SIX SIDES will battle it out for representative glory in the 2025 AFL Women’s Under 18 Championships which kicks off this Sunday in Victoria. As part of a triple-header across two grounds in Melbourne’s south east suburbs, AFLW clubs and fans will get the opportunity to see the talent from around the country. We give you the most comprehensive guide into what to expect from the national championships.

LAST YEAR

Vic Metro took out the title with a sensational win over South Australia to win their title since pre-Covid. The Croweaters had dominated the past two years, going unbeaten and winning back-to-back titles and will be looking to make it three from four in 2025. The Allies upset another contender in Queensland, while Western Australia was the only side that did not register a win in 2024, but looms as a serious player this year with its strongest draft crop on record.

2025 FIXTURES

HOW TO WATCH

All matches in the 2025 Marsh AFL National Championships – U18 Girls will be live streamed on AFL.com.au and the AFL Live Official App.

SQUADS

>> 2025 Full lists: EVERY TEAM

>> PROFILED: Allies

>> PROFILED: Queensland

>> PROFILED: South Australia

>> PROFILED: Vic Country

>> PROFILED: Vic Metro

>> PROFILED: Western Australia

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Allies:

It is hard to look past the Tasmanian duo of Priya Bowering and Mischa Barwin who have experience at the level, though athletic ruck Madeleine Quinn and fellow NSW/ACT prospect Isla Wiencke are set for big carnivals, the latter being the reigning MVP. From a draft bolter perspective, keep your eyes on twin tall forwards Alex Neyland and Grace Parsons. Northern Territory’s Marika Carlton is an exciting prospect on the outside.

Queensland:

The Gold Coast Suns Academy have a stack of top-age draft prospects this year, with three of the top five being Ava Usher, Dekota Baron and Georja Davies. The first two come in under injury clouds, but the trio are not the only ones to keep an eye on. Dangerous forward Alannah Welsh is exciting inside 50, while Monique Corrigan is the Lions’ top prospect and will mostly rotate through the ruck. Annabelle Foat and Carlton/St Kilda father-daughter eligible Sunny Lappin are a couple of other names.

South Australia:

Possibly the deepest crop of talent especially at bottom-age level, South Australia’s top-age group includes Sophie Eaton and Monique Bessen who are both slick users and smart with ball in hand. They can play a range of positions, while Lily Baxter has a great sense in the forward half or on a wing, and Imogen Trengove is as versatile as they come. Draft bolter Lucy Waye can further enhance her claims with a big carnival, while athletic tall Charli Hazelhurst and goalscoring machine Eloise Mackereth will provide no shortage of highlights.

Vic Country:

Dandenong Stingrays twins Mizuki and Nalu Brothwell play at opposite ends, but are just as impressive in the air and around the ground. They continue to get better with every experience and will provide run and carry alongside Gippsland defender Ella Stoddart who is the other National Academy member with the Mizuki. Maggie Johnstone started the year on fire and her GWV Rebels teammate Jovie Skewes-Clinton has enormous upside. Stella Huxtable played in the side last year, while Bendigo Pioneers utility Ava Bibby poses a giant threat to opposition teams.

Vic Metro:

Metro has no shortage of National Academy members either with Oakleigh Chargers tall midfielder Chloe Bown leading the way through the middle. She has the likes of Chloe Baker-West and Tayla McMillan which is tough to beat as a starting on-ball group, while Jordyn Allen will add crucial run on the outside. Josephine Bamford has had a big year for the Ranges, as has Northern Knights’ Scarlett Johnson, while bottom-ager Bailee Martin looms as a key contender for the leading goalkicker if she plays all the games.

Western Australia:

Boasting its deepest squad thus far, the Sandgropers have a whopping six National Academy members at their disposal. Defensive talls Evie Cowcher and Olivia Crane up one end, and attacking options Olivia Wolmarans, Alicia Blizard and Alira Fotu up the other. Explosive inside midfielder Mia Russo – who won this draft crops’ Under 16s MVP two years ago – is the other, while Swan Districts onballer Carys D’Addario is in sensational form through the WAFLW.

PREDICTION

Genuinely a tough call to make with Queensland and Western Australia having absolute elite top-age talent. South Australia has the best bottom-age depth, while you can never count out Vic Metro given its balance between top-age and bottom-age players. The Croweaters won this equivalent tournament two years ago and look well placed to go all the way, while Western Australia has the greater availability of the two sides ahead of playing Queensland this weekend so are the second tip.