A STACKED All-Australian team from the AFL Women’s Under 18 Championships has been revealed, with Vic Country MVP and star midfielder Ava Bilyk named captain of the side. Despite Vic Country only winning the one game, Bilyk was best-on in almost every game she played for Country, and deservedly earned that accolade as well as the overall carnival best and fairest.

Bilyk’s MVP-winning national tournament followed on from her Under 16s MVP for Country. She of course earned the starting centre spot and was named on-ball with Allies pair Matilda Lange and Zoe Curry. Unsurprisingly Western Australia MVP Cara Dziegielewski earned the starting ruck spot, with Allies’ Frances Walsh and Vic Metro’s Maddison Meagher named on the wings.

The forwardline features four midfielders who are capable of rolling forward, with South Australian duo Lani Cocks and Emma Charlton named inside 50 along with Queensland MVP Molly Ferguson and Vic Metro ball-winner Emily Rankin. Carnival leading goalkicker Bailee Martin – who finished with 12 goals – was a lock for full-forward despite only playing three games, while fellow National Academy member Harlee McIlwain slotted into centre half-forward.

Up the other end of the ground, a breakout carnival from South Australia’s Olivia Leslie earned her the full-b ack spot, with Swans Academy’s Ashleigh Barlow‘s dream top-age campaign rewarded with a spot at centre half-back. Vic Metro MVP Alli Allen was named in a back pocket, as a trio of National Academy members occupied the last three spots. South Australian Emily Mableson, West Australian Mia Carlshausen and Allies’ Charlotte Tidemann rounded out the starting side.

Looking to the bench and speedy midfielders Lucy Moore (South Australia) and Aurelia Russell (Allies) both deserved their places with National Academy pair Morgan Stevens (Allies) and Sophie White (Vic Country) on the interchange with South Australian forward Madeline Nuss who finished second in the goalkicking behind Martin. Her coach and title-winning mentor Brad Snell was named the coach of the side.

Champions South Australia recorded six players in the All-Australian team, one less than the Allies who had their best ever carnival result. Vic Metro had four players, while Queensland, Vic Country and Western Australia each had two.

2026 AFLW U18s ALL-AUSTRALIAN TEAM:

B: Mia Carlshausen (Western Australia) – Olivia Leslie (South Australia) – Alli Allen (Vic Metro)
HB: Emily Mableson (South Australia) – Ashleigh Barlow (Allies) – Charlotte Tidemann (Allies)
C: Frances Walsh (Allies) – Ava Bilyk (Vic Country) (c) – Maddy Meagher (Vic Metro)
HF: Lani Cocks (South Australia) – Harlee McIlwain (Queensland) – Emily Rankin (Vic Metro)
F: Emma Charlton (South Australia) – Bailee Martin (Vic Metro) – Molly Ferguson (Queensland)
R: Cara Dziegielewski (Western Australia) – Matilda Lange (Allies) – Zoe Curry (Allies)
INT: Lucy Moore (South Australia) – Madeline Nuss (South Australia) – Aurelia Russell (Allies) – Morgan Stevens (Allies) – Sophie White (Vic Country)

Coach: Brad Snell (South Australia)