GWS GIANTS Academy finished the 2026 AFLW Under 16 Championships undefeated after accounting for Tasmania at Blacktown yesterday. The girls from the Apple Isle were hungry for a better performance after being thrashed by Gold Coast Suns Academy on Thursday, at the same venue, and responded with the only two goals of the first term. The Giants steadied – despite some goalkicking inaccuracy to eventually grind out a 12-point victory, 6.16 (52) to 6.4 (40).

It was a promising performance from both sides, with the Devils able to show plenty of fight at either end of the game, never giving up and kicking three goals in the final term. Despite the defeat, the fightback in the fourth stanza was a marked improvement on game one, and the players will head back to their local clubs ready for a big year.

Full credit goes to the Giants who could have won by more given their 22 scoring shots to 10, and winning the inside 50 count 38-28, but a lot were rushed shots, which resulted in three players combining for 12 of the 16 behinds. Indie Champion (2.5) and Jess Smith (2.4) were the multiple goalkickers in the win, while Lily Martin (21 disposals, four tackles, three clearances, two inside 50s and 1.3) was outstanding.

For the Devils, Aliera Denholm ran through the midfield but found the ball all over the field, while the likes of Harper Stewart and Maggie Fielding at respective ends of the field had plenty of impact for the Devils. With the exception of the Giants’ second term – where they kicked 4.2 to 0.2 – the Devils kicked 6.2 to 2.14 in the other three quarters.

GIANTS ACADEMY 0.0 | 4.2 | 5.12 | 6.16 (52)
TASMANIA 2.2 | 2.4 | 3.4 | 6.4 (40)

GOALS:
Giants Academy: I. Champion 2, J. Smith 2, L. Martin, L. Wescombe
Tasmania: P. Sallese 2, A. Denholm, H. Stewart, M. Devine, G. Dean

RMC BEST:
Giants Academy: L. Martin, I. Champion, J. Smith, L. Wescombe, E. Butler
Tasmania: A. Denholm, H. Stewart, M. Fielding, M. Donaghy, P. Sallese

GIANTS ACADEMY:

#8 Lily Martin (Ainslie Tricolours)
Midfielder/Forward | 172cm | 22/01/2011

Stats: 21 disposals, 1 mark, 4 tackles, 3 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 1 goal, 3 behinds

A real standout in the win with her ability to extract the ball from congestion and hit up targets forward of centre our out wide. She looked to be clean at ground level, and the way Martin could kick across her body to pinpoint passes was fantastic. She set up a goal to Champion after a remarkable pass doing just that when under pressure on the boundary. Took a strong mark midway through the last term holding her nerve in front of her opponent.

#15 Lyla Wescombe (Queanbeyan Tigers)
Forward | 166cm | 04/02/2010

Stats: 15 disposals, 1 mark, 4 tackles, 1 hitout, 1 clearance, 5 inside 50s, 1 goal, 1 behind

A player who were next best from making the notes in game one, Wescombe enjoyed a really consistent carnival. She is such an aggressive player with a high competitive nature. Whenever she is beaten – such as at one point in a run down in a tackle – she works over to apply pressure, bumping that same opponent to force a turnover. Throws herself at everything and also moves well in traffic. can be an effective low kick when not under pressure.

#28 Jess Smith (Belconnen)
Forward | 172cm | 14/07/2011

Stats: 15 disposals, 3 marks, 5 tackles, 2 clearances, 2 goals, 4 behinds

The bottom-ager was again busy after a strong game one, having plenty of chances on goal from her 15 touches. Her first major set shot looked like she hooked it too far to the right, but she knew the breeze perfectly and it curled inside the goal post. Her other set shot five minutes later also went straight through the middle, with a poster in the fourth term the most unlucky of the four behinds she kicked.

#30 Indie Champion (Ainslie Tricolours)
Midfielder/Forward | 172cm | 16/06/2011

Stats: 21 disposals, 5 marks, 2 tackles, 3 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 2 goals, 5 behinds

Was a prominent player both in attack and when around the ball, with her bigger frame allowing her to compete well, while also getting plenty of looks on goal with great strength. She was a little erratic with her rushed snaps – though there were a few that did not miss by much – kicking majors in the second and fourth terms after marking inside 50 on both occasions. Looked good at ground level and clean in most situations.

#34 Evana Butler (Pennant Hills)
Tall Utility | 178cm | 12/01/2010

Stats: 20 disposals, 1 mark, 9 tackles, 9 hitouts, 4 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

Once again played a ruck-rover role where she often stood as a tall midfielder, but could also take the ruck contests if required. What Butler does well is apply follow-up ground level pressure, and she found plenty of the ball all across the ground. Her tackling was outstanding for a player of her size, and while her kicking could be refined further, she has a long boot that can breakdown opposition defensive zones.

TASMANIA:

#3 Aliera Denholm (Claremont)
Midfielder | 155cm | 02/04/2011

Stats: 19 disposals, 3 marks, 5 tackles, 4 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 4 rebound 50s, 1 goal

Found plenty of the ball across the ground, starting on-ball in each term and then rolling back as well as going forward when required. Early in the game Denholm was mopping up behind the ball, then late on when the side needed a goal, she stood up with a clean pickup and snap that bounced home. Though only 155cm, Denholm has some eye-catching traits and could develop into that pressure small forward who also impacts on-ball.

#11 Madeline Donaghy (Glenorchy)
Defender | 161cm | 16/06/2009

Stats: 16 disposals, 3 marks, 2 tackles, 1 clearance, 3 rebound 50s

Provided a key outlet from the back half and played her role well winning 16 disposals and having three rebound 50s. She was often the player to transition the ball downfield, and usually did so with effective disposals. Had 10 of her 16 touches in the bookended quarters, to get proactive and really give her side a chance to score.

#14 Maggie Fielding (Penguin)
Defender | 172cm | 03/08/2010

Stats: 16 disposals, 3 marks, 12 rebound 50s

Often one of the deepest defenders, Fielders consistently racked up the rebound 50s by intercepting and driving the ball outside the danger zone, or being the switch player to being the transition from defence to attack. A good size and one of the better top-agers in the game, Fielding played her role effectively thanks to her positioning and game understanding.

#15 Phoebe Sallese (Lauderdale)
Small Forward | 159cm | 07/09/2010

Stats: 10 disposals, 1 mark, 3 tackles, 1 clearance, 3 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 2 goals

While not having as many touches as the others here, Sallese impacted thanks to maximising her chances in front of goal. Her clever bouncing major six minutes into the first quarter gave the Devils the boost they needed after the game one loss, and then she kept them in the game with an equally clever gather and snap eight minutes into the final stanza. Produced a brilliant run-down tackle a couple of minutes later in the forward pocket too and was unlucky not to be reward.

#16 Harper Stewart (Penguin)
Midfielder/Forward | 164cm | 10/02/2011

Stats: 18 disposals, 2 marks, 3 tackles, 2 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 1 goal

One of a number of Tasmanians who really knuckled down late in the game, kicking the final goal with two minutes left on the clock, and having six touches in the last quarter. What was even better was her multiple flips celebration, which really helped end the Devils’ carnival on a high and plenty of positivity. Outside of that moment, she set up a few scoring chances including a major to Macy Devine in the opening 30 seconds of the third term.