SHOWCASING what they are made of, the class of 2026 proved far too good for Carlton VFLW at Ikon Park on Sunday, with the National AFLW Academy running away with the 14.18 (102) to 8.8 (56) win. Each of the players made at least a solid contribution and we took note of how they all performed across the board.

All notes are the opinion of the individual author.

AFLW ACADEMY: EVERY PLAYER

#3 Harlee McIlwain (Morningside/Lions Academy/Queensland)
Tall Forward | 176cm | 07/04/2008

Stats: 8 disposals, 4 marks, 1 tackle, 2 inside 50s, 3 goals, 2 behinds

Three goals from eight touches tells the McIlwain story – she reads the flight of the ball superbly and gets herself into the right position. A fine snap in the second term, a composed 35-metre set shot and a late 40-metre strike in the fourth all showed different dimensions of her goalkicking range. Four marks from limited touches is a strong aerial return for a forward who doesn’t need much to make an impact, and is a lovely user when the big sticks are within range.

#4 Darcie Prosser-Shaw (East Coast Eagles/Giants Academy/NSW-ACT)
Utility | 171cm | 02/06/2008

Stats: 16 disposals, 2 marks, 4 tackles, 3 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 1 goal

Prosser-Shaw was the standout utility of the day. A calm finish through traffic from 20 metres in the first term set the tone, and she always goes in fierce around the ground. Her sharp peripheral awareness – quick feeds to Curry and Strachan in the middle, a well-timed charge down the wing – made her one of the most impactful players across multiple positions. In the end she showed off her versatility playing forward, on-ball and the wing.

#5 Charlotte Tidemann (North Shore Bombers/Swans Academy/NSW-ACT)
Defender/Wing | 169cm | 08/08/2008

Stats: 14 disposals, 3 marks, 1 tackle, 1 inside 50, 2 rebound 50s

The third quarter was where Tidemann shone, combining great pressure inside defensive 50, a memorable intercept mark, brilliant run-down tackle and multiple one-twos coming out of the back half all came in the one term. She was quieter in the first half, with a spilled ball setting up a Carlton long-range goal the main blemish, but the third quarter showed exactly what she brings and she grew in confidence and aggressive running as the game went on.

#6 Mia Geere (Wilston Grange/Lions Academy/Queensland)
Utility | 170cm | 08/04/2008

Stats: 12 disposals, 3 marks, 2 tackles, 4 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 1 goal

Geere is an aggressive and powerful ball user, always looking to drive it forward out of the stoppage or when on the outside. She played across just about every line, and after a set shot fell short much to her frustration, she nailed a snap a minute later. A clever switch kick off half-back to Walsh, the close-range snap in the final term off a Semple feed, and her burst speed through traffic were the highlights of a busy afternoon across multiple roles.

#8 Evie Ward (Lauderdale/Tasmania Devils)
Forward | 172cm | 29/10/2008

Stats: 14 disposals, 3 marks, 2 tackles, 1 inside 50, 1 goal, 2 behinds

Ward’s best moment was a lovely finish on the run from 25 metres in the fourth quarter – a clean, athletic goal that reflected her forward craft. She was busy when the game allowed her to operate, with a useful mark in the middle and a long kick inside 50 showing her willingness to work away from the pocket. Two behinds that were genuine scoring opportunities meant she could have had an even bigger afternoon.

#10 Evie Bingham (North Hobart/Tasmania Devils)
Midfielder/Forward | 171cm | 16/06/2008

Stats: 10 disposals, 1 tackle, 1 clearance, 3 inside 50s

Bingham rotated through the middle and forward half and had some nice moments mixed with a few errors. Three inside 50s reflected the attacking intent she brought when the ball came her way, and her quick hands in tight were a positive. A holding-the-ball call at half-forward and a late snap with the outside of the boot that went wide were the moments that didn’t come off, but she was another who showed her versatility and upside, particularly when able to stream down the ground.

#11 Emily Mableson (West Adelaide/South Australia)
Defender | 170cm | 05/05/2008

Stats: 11 disposals, 6 tackles, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50, 3 rebound 50s

Mableson mixed in her smooth movement wiht defensive pressure, and while she uncharacteristically turned a few disposals over early, worked into the game perfectly. She was tasked with the kickouts, and applied relentless physical pressure throughout the four quarters. Her non-preferred left kick down the wing under tackle in the second term showed her skill under duress. A player who competes at every single contest and only didn’t get a shot on-ball given the depth of the squad.

