WHILE the attention was on those in action during the AFLW Under 18 Championships Round 1, there were still plenty of listed prospects who missed out on the opening weekend’s selection – be it through injury or omission – and we took a look around the country at those who didn’t play and who they did, or didn’t perform last weekend.

ALLIES:

Giants Academy: Billie Hamilton, Zoe Curry
Murray Bushrangers: Charlie Gibson
Swans Academy: Emma McCallum

The most obvious inclusion and only top-age omission from Round 1 is Oakleigh Chargers skipper Zoe Curry who is still recovering from injury and will hoping to face South Australia this weekend. Of the three bottom-agers also in contention to earn a spot, each played for their local clubs.

Billie Hamilton – the younger sister of AFLW-listed Lexi and Cynthia – had a day out for Queanbeyan Tigers against the Gunghalin Jets, booting nine goals in the Tigers’ 16.17 (113) to 0.0 (0) top-against-bottom victory in First Grade Women’s action in Canberra.

Warners Bay would have loved having intercepting defender Emma McCallum return to the AFL Hunter Central Coast, where she was named amongst the best in the Round 7 31-point victory over Nelson Bay Marlins where she was named amongst the best.

Murray Bushrangers’ Charlie Gibson returned to the strong Lavington Panthers’ lineup where she played in the Under 18s for the second time this season with her team unsurprisingly completely dominating the league with seven wins from seven games and a percentage of 563.86 per cent. They had a fight against second placed Corowa Rutherglen however, winning by 11 points at home.

QUEENSLAND:

Lions Academy: Kya Wills-Rawlings, Ameleia Murray, Edie Fraser, Mia Geere
Suns Academy: Tobi Skalij, Harriet Howe, Summer Browning, Anna Powell

The injury toll for the Queensland hurt the Maroons on the weekend, with National Academy members Summer Browning and Mia Geere and bottom-age jets Ameleia Murray and Edie Fraser also on the sidelines of whom all should be walk-up starts to the lineup.

Double bottom-age running half-back/wing Kya Wills-Rawlings was the sole Lions Academy member in the Queensland squad who played on the weekend, incredibly playing at Under 17s level for Maroochydore. She is coming off a ridiculous performance in the win over Eastern Ranges where she ran the opposition ragged.

From the trio of remaining Suns, Harriet Howe played two games in three days, representing her Southport Senior High School on Friday, before playing for Southport Sharks’ Under 17s side on Sunday. Anna Powell played for Bond University’s QAFLW Reserves outfit against Broadbeach, while Tobi Skalij didn’t play on the weekend.

Queensland does not play its next national carnival match until June 28.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA:

Players: Lily Thomas, Charlee Brooksby, Georgie Fielder, Charlotte Maurits, Indiana Nelson, Kate Alexander, Taya Maxwell

It was unfortunate timing for those Croweaters who missed out on the first-up squad due to no SANFLW taking place. For pick one contender Taya Maxwell, Norwood’s Charlee Brooksby, Glenelg’s Georgie Fielder and Central District bottom-ager Charlotte Maurits – all of whom would be in the side – it was an extra week to recover from various injuries.

The remaining three available players were named as emergencies, being Norwood pair Kate Alexander and Lillian Thomas and Central District’s Indianna Nelson. Alexander is the only top-ager of the trio, but didn’t play given she has played the entire SANFLW season thus far, while Thomas ran out for Tea Tree Gully in the Adelaide Footy League where she kicked a goal. Nelson, who is part of the same Tea Tree Gully side, was rested.

VIC COUNTRY:

Players: Lily Brittain, Skylah McPherson, Mia Smith-Clark, Ella Bologa, Meyah Fursland, Gabrielle Mehrman

Unfortunately for the all the Vic Country players that missed out, none of their Talent League teams played, so it meant local football or a weekend’s rest was on the agenda with none of the prospects taking to the field. Skylah McPherson and Gabrielle Mehrmann are both in recovery at the moment as they would have been fairly straight forward selections for the ‘Big V’.

Bottom-age Dandenong Stingrays stars Lily Brittain and Ella Bologa – both tied to the Narre North Foxes – as well as top-age hopefuls Meyah Fursland (Geelong Falcons) and Mia Smith-Clark (Gippsland Power).

Queensland does not play its next national carnival match until June 28.

VIC METRO:

Players: Perri Goulding, Somer McCormack, Bridie Neale, Lara Williams, Mackenzie Ackland, Lola Stone, Scarlett Bown, Aluk Kuol, Luella Hall, Holly Clough

The bulk of the Vic Metro players still got an opportunity to play Talent League Girls, with Eastern Ranges running defender-midfielder Lara Williams starring with 29 disposals, four marks, six clearances and six inside 50s, leading the midfield. Winger Bridie Neale also spent rare time on-ball during the second half and finished with 16 disposals, two marks, three tackles, two clearances and two inside 50s. Bottom-age train-on Perri Goulding impressed as well with eight tackles and five clearances from 17 disposals between attack and midfield. The other Ranges player – Mackenzie Ackland – didn’t play.

In the same game, Sandringham Dragons’ Vic Metro train-on in Luella Hall starred through the midfield, providing plenty of dash on her way to 21 disposals, three marks, five inside 50s and five rebound 50s. In the other match between the Northern Knights and Calder Cannons, Holly Clough did her best to convince selectors she should get a crack in a stacked Metro front half, booting four goals from 12 disposals in the 21-point victory. Lola Stone (12 disposals, four marks, four tackles, four inside 50s and a goal) played up forward for the Knigths, while teammate Somer McCormack didn’t play.

The last two players were talented Oakleigh Chargers bottom-ager Scarlett Bown and Aluk Kuol Mon. Bown didn’t play over the weekend, but Kuol returned to the Wyndham Suns in teh Western Football Netball League (WFNL) where she was named amongst the best in her side’s mammoth 159-2 thrashing of Caroline Springs.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA:

Players: Mel Grage, Cienna Leslie, Tiama Collard, Tahlia Head, Macy Fair, Summer Ajduk, Olivia McCay, Caitlin Boss, Beatrice Crane, Mia van Kleef, Zaide Wilson, Penelope Punaivaha, Niah Catto

Double bottom-ager Caitlin Boss was outstanding in Subiaco’s tough loss to Perth, picking up 16 disposals, four marks, three tackles and seven inside 50s to put her hand up as an option for the Sandgropers. On the opposite side, Niah Catto picked up 10 disposals for the Demons in what is just her her game of WAFLW footy. Neither Mel Grage nor Beatrice Crane were in action, the former having been recovering from injury since her last match in Round 4.

One of the most intriguing returns via the WAFLW rather than straight into the WA squad was talented Peel Thunder winger Tiama Collard who returned from concussion to win 12 disposals and lay five tackles – while also kicking a goal – in the Thunder’s heavy loss to Claremont. None of Tahlia Head, Zaide Wilson or Mia Van Kleef played.

It was a similar story for Summer Ajduk, Olivia McCay and Cienna Leslie between injuries and East Fremantle having a bye, while Subiaco’s Macy Fair continues her return from an ACL injury. Penelope Punaivaha has not added to her sole Rogers Cup game in Round 5.