GIPPSLAND Power’s talent continues to grow with the girls program having its best season on record last year and earning a finals spot. Headlined by a couple of star top-agers, the Power have some nice draft prospects again in 2026 and will look to continue their upward trajectory.

LAST SEASON

Played: 14
Wins: 9
Losses: 5

Gippsland Power had a really strong season and earned the second seed for the country finals, and though they ultimately went down to Murray in that first knockout match, showed enormous development throughout the year with plenty of youngsters coming through the program.

FIXTURE

Round 2: vs. Bendigo Pioneers | April 12 @ Queen Elizabeth Oval
Round 3: vs. Dandenong Stingrays | April 19 @ Morwell Recreation Reserve
Round 4: vs. GWV Rebels | April 25 @ Shepley Oval
Round 5: vs. Eastern Ranges | May 2 @ Morwell Recreation Reserve
Round 6: vs. Brisbane Lions Academy | May 10 @ La Trobe University
Round 7: vs. Gold Coast Suns Academy | May 17 @ La Trobe University
Round 9: vs. Tasmania Devils | May 31 @ Shepley Oval
Round 10: vs. Northern Territory | June 6 @ TIO Stadium
Round 12: vs. Bendigo Pioneers | June 21 @ La Trobe University
Round 13: vs. Geelong Falcons | June 28 @ Shepley Oval
Round 15: vs. GWV Rebels | July 12 @ La Trobe University
Round 18: vs. Sandringham Dragons | August 1 @ Morwell Recreation Reserve
Round 20: vs. Oakleigh Chargers | August 15 @ Morwell Recreation Reserve
Round 21: vs. Northern Knights | August 23 @ Morwell Recreation Reserve

The Power only play two games at Morwell across the first four months of the season, before finishing the year at the venue with a trio of home fixtures. They have made La Trobe University and Shepley Oval their home away from home, and between those three venues, play 12 of the 14 games between them. The two outliers are Round 2 at Bendigo, and then a Top End trip to face the Northern Territory.

TOP-AGE PLAYERS TO WATCH

Riding shotgun as midfielder/forward talents, Grace Dillow and Lily Milner are two players to keep an eye on in 2026. Dillow represented Vic Country as a bottom-ager in the Under 18s, while both donned the ‘Big V’ at Under 16s level. They know how to find the ball and have a lot of impact, with Dillow’s extraction from the stoppage and ability to use her body to win the ball in contested situations and her clean hands.

Milner on the other hand is a little lighter, but her kicking skills and ability to spread around the ground make her a valuable asset to the team. She can play in just about any role, but has commonly been in that mid/forward rotation for the Power.

Outside of the top two, a couple of other names who should be noted down include powerful forward-midfielder Ava Deszcz and the hard-running Mia Smith-Clark. The duo booted 17 goals between them last season and loom as key players for the Power once again. Summer Harbour also ran out for the Power on 13 occasions in 2025 and will be looking to build on that, with Stella Kittelty having some noted draft qualities.

After testing well alongside Kittelty in the preseason, Amy Boote is a name to keep safe, with an equal second placed finish in the yo-yo test and solid sprint numbers too.

FUTURE NAMES TO REMEMBER

Gippsland has such a strong team last season there were only a handful of double bottom-agers to feature, including the versatile Brooke Kelly who with some refinement, can do a lot of damage off her left foot. Jessica Grimsted had a huge Under 16s carnival for Vic Country and has some serious potential, while Mia O’Brien also trialled for the Country side last season.

SUMMARY

Gippsland Power has a couple of top-age stars with a number of players capable of making the next jump in 2026. They have a mix of strength and speed which will help the Power produce some eye-catching performances this season.