NEXT year’s 2026 AFL Women’s Academy has been announced with 25 promising bottom-age players included amongst the group. Seven of the eight states or territories are represented with eight Victorians leading the way.

After Victoria, the growing talent in NSW/ACT was rewarded with five players, while South Australia and Queensland (four), Western Australia (three) and Tasmania (two) round out the national representation. The AFLW Academy is designed to provide high-performance opportunities including a first-ever trip overseas where the players will take part in a camp at New Zealand’s campus of Innovation and Sport from December 17-21.

The program will include two further camps in Melbourne over Anzac Day weekend and in early June where the players will gather for education and training sessions before competing in a showcase match. Vic Metro full-forward Bailee Martin headlines the draft crop, with the bottom-age All-Australian alongside Cara Dziegielewski (Western Australia), Majella Day (New South Wales) and Emma Charlton (South Australia), the latter of whom who is the sister of Crow Teah, and also won the Croweaters’ MVP.

One of the two MVPs from the National Under 17 Futures match in tall defender Grace Tracey was named in the squad, however the other – Lucy Moore – was a surprise omission from the squad. The team includes four Giants Academy members, two Swans, three Lions and one Sun, while Dandenong Stingrays, Eastern Ranges, South Adelaide, Tasmania Devils and West Perth each have two representatives.

2026 AFL WOMEN’S ACADEMY GIRLS CAMP DATES

December 17-21: High-performance camp at New Zealand Campus of Innovation and Sport
April 24-26: Camp in Melbourne + match
June 5-7: Camp in Melbourne + match

2026 AFL WOMEN’S ACADEMY GIRLS SQUAD