THE PENULTIMATE round of the AFL Women’s Under 18 Championships delivered plenty of action, highlighted by Western Australia’s thrilling 16-point comeback victory over Vic Country, and a tightly contested draw between the Allies and Queensland. The Allies and Queensland lead the way in our Round 4 Team of the Week with seven representatives each, while Western Australia (six) and Vic Country (four) round out the 24-player squad.

DEFENDERS:

The back six is anchored by a pair of Western Australian and Vic Country top-agers who stood tall under immense pressure. Mia Carlshausen was the conductor out of the back half for the Sandgropers, gathering 13 disposals, four marks, and three rebound 50s while locking down defensively. She is joined by Vic Country’s Millie Shortal, who played her best game of the championships with 12 disposals, nine tackles, and three rebound 50s, bringing immense pressure and powerful left-foot kicking. Rounding out the deep defensive unit is Queensland’s Stephanie Aguinaldo, who was staunch in defence with 15 disposals, four marks, and four rebound 50s.

The half-back line features plenty of run and intercepting ability from the Allies. Ashleigh Barlow provided vital drive with 16 disposals, three marks, and four rebound 50s. She is flanked by teammate Charlotte Tidemann, who collected 11 disposals and drove the ball inside 50 on six occasions. Rounding out the defensive unit is the Allies’ Evie Ward, who was a reliable distributor with 15 disposals and four tackles.

MIDFIELDERS:

The centre line is headlined by a trio of ball-winners who took control of the stoppages. Queensland’s Molly Ferguson again put together a complete performance with a game-high 26 disposals, four marks, five tackles, and six clearances. She is joined by the Allies’ Frances Walsh, who racked up 22 disposals, four marks, and five inside 50s as one of the Allies’ best, while Queensland’s Summer Browning is on the opposite wing having played her best game of the season and amassing 15 disposals, three marks, and five inside 50s.

In the ruck, Cara Dziegielewski takes the starting spot after another dominant outing for Western Australia. The athletic tall won 26 hitouts from her 16 disposals, two clearances, and three rebound 50s, consistently giving her midfielders first use. At her feet, the Allies’ Zoe Curry racked up 23 disposals, four marks, four tackles, five clearances, and a goal, while fellow National Academy member, Western Australia’s Lexi Strachan completes the starting midfield group, producing a massive nine clearances to go with 19 disposals and nine tackles in a best-on-ground performance.

FORWARDS:

The forwardline balances dangerous marking targets with high-pressure link players. Vic Country’s Ava Bilyk threatened all day through the middle, collecting 28 disposals, five tackles, six clearances, and five inside 50s while pushing forward to set up crucial goals. Western Australia’s Hannah Seaborn produced a complete all-round game with 10 disposals, a whopping 11 tackles, three clearances, and two goals. Vic Country forward Eliza Roche was lively throughout the four quarters, gathering 16 disposals, six marks, five tackles, and a goal in a two-way performance.

Deeper inside 50, Queensland’s Grace Cooper was the focal point for her side, booting four goals from 12 disposals and five tackles. She is joined by teammate Zoe Petrides, who gathered 17 disposals, two marks, and kicked a goal rolling between half-forward and midfield. Completing the on-field group is Allies’ Peggy Rock who booted two consecutive crucial goals from her seven disposals.

INTERCHANGE:

The interchange bench features a mix of inside grunt and outside class. Western Australian pair Niah Catto (two final-quarter goals) and Beatrice Crane (12 disposals, four rebound 50s) were huge in their side’s comeback victory at either end. Vic Country’s Grace Dillow was a welcome inclusion to our Team of the week, booting two first-quarter goals to set the tone early.

The Allies duo Matilda Lange (17 disposals, seven clearances) and Aurelia Russell (16 disposals, three clearances) round out the bench as other impressive performers alongside Queensland’s Freya Ross (15 disposals, seven tackles, four clearances).

EMERGENCIES:

It was a tight squeeze for the final squad, with Western Australia’s Charlie Fletcher (11 disposals, six tackles, five inside 50s), Queensland’s Ameleia Murray (15 disposals, two tackles), and Vic Country’s Lacey Nihill (13 disposals, three tackles) named as emergencies after strong performances.

2026 AFLW UNDER 18 CHAMPIONSHIPS: ROUND 4 TEAM OF THE WEEK

B: Mia Carlshausen (Western Australia) – Stephanie Aguinaldo (Queensland) – Millie Shortal (Vic Country)
HB: Evie Ward (Allies) – Ashleigh Barlow (Allies) – Charlotte Tidemann (Allies)
C: Summer Browning (Queensland) – Molly Ferguson (Queensland) – Frances Walsh (Allies)
HF: Ava Bilyk (Vic Country) – Hannah Seaborn (Western Australia) – Eliza Roche (Vic Country)
F: Peggy Rock (Allies) – Grace Cooper (Queensland) – Zoe Petrides (Queensland)
R: Cara Dziegielewski (Western Australia) – Zoe Curry (Allies) – Lexi Strachan (Western Australia)
INT: Niah Catto (Western Australia) – Beatrice Crane (Western Australia) – Grace Dillow (Vic Country) – Matilda Lange (Allies) – Freya Ross (Queensland) – Aurelia Russell (Allies)

EMG: Charlie Fletcher (Western Australia) – Ameleia Murray (Queensland) – Lacey Nihill (Vic Country)