AFTER developing last year’s number two selection in Scarlett Johnson, the Northern Knights head into 2026 Talent League Girls competition with some exciting athletes and young prospects who will look to build for the future.

LAST SEASON

Played: 14
Wins: 5
Losses: 9

Northern recorded the five wins from 14 games in the season, but still managed to secure a spot in the finals. The Knights started the season 4-1 and looked likely to go on to play finals, but only won one of their last 10 games leading into the post-season before being no match for eventual premiers Eastern Ranges in the Talent League Girls finals series.

FIXTURE

Round 2: vs. Western Jets | April 11 @ Preston City Oval
Round 3: vs. Eastern Ranges | April 18 @ Preston City Oval
Round 4: vs. Sandringham Dragons | April 25 @ Preston City Oval
Round 5: vs. GWV Rebels | May 3 @ Mars Stadium
Round 6: vs. Gold Coast Suns Academy | May 10 @ People First Stadium
Round 7: vs. Bendigo Pioneers | May 21 @ Queen Elizabeth Oval
Round 10: vs. Sandringham Dragons | June 7 @ Trevor Barker Oval
Round 11: vs. Calder Cannons | June 13 @ Preston City Oval
Round 13: vs. Western Jets | June 28 @ Preston City Oval
Round 15: vs. Oakleigh Chargers | July 11 @ Preston City Oval
Round 17: vs. Murray Bushrangers | July 25 @ Kings Park (Seymour)
Round 18: vs. Dandenong Stingrays | August 2 @ Shepley Oval
Round 20: vs. Eastern Ranges | August 15 @ Preston City Oval
Round 21: vs. Gippsland Power | August 23 @ Morwell Recreation Reserve

Northern has seven home games at Preston City Oval throughout the season including the Knights’ first three against fellow metropolitan sides. They travel to most other country regions and once to the Gold Coast as well which will make it an intriguing year for the club.

TOP-AGE PLAYERS TO WATCH

Northern Knights’ top-age draft contingent is highlighted by the explosive Maddison Meagher. The talented wing/defender has the need for speed and once she gets goalside, is impossible to stop. Meagher will rack up metres gained with ease, and provide that outside run that every club loves to watch.

Alongside Meagher, Alli Allen is another top-ager to keep an eye on, having also made the Vic Metro summer hub. Allen has a crack and averaged almost eight tackles per match last season for the Knights, capable of playing on the inside or up forward with a high pressure level rating.

Outside of those two, Somer McCormack showed promising signs through the middle and also able to go forward and hit the scoreboard. She is co vice-captain with Meagher for the Knights this season, while fellow top-ager Lola Stone will lead the club in 2026.

FUTURE NAMES TO REMEMBER

After impressing for Vic Metro Under 16s, Kiah McKinnon-Rowe is a player to keep an eye on as a crafty small forward. The other two representatives for the ‘Big V’ were Lila Kooloos and Allegra Paoli, with the pair playing three and six games respectively.

Over the years the Knights have been one of the best developing programs with multiple number one draft picks. Expect the Preston-based club to have plenty of improvers across the next two seasons to develop for the future.

SUMMARY

Northern Knights have an even team on paper, and while they might not have the top-end star that they had last year, have a number of exciting players who are too hard to ignore. Meagher will provide heaps of highlights and with the speed the Knights have, can play some fast footy.