FEELING more prepared than ever before following trial games leading up to the national carnival, the Allies have named the 29-player squad – with 27 available representatives – ahead of the first AFLW Under 18 Championships match on Sunday. The Allies often start the carnival slow with a heavy loss before being more competitive after that, and the change in preparation to include trials allowed the combined states team to hit the ground running this weekend.

In what feels like the strongest Allies squad to-date, it would be a surprise to not see the side that includes prospects from NSW/ACT, Northern Territory and Tasmania competing with the standalone teams.

Unsurprisingly, New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory make up 22 of the 29 player squad, with Northern Territory (four) and Tasmania (three) competing the team. Unfortunately the Allies will be minus key defender and National Academy member Grace Tracey and Giants Academy utility Darcie Prosser-Shaw who are both recovering from long-term knee injuries.

There is no shortage of elite level talent however, headlined by Swans Academy speedster and recent National Academy MVP Charlotte Tidemann, Giants Academy bookends Majella Day and Morgan Stevens, and Oakleigh Chargers skipper Zoe Curry all part of the top performance program. Tasmania duo Evie Ward and Evie Bingham complete that group, with the other remaining Tasmanian in Matilda Lange being the pick one favourite for 2027.

The Swans Academy’s success resulted in a whopping 11 players making it into the team, and among them are talented midfielder-forwards Evie Bowie and Aurelia Russell, winger Frances Walsh – who is coming off an MVP for the All Stars team last weekend – and reliable rebounder, Ashleigh Barlow. Add in father-daughter prospect Jordan Davis alongside Ava Horneman and the top-age Swans core is strong.

From the Giants, Alana Fraser and Lauren O’Sullivan will sure up the defence, while in-form wing Isla Judd also made the side. Likewise the consistency of tenacious Emma Haley earned her a place, while Rose Bell is the sole Murray Bushrangers, non-Giants Academy top-ager in the team. Bottom-ager Charlie Gibson falls into that category, while Giants bottom-ager Evie Henley joins the likes of Peggy Rock, Emma McCallum, Billie Hamilton and Lolita Savala as other 2009-born stars to watch out for during the carnival.

2026 ALLIES AFLW U18s FIXTURE:

vs. Vic Country | Sunday, June 14 @ Blacktown International Sportspark
vs. South Australia | Sunday, June 21 @ Alberton Oval
vs. Queensland | Sunday, July 5 @ Brighton Homes Arena
vs. Western Australia | Saturday, July 11 @ Kennedy Community Centre

2026 ALLIES AFLW U18s SQUAD: