University/Suns Academy)
Forward/Midfielder | 165cm | 30/01/2007

CTLG Stats: 13.0 disposals, 2.3 marks, 5.0 tackles, 2.3 clearances, 2.5 inside 50s, 1.0 rebound 50s

Like Nurse, Stringer got her chance to standup in the absence of other key teammates and there’s no doubt the top-ager has the talent to further improve. She is a strong high half-forward who can also roll through the midfield. Can be a key distributor going inside 50 and set up many scoring attacks off the back of her run and ability to get the ball inside 50 well.

BOTTOM-AGE TALENTS

Queensland’s talent extends through the years with plenty of bottom-age talents already standing out. The bulk of those are at the Lions Academy with Harlee McIlwain a fantastic key forward option inside 50, while midfield pairing Molly Ferguson and Mia Geere are also top-end talents for 2026. Out the outside, Suns Academy prospect Summer Browning looms as a name to remember for next year, while Stella Scott is a prominent ball-winner.

Among the others who earned places in the side, Lions Academy tall defender Jade Brazier and athletic forward Aiyana Pritchard both impressed up respective ends, while Zoe Petrides is a crafty small forward. Sherwood’s Ella Gibson and Broadbeach’s Stephanie Aguinaldo are the other bottom-agers, while Under 16s All-Australians Ameleia Murray and Edie Fraser are fantastic future stars with high footy IQ up the defensive and attacking ends respectively.

FIXTURES

Round 1: vs. Western Australia | Sun June 22 @ RSEA Park
Round 2: vs. Vic Country | Sat June 28 @ Brighton Homes Arena
Round 3: vs. Allies | Sun Aug 3 @ Brighton Homes Arena
Round 4: vs. South Australia @ TBC (South Australia)