Rising Sun wins AFLW U16s BnF as AA team is announced

GOLD Coast Suns Academy star Lily Moana was rewarded with a remarkable AFLW Under 16 Championships by taking out the overall carnival best and fairest. She was front and centre in the Suns Academy’s two massive wins over Tasmania and Vic Country, averaging around 24 disposals, nine inside 50s and six clearances.

The Suns ball-winner also won her side’s MVP, and in the overall count finished three votes clear of West Australian MVP Bella Nelson who was named captain of the All-Australian team. GWS Giants Academy tall Evana Butler and South Australian ball magnet Izabella Nisbet also polled highly in the vote count.

The four above won their respective MVPs, with Lions Academy jet Kya Wills-Rawlings, Swans Academy tall Quin Neyland, Vic Country’s Harper Delamare, Vic Metro’s Kiera Moloney, Northern Territory’s Peggy Rock and Tasmania’s Aliera Denholm the other.

The 10 teams played just two games each with Gold Coast Suns Academy, South Australia and GWS Giants Academy all finishing undefeated during the fortnight. Vic Metro, Western Australia, Brisbane Lions Academy and Sydney Swans Academy also picked up wins, leaving just Northern Territory, Tasmania and Vic Country without a victory.

Gold Coast Suns Academy dominated the All-Australian team with five representatives, two more than South Australia, Vic Metro and Western Australia. Giants Academy were among four sides to have a pair of players with Lions Academy, Swans Academy and Vic Country. Northern Territory (one) was the other team to feature with Tasmania being the only side not to have a player in the side.

Bella Nelson was named captain of the All-Australian team. Image credit: Rookie Me Central

TEAM MVPs

Selected by each program’s coaching staff

Brisbane Academy: Kya Wills-Rawlings
Gold Coast Academy: Lily Moana
GWS Academy: Evana Butler
Northern Territory: Peggy Rock
South Australia: Izabella Nisbet
Sydney Academy: Quin Neyland
Tasmania: Aliera Denholm
Vic Country: Harper Delamare
Vic Metro: Kiera Moroney
Western Australia: Arybella Nelson

2026 AFLW U16s ALL-AUSTRALIAN TEAM:

B: Georgia Naughton (Vic Metro) – Quin Neyland (Swans Academy) – Camryn Rabie (Vic Metro)
HB: Kya Wills-Rawlings (Lions Academy) – Arybella Nelson (Western Australia) (c) – Tigerlily Nixon (Suns Academy)
C: Lily Davidson (Swans Academy) – Izabella Nisbet (South Australia) – Taylah Mizzi (Vic Country)
HF: Lily Martin (Giants Academy) – Deena Gerges (Vic Metro) – Layne Harvey (Vic Country)
F: Libby Robinson (Lions Academy) – Scarlett Blethyn (South Australia) – Ally McKenzie (Suns Academy)
R: Evana Butler (Giants Academy) – Mia Wood (South Australia) – Lily Moana (Suns Academy)
INT: Beatrice Crane (Western Australia) – Eliza Davenport (Suns Academy) – Keira Fawcett (Western Australia) – Pippa O’Grady (Suns Academy) – Peggy Rock (Northern Territory)

Coach: Kate Orme (Western Australia)

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