BACK for a second all-Victorian clash at Under 16s level, the top talents of the 2023 and 2024 AFLW Drafts will lock horns at La Trobe University on Thursday afternoon. The match, which gets underway at 12:30pm, will be a chance for 2005-born players to further stake their claims for making their respective state hubs next year. Ultimately, it is a taste of what is to come for future drafts.

LAST TIME

Vic Country 7.14 (56) defeated Vic Metro 3.7 (25)

These sides faced off just last week at Avalon Airport Oval on Friday. Despite kicking an inaccurate 7.14 (56), Country proved too good for their Metro rivals, defeating them by 31 points. Lila Keck had a day out with 21 disposals, four marks, five tackles, two clearances, two inside 50s and 2.3, whilst fellow 2005-born Stingray Mikayla Williamson (15 disposals, three marks, two tackles. three clearances and six inside 50s) also impressed. Keck would be a huge chance to play in the Under 18s game tomorrow as a bottom-ager. From the 06-crop, Lucia Painter and Ash Centra caught the eye with outstanding highlights. For Metro, the 2007-born Chloe Baker-West racked up the ball with ease, whilst Maggie Mahony, Kyla Forbes and Tiger Doultree all found plenty of the football, and Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner looked impressive throughout.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Lucia Painter (Bendigo Pioneers)

The top-age talent had a massive start to the game last time out and would e a key player once again for Vic Country in this one. She kicked the first two goals of the match, and though she went a little quieter in the second half, her hardness around the ball and ability to make things happen catch the eye. One of the most promising 2006-born Country talents.

Ash Centra (Gippsland Power)

Though she only kicked the four behinds, Centra’s ability to move in transition going forward, and use the ball by hand or foot is key. She can take a contested grab, but also possesses the athleticism to evade would-be tacklers and create scoring chains forward of centre.

Chloe Adams (Geelong Falcons)

The 2005-born Falcons defender had a lot more time in the midfield as an over-ager in this side compared to being a bottom-ager in Geelong’s team. She gave a glimpse into a role she could play next year in the NAB League Girls, amassing a team-high six clearances and eight inside 50s to go with 17 touches, two marks and four tackles.

Chloe Baker-West (Calder Cannons)

A remarkable bottom-age talent, Baker-West had the ball on a string early, dominating the first quarter through the midfield and finishing with an equal game-high 21 touches. Despite being at least a year younger than all bar one player on the field, Baker-West proved that age is just a number and cracked in hard across the course of the game.

Maggie Mahony (Oakleigh Chargers)

Catching the eye in her debut NAB League Girls season, the 2006-born Mahony carried that form into this game to be one of the prime Metro movers. She was often behind the ball, mopping up in defence, as well as getting time through the midfield rotation. She will be one who will likely develop into a full-time midfield with time.

Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner (Western Jets)

The athletic yet raw over-ager showed glimpses of her potential as she has in the latter stages of her NAB League Girls season with Western Jets. She is a super athletic forward who can move the ball in transition, and is also capable of both pulling down a mark and applying pressure to the opposition. One who has plenty of upside for the future.

WHO WINS?

Vic Country would be favourites again with some great depth, and both sides are likely to change depending on Under 18s selection. Keck is one player who could very well step up to the grade, whilst Metro’s Laura Stone is the sole Under 18s squad member who played in game one. Back at Metro’s home ground at La Trobe University in Bundoora, it will be fascinating to see how Metro improves from game one to game two. Both sides were inaccurate in the first clash, so that will be an area to improve on.