#12 Frances Walsh
Wing | 173cm | 30/01/2008

Stats: 12 disposals, 2 marks, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50

Walsh was a consistent outside runner who kept things moving without drawing attention to herself. Her best contribution was setting up a Geere goal via hand in the final term. She was tidy when given time and ran hard for four quarters, though a couple of loose moments in the first term showed the execution can be tightened under pressure. In any open space she can inflict maximum damage and holds her width so well on that wing.

#14 Miyu Endersby (Central District/South Australia)
Defender | 179cm | 01/06/2008

Stats: 6 disposals, 2 marks, 3 tackles, 5 rebound 50s

Five rebound 50s from six disposals tells you exactly what Endersby’s role was and how well she executed it. Her opening intercept mark thumped long to the wing set the tone, and she was reliable in the defensive chains all afternoon. Quiet by disposal numbers but consistently first to the ball and launching the play forward. Did not have a heap to do given the relative dominance of the Academy.

#15 Aiyana Pritchard (University of Queensland/Lions Academy/Queensland)
Forward/Wing | 175cm | 21/12/2008

Stats: 14 disposals, 1 mark, 3 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 1 goal

Pritchard’s athleticism was on full display as the talented tall forward also got a crack on the wing. Her upside is enormous and she had a few early chances that just fell short but then nailed a hard-running effort off a handball receive into goal. Her run-down tackle inside 50 in the same quarter set up a Day goal, and she was a dynamic link player through the second half when moved to the wing. A multi-dimensional performer who brings both the athletic and football qualities at all times.

#16 Morgan Stevens (Tuggeranong Valley/Giants Academy/NSW-ACT)
Defender | 177cm | 13/08/2008

Stats: 9 disposals, 2 marks, 1 inside 50, 3 rebound 50s

A composed contribution in a quieter role. Stevens did her best work in the first half – a clean long kick to half-back in the first term and a sharp charge off half-back in the second that found Walsh by hand quickly. Three rebound 50s from nine disposals reflects a player involved in the important defensive chains without collecting in big numbers. Her mark in the third term and delivery to Curry was her cleanest offensive contribution. A lovely long kick and ever composed.

#17 Bailee Martin (Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro)
Forward/Defender | 176cm | 03/09/2008

Stats: 19 disposals, 4 marks, 1 tackle, 2 inside 50s, 2 goals, 3 behinds

The highest disposal winner on the Academy team despite being moved to defence at half-time – an extraordinary display of footballing versatility. Both first-term goals showed her usual class: an outside-of-the-boot finish from 15 metres, followed by a composed 45-metre set shot on a 45-degree angle. She then set up Pritchard for a goal with a quick handball to start the second term before moving to full-back after the main break where she read the play cleverly and intercepted effectively. Accuracy in front of goal again left a few majors out there for her with three behinds, but her insatiable desire to win the ball follows wherever she goes.

#19 Greea McKeegan (Geelong Falcons/Vic Country)
Wing/Forward | 176cm | 15/12/2008

Stats: 10 disposals, 4 marks, 1 tackle, 4 inside 50s, 1 behind

McKeegan is a natural aerialist with a nice kick that while she can make some errors looking for those high-risk, high-reward deliveries, can really send the ball a long way with great technique. Her best individual moment showcased just that when she intercepted the ball, reset and found Martin on the lead with a precise kick in the first term. A late shot on goal that went just wide summed up a day where the intent was always right if the execution was occasionally just off.

#20 Brylee Anderson (Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro)
Utility | 172cm | 25/03/2008

Stats: 14 disposals, 3 marks, 2 tackles, 2 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 1 behind

Anderson’s influence was woven through the game rather than concentrated in moments – always busy, always finding the right option. She was lively in the middle from early in the first term, her clearance leading directly to the Prosser-Shaw goal, and her four inside 50s from 14 disposals reflected consistent forward intent. The set shot behind in the final term was the one moment she would normally nail, but considering she played across all three lines, it was a big day out for the versatile talent and she ticked most boxes in another huge performance.

#21 Cara Dziegielewski (West Perth/Western Australia)
Forward/Ruck | 182cm | 19/04/2008

Stats: 14 disposals, 1 mark, 6 tackles, 9 hitouts, 2 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 1 goal, 1 behind

Dziegielewski found herself starting forward with White in the centre, before rotating into the middle and starting at the first ball-up of the second term. She never stops competing at any contest she attends and ber ruck work in the third quarter in particular was dominant. A composed close-range snap for a goal in the same term was a nice reward for her constant follow-up work. The one missed chance where she rushed a shot rather than running into the goalsquare was the main blemish on what was a tireless, all-action performance.

#22 Scout Semple
Forward/Midfielder | 162cm | 03/10/2008

Stats: 17 disposals, 4 marks, 3 tackles, 4 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 2 behinds

Named MVP and the final quarter justified it. Semple won a centre clearance, fended off and handballed clear before winning a follow-up free; found McIlwain on the lead twice with pinpoint kicks; and buried a huge tackle on the wing – all in the last term alone. Her smarts close to goal, clean hands under pressure and clearance ability are all genuine traits, and the two behinds from genuine chances were the only reminder that the accuracy can still be sharpened. A complete individual performance.

#23 Majella Day (Murray Bushrangers/Giants Academy/NSW-ACT)
Tall Forward | 175cm | 11/03/2008

Stats: 8 disposals, 4 marks, 3 tackles, 3 hitouts, 1 inside 50, 3 goals

Day’s forward nous was elite. Three goals from eight touches is the summary, but the manner of them told the fuller story – a creative snap off hands in the first term, then two marks on the goalline from set shots that fell short showed how active she was when a lot of the opposition had gone to sleep. While not explosive, Day is ever so agile, and really difficult to beat in the air or whenever within range and has ball in hand.

#24 Kiara Boyd (Western Jets/Vic Metro)
Defender | 173cm | 02/06/2008

Stats: 6 disposals, 4 marks, 2 tackles, 1 inside 50, 1 rebound 50

While the Western Jets talent could have played anywhere, Boyd was deployed in defence where she took a number of nice intercept marks. Known for her aerial work and kicking, she was competitive despite not needing to do too much with the ball largely up the other end. Her best aerial contest came in the third quarter – a strong-reach contested mark delivered cleanly from defence. A thumping long kick forward late in the game showed the offensive dimension she can bring from the back half when the opportunity arises.

#25 Molly Ferguson
Defender/Midfielder | 165cm | 20/04/2008

Stats: 18 disposals, 2 marks, 2 tackles, 3 clearances, 1 inside 50, 1 rebound 50, 1 behind

Named among the Academy’s best just reminding people why she should have been included in the first place.. Ferguson never seemed to have a loose possession. Her 18 disposals came with a purpose and directness that was evident from her opening quick one-two out of defence to her final kick inside 50 on the run in the fourth quarter. An intercept mark and clean short pass in the third, composed hands-off at half-back in the second, and three clearances reflect a player whose reliability under pressure is one of their most valuable qualities.

#29 Sophie White (Dandenong Stingrays/Vic Country)
Ruck/Forward | 181cm | 18/03/2008

Stats: 9 disposals, 1 mark, 25 hitouts, 2 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 1 goal

White was dominant at the contest all day, delivering 25 hitouts with clean delivery that gave her midfielders first use. Her forward instinct showed up early when she finished an outside-of-the-boot goal from just outside the goalsquare — the kind of creative finish that shows her game extends well beyond the ruck. An intercept mark at half-forward in the fourth quarter and the kick inside 50 that followed was a nice final flourish.

#30 Lexi Strachan (West Perth/Western Australia)
Midfielder/Forward | 169cm | 30/09/2008

Stats: 17 disposals, 2 marks, 3 clearances, 4 inside 50s

Strachan kept the ball moving forward with purpose all afternoon. Her intercept mark at half-forward in the first term, converted with a well-weighted inboard kick to Semple on the 45, was the highlight of a first half of clean, driving midfield work. She is another powerful player who has a lot of offensive impact and she does something meaningful with the ball most times. Just kept popping up all game.

#31 Mia Carlshausen (Perth/Western Australia)
Defender | 169cm | 10/04/2008

Stats: 11 disposals, 4 marks, 1 tackle, 1 inside 50, 2 rebound 50s

Carlshausen was at her best in the third quarter when she played very high for a half-back and produced a sequence of quality acts in quick succession — an intercept mark pushed forward before kicking inside 50, a handball off the wing, an immediate feed back to Tidemann from the kickout, and a low bullet pass to Prosser-Shaw that was the best ball of the term. A player whose skills and football IQ consistently elevate the team when she’s on the move.

#33 Zoe Curry
Utility | 172cm | 09/10/2008

Stats: 15 disposals, 3 tackles, 1 hitout, 6 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 1 behind

Showcasing her cannon of a right boot, Curry had some brilliant moments out of stoppages and down the ground, clearing defensive zones and putting the ball into dangerous areas. Her second quarter was exceptional, winning a host of clearances and finding Martin with a perfect 50-metre pass before delivering inside 50 to Day. The power and intent she brings out of stoppages is difficult to contain, and a couple of holding-the-ball calls against her were simply the result of opponents working overtime to stop her.