THE Sydney Swans Academy entered the 2026 Coates Talent League Girls season with a talented squad featuring a mix of top-age draft prospects, over-age experience, and exciting bottom-age talent. With an extended fixture, the Swans Academy showcased their depth and development throughout the season, producing some dominant performances and unearthing hidden gems.

2026 Season Recap

The Swans Academy faced a challenging fixture in 2026, competing against fellow Northern Academies and a mix of full-time Victorian teams, and were without both Grace Tracey and Heidi de Saxe – key players – for the entirety of the carnival. Their season was characterised by mostly dominant victories other than a rare defeat to the Brisbane Lions Academy in Round 3.

Standout Draft-Eligible Players (2026 AFLW Draft)

With over-age talent Amaia Wain already off to the Western Bulldogs via the Preseason Draft , we look at some of the other top-age and over-age prospects who have strengthened their cases for the 2026 AFLW Draft.

Charlotte Tidemann
Defender/Wing 169cm | 08/08/2008

A National Academy member, Tidemann has been a polished and damaging half-back for the Swans who has also spent time on a wing and even on-ball. Her athleticism is her defining asset, winning the NSW/ACT agility test at preseason testing. She consistently provided run and carry out of defence, using her penetrating and well-weighted kick to set up scoring chains . Against the Lions Academy, she racked up six rebound 50s, showing her reliability under pressure. Tidemann is undoubtedly one of the competition’s leading prospects with her skill and run and carry the highlights.

Evie Bowie
Midfielder/Forward | 170cm | 31/12/2008

Bowie has enjoyed a really strong start to the 2026 season, proving to be a brilliant contributor in transition who brings the heat in close and attacks hard. She consistently found the ball, topping the Swans’ disposal count with 25 touches against both the Suns Academy and Oakleigh Chargers . Her ability to dart out of stoppages with pace and distribute quickly makes her a genuine two-way midfielder with a terrific athletic base.

Aurelia Russell
Midfielder/Forward | 160cm | 03/12/2008

Russell is one of the most intriguing and undervalued prospects in the 2026 AFLW Draft class. An elite runner with outstanding endurance, she finished second in the Yo-Yo Test at the NSW-ACT Preseason Testing. On the field, her movement in traffic is as clean as anyone in the competition, and her natural footy smarts allow her to maximise her work in congestion . She was best afield against Eastern Ranges with 27 disposals, seven clearances, and a goal, proving she is a classy midfielder who should be seriously considered in the first round.

Frances Walsh
Wing/Midfielder | 173cm | 30/01/2008

The Swans Academy skipper has been a consistent performer on the wing. She holds her width and covers ground exceptionally well, bringing others into the game with quick handballs and well-weighted kicks . Against Oakleigh, she collected 25 disposals and six marks, showcasing her sidestep and ability to link in transition. Her defensive pressure and high-level competitiveness make her a damaging player when given time and space.

Grace Parsons
Ruck/Forward | 180cm | 10/12/2007

An over-age prospect, Parsons has shown great mobility and smarts as a tall forward and pinch-hitting ruck. She slotted three goals against the Suns Academy in Round 2 and seamlessly took over the number one ruck mantle after Wain was drafted, competing well at stoppages and getting involved in attacking transitions . Her versatility and effective field kicking make her a player to consider for the draft.

Ashleigh Barlow
Tall Defender | 174cm | 06/06/2008

One of the most underrated players in this draft crop, Barlow has emerged as a player who knows that balance between defensive and offensive attributes when playing in a key role. At 174cm she can match up on the talls while also being athletic enough to take on the smalls, and her intercept marking has been a consistent feature throughout the season. Against Oakleigh, she led all players with 27 disposals and a game-high seven rebound 50s, driving the Swans’ transition throughout. Her vision and ability to hit those low, penetrating kicks – rather than just blasting away – is a genuine point of difference.

Others to Keep in Mind

You could throw a blanket over the Swans Academy talent with tall forwards Jordan Davis and Ava Horneman also having impressive carnivals, as did tenacious midfielder, Emma Haley. Over-ager Lila Micheletti is another one who could be an immediate replacement for sides, able to run up and down the wing or play forward, while there were another handful or prospects who contributed strongly.

Future Stars to Watch

The Swans Academy’s success was also built on the contributions of several exciting bottom-age players who will be key figures in 2027 and beyond.

Emma McCallum
Defender | 173cm | 13/03/2009

McCallum is an aggressive, physical, and committed defender who covers enormous ground across half-back and half-forward. Against Oakleigh, she laid a game-high eight tackles and pushed forward to kick a goal from long-range . Her smart positioning and confident aerial intent make her a really promising bottom-ager to note down for next year.

Lolita Savala
Key Forward | 182cm | 21/04/2009

Savala delivered an old-school full-forward’s performance in Round 7 against the Geelong Falcons, booting an incredible eight goals from 11 disposals . Her height, reach, overhead marking ability, and set-shot goalkicking are her major strengths. Making the most of her opportunities, she is a serious aerial threat for the future.

Genevieve Hynes
Midfielder | 166cm | 31/12/2009

Only a day off being a double bottom-ager, Hynes continues to grow in her midfield role. She covers the ground exceptionally well, bobs up to feed the ball out to teammates, and plays a key role around the contest. Links up well and can be a first, second or third possession winner who will only get better over the next 18 months. She looks set to take the reins of the Swans’ midfield in 2027.

Conclusion

The Sydney Swans Academy’s 2026 Talent League Girls campaign highlighted a formidable squad with elite top-end talent and impressive depth. With players like Tidemann, Bowie, and the emerging Russell leading the draft-eligible crop, and the exciting potential of bottom-agers like McCallum and Savala, the Swans’ pathway program continues to produce high-quality prospects for the AFLW. It looms as the Swans’ best ever year for draft prospects with more than half a dozen in the mix.