WHILE reigning champion South Australia has completed its 2023 AFLW Under 18 Championships campaign for another season, there are still five out of nine matches to be played in the national carnival. With a week off this weekend, Vic Country finally enters the fray, and later in August, Western Australia makes its long-awaited return.

RESULTS SO FAR

Western Australia 4.1 (25) defeated by South Australia 8.12 (60)
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>> Scouting notes

Allies 8.3 (51) defeated by Vic Metro 10.10 (70)
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>> Scouting notes

Vic Metro 4.4 (28) defeated by South Australia 13.8 (86)
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>> Scouting notes

South Australia 9.5 (59) defeated Queensland 6.3 (39)
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>> Scouting notes

REMAINING FIXTURES

Sunday, July 30 | Queensland vs. Vic Country @ Brighton Homes Arena, 12pm
Sunday, August 6 | Queensland vs. Allies @ Heritage Bank Stadium, 12pm
Saturday, August 12 | Vic Country vs. Vic Metro @ Swinburne Centre, 1pm
Sunday, August 13 | Allies vs. Western Australia @ Blacktown International Sportspark, 12pm
Saturday, August 19 | Western Australia vs. Vic Country @ Pentanet Stadium, 12pm

SOUTH AUSTRALIA HAS GONE UNDEFEATED, DOES IT MEAN THEY ARE BACK-TO-BACK CHAMPIONS?

The short answer is, not yet. Unlike the boys’ version of the same national carnival, going undefeated does not always equalise taking out the title. The reason for this is in the boys’ carnival there are five states – including the combined Allies side – who face each other, so if a team goes undefeated, it has beaten every other team and therefore are obvious champions.

South Australia went undefeated by beating Western Australia, Vic Metro and Queensland at this year’s AFLW Under 18 Championships. However, the Croweaters did not get to play Allies or Vic Country. The Allies have lost to Vic Metro already, so they cannot win the title, however Vic Country is yet to play. Theoretically, Vic Country has the opportunity to win the title on percentage.

On paper, Queensland and Vic Country are arguably the second and third seeded sides which bodes well for a terrific clash on July 30. However there is much more on the line for both Vic Country and South Australia. If Queensland win, Vic Country cannot win the title and it means the Croweaters officially go back-to-back. If Vic Country win, then they will need to beat Vic Metro and Western Australia in August – and build a larger percentage than South Australia in doing so – to take the title.

WHO ARE SOME OF THE EARLY MVP CONTENDERS?

Given South Australia has finished its campaign, the Croweaters are the only state that would be aware of its MVPs. The three players who are the two past MVP winners in Lauren Young and Shineah Goody, while bottom-ager India Rasheed has also enjoyed a wonderfully consistent carnival. All three should be walk-up starters in the All-Australian team, with a host of others such as Jemma Charity and Brooke Boileau also consistent across all three matches.

Vic Metro has only played the two games, though Eastern Ranges midfielder Laura Stone would be the front-runner at this stage, as one of the best in game one, and the standout in game two. Oakