QUEENSLAND was really competitive from start to finish at the 2022 AFL Women’s Under 18 Championships. The Maroons went down to Vic Metro after fading in the second half at Metricon Stadium, but bounced back to notch up two wins over Vic Country and the Allies respectively. With no shortage of standout performers, here are six names that caught the eye.

MVP: Alana Gee (Southport/Gold Coast Suns Academy)

Producing yet another outstanding carnival, Gee justified her position amongst the top players in the 2022 AFLW Draft. The speedster played a variety of roles from her traditional midfield, to half-back and even resting forward to kick a goal against Vic Metro. She averaged 24 disposals, four marks, three tackles, four clearances, four inside 50s, two rebound 50s and slotted the two goals across her three games. Deservingly named on a wing in the All-Australian team, Gee had a carnival to remember, and solidified her position once again as Queensland’s top draft prospect this year.

OTHER STANDOUTS:

Jasmyn Smith (Bond University/Gold Coast Suns Academy)

Named as Queensland’s surprise packet for the carnival, Smith lead all-comers in clearances with 18, or six per game across three matches. She amassed 17.7 disposals, 2.3 marks, 6.0 tackles and 3.0 inside 50s as well, providing some good dash and movement in transition. Smith proved slippery at the stoppages and drew free kicks, as well as escaped clutches to have an influence in each of the three games. She also co-captained Queensland in the final match.

Imogen Evans (Bond University/Gold Coast Suns Academy)

The Gold Coast Suns Academy skipper started forward in the first game against Vic Metro, before getting her turn to rotate through the deep Queensland midfield. It allowed her to have more of an impact around stoppages and going forward, to finish with 15.0 disposals, 3.7 marks, 4.7 tackles and 2.7 inside 50s. Her work rate around the ground is superb, and her consistency with ball-in-hand is very good.

Fleur Davies (Southport/Gold Coast Suns Academy)

The Southport prospect might not have had the best stats of the ruck talents, but to the naked eye seemed to have more, if not the most impact on games. She averaged the 8.3 disposals, 2.3 marks, 10.3 hitouts, 3.0 tackles and 2.0 inside 50s, but she provided a presence around the ground and was clean when in the ruck. Davies had a consistent carnival across the three games, but particularly warming up in the later games.

Havana Harris (Burleigh/Brisbane Lions Academy)

Earning an All-Australian spot for her combination work between full-forward and the ruck, Harris kicked three goals from her three games, and managed the 8.7 disposals, 2.0 marks, 11.7 hitouts, 2.0 tackles and 2.0 inside 50s for her troubles. She is an exciting 2006-born prospect and a tall whose dribble goal against Allies further highlighted her athleticism.

Charlotte Mullins (Aspley/Brisbane Lions Academy)

Piecing together a strong carnival across the three games, Mullins’ movement in transition from defence to the midfield and getting it inside 50 saw her showcase that class she has around the ground. Averaging 15.3 disposals, 2.3 marks, 2.7 tackles, 3.0 clearances and 3.7 inside 50s, Mullins provided that extra option on the outside, then was able to impact at stoppages on the inside as well.

Ella Smith (Aspley/Brisbane Lions Academy)

Captaining the Sunshine State onto Metricon Stadium against Vic Metro, Smith spent time on the wing, and then went inside against Vic Country at Werribee. Though she missed out on her third game due to rowing commitments, Smith made up for it across the two fixtures she did play, being amongst the best on the ground against Country, and averaging 19.5 disposals, 3.0 marks, 2.5 tackles, 3.0 clearances and 2.0 inside 50s for the carnival.