THE Brisbane Lions Academy entered the 2026 Coates Talent League Girls season with a formidable squad, blending elite top-age draft prospects with some of the most exciting bottom-age talent in the country. Their campaign was characterised by dominant midfield performances, high-scoring victories, and a relentless work rate across the ground.

2026 Season Recap

The Lions Academy took one some of the best teams going around and beat them, and had they had the opportunity to play a full season, would be deserving premiership favourites.

Standout Draft-Eligible Players (2026 AFLW Draft)

The Lions Academy boasts its best top-age draft crop yet, with stars across the park and players who will not only come into consideration from Brisbane, but from across the country.

Molly Ferguson
Midfielder | 161cm | 20/04/2008

Ferguson entered 2026 as arguably the most unlucky player to miss the National Academy, but she used that as motivation to produce a dominant top-age campaign. A slick inside midfielder who is a plug-and-play stoppage expert, she consistently extracted the ball out of stoppages and got it moving in transition . Her standout performances included a 31-disposal, eight-tackle game against Sandringham, and an incredible 40-disposal, 10-tackle masterclass against Gippsland Power. Her defensive pressure and clean hands make her an out-and-out star.

Mia Geere
Midfielder | 171cm | 08/04/2008

Looking to cement her spot as one of the more rock-solid midfielders in this year’s draft crop, Geere found her fair share of the ball throughout the season. She covers the ground well, finding the ball in each third of the field, and uses her long kick to advantage. Against Gippsland Power, she had a massive second term, extracting the ball consistently with quick one-twos in traffic to burst away, finishing with 27 disposals and 10 tackles .

Zoe Petrides
Forward/Midfielder | 165cm | 28/09/2008

Petrides is a talented Morningside forward who catches the eye with her smart ball use and great positioning. She reads the play up the field exceptionally well and cruises around the ground scanning for the right option . Against Gippsland Power, she booted three first-half goals and showcased her elite aerial ability, proving to be a one-take player who is a massive threat at ground level and in the air .

Aiyana Pritchard
Tall Forward/Utility | 175cm | 21/12/2008

A National Academy member, Pritchard is an explosive athlete who can seemingly do anything on the field when she is “on.” Her speed and athleticism make her a nightmare for opposition defenders . She kicked two goals against the Suns Academy, including a highlight-reel major where she burst away and finished on the run from 40 metres. Her ability to change direction and explode off a couple of steps is rare for a player with her aerial capabilities. Also tasted life as a tall defender and wing as well, given her athletic traits can impact anywhere on the field.

Stella Scott
Midfielder/Forward | 165cm | 19/12/2008

The Lions Academy co-captain delivered the kind of performances that will have AFLW recruiters paying close attention. Stepping up in the absence of key teammates, Scott feasted on Anzac Day against the Geelong Falcons, racking up 31 disposals, 10 marks, and seven tackles. She is a great two-way runner who feeds the ball off to teammates in good positions and uses both sides of her body effectively. Her endurance across all four quarters without fading is a telling marker of her physical preparation.

Freya Ross
Wing/Utility | 169cm | 04/11/2008

Ross is no stranger to covering plenty of ground, darting off a wing and back to half-back to intercept or mop up. She set the tone early in the season with an 18-disposal, 11-tackle performance against the Suns Academy. She also impacted the scoreboard, kicking two goals against the Giants Academy with impeccable timing and composure . She consistently finds the right position at the right moment, and even had some midfield minutes in the final game.

Others to Keep in Mind

Unfortunately injury kept talented tall forward Harlee McIlwain out of the later stages of the campaign, but she is right up in first round contention. Raffi Baviello is a tenacious small coming back from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and showed potential with her pressure as both a forward and midfielder. Key position utility Ella Gibson and reliable defender Jade Brazier area. couple more top-age names to remember, while Jemma Foley should be considered among the over-age possibilities.

Future Stars to Watch

The Lions Academy is well-stocked for the future, with some of the brightest bottom-age prospects in the country already dominating at the Under 18s level.

Ameleia Murray
Utility | 163cm | 13/09/2009

Murray’s football IQ is what sets her apart. The bottom-ager has an uncanny ability to be where the ball is going rather than where it has been. She produced one of her most complete performances against the Swans Academy, collecting 29 disposals and 11 marks while operating across the ground . She is aggressive with her forward running but maintains accountability in defence, making her one of the standout 2027 AFLW Draft prospects.

Kya Wills-Rawlings
Wing | 164cm | 04/01/2010

Fresh out of the Under 16 Championships, Wills-Rawlings looks ready to make an impact at a higher level. She produced a quintessential winger’s game against the Eastern Ranges, using her elite speed and endurance to rack up 29 disposals and 13 marks. As a get-and-go player who thrives on one-two opportunities, she breaks down opposition defences with her run and damaging disposal.

Indiana Scheffler
Key Forward | 181cm | 28/10/2009

Scheffler is a towering presence inside 50 who provided plenty of problems for opposition defences. She had a remarkable second term against the Suns Academy, kicking three goals in an eight-minute purple patch. Against Gippsland Power, she clunked seven marks and kicked two goals from 23 disposals, showing she can find a stack of the ball and work hard both inside 50 and up the ground.

Conclusion

The Brisbane Lions Academy’s 2026 Talent League Girls campaign highlighted a dominant midfield group and a potent forwardline. With top-age stars like Ferguson and Geere stepping up there, Pritchard in attack and names such as Petrides, Scott and Ross all demanding draft attention, the Lions are set for 2026. Brisbane also has plenty of incredible potential of bottom-agers like Murray and Wills-Rawlings, and it bodes well for the future of the AFLW Lions.