FEATURING all 13 regions, the AFL announced the 2026 Talent League Girls Team of the Year yesterday. The Team of the Year takes into consideration a player’s entire season, including performances through the Talent League, AFL National Championships, VFLW matches and any other matches through the talent pathway such as the National Academy showcase games.

Unbeaten ladder leaders and grand finalists Dandenong Stingrays lead the way with five representatives in the girls’ side, while Geelong Falcons co-captain Ava Bilyk was named skipper of the side following her incredible top-age season across every competition she played. Eastern Ranges skipper and Vic Metro midfielder Emily Rankin was named her vice-captain.

Unsurprisingly, dominant Tasmanian midfielder Matilda Lange was the other on-baller, while specialist wing Maddison Meagher and versatile midfielder/forward Lily Milner out of Northern Knights and Gippsland Power respectively were the nominated wingers for the side.

Up forward, equal leading goalkicker, Calder Cannons’ Chloe Bullen was named in a forward pocket – with the other leading goalkicker – Dandenong Stingrays’ Annie Clish – on the bench. Talent League Girls Best and Fairest Peggy Rock slotted into the other forward pocket, while Vic Country top-agers Greea McKeegan and Eliza Roche represented the Geelong Falcons and Murray Bushrangers on respective half-forward flanks.

Sandringham bottom-ager Maya Duane holds down the centre half-forward position, one of two Dragons in the side. The other is hard-running utility Grace McIntyre who is at half-back. She shares that line with Vic Metro MVP nad Northern Knights defender Alli Allen and Bendigo Pioneers left-footer Georgia Garlick.

Greater Western Victoria (GWV) Rebels’ Milly Shortal was named at full-back, while Dandenong Stingrays midfielders Zoe Zach and Scarlett Marsh, the latter of which spent some valuable minutes rotating behind the ball most games.

Their teammate Jasmine Whitten was rewarded for her fantastic season by being named on the interchange to go with her top five finish in the league best and fairest, the same as Eastern Ranges bottom-age ruck-forward Tillie Baldwin. Rounding out the interchange are Oakleigh Chargers tall Cleo Barbakas, and midfielders Western Jets’ Addison West and Oakleigh Chargers’ Zoe Curry.

2026 TALENT LEAGUE GIRLS TEAM OF THE YEAR:

B: Zoe Zach (Dandenong Stingrays) – Milly Shortal (GWV Rebels) – Scarlett Marsh (Dandenong Stingrays)
HB: Grace McIntyre (Sanringham Dragons) – Alli Allen (N orthern Knights) – Georgia Garlick (Bendigo Pioneers)
W: Lily Milner (Gippsland Power) – Ava Bilyk (Geelong Falcons) (c) – Maddy Meagher (Northern Knights)
HF: Greea McKeegan (Geelong Falcons) – Maya Duane (Sandringham Dragons) – Eliza Roche (Murray Bushrangers)
F: Chloe Bullen (Calder Cannons) – Bailee Martin (Oakleigh Chargers) – Peggy Rock (GWV Rebels/Northern Territory)
R: Sophie White (Dandenong Stingrays) – Emily Rankin (Eastern Ranges (vc) – Matilda Lange (Tasmania Devils)
INT: Tillie Baldwin (Eastern Ranges) – Cleo Barbakas (Oakleigh Chargers) – Annie Clish (Dandenong Stingrays) – Zoe Curry (Oakleigh Chargers/Giants Academy) – Addison West (Western Jets) – Jasmine Whitten (Dandenong Stingrays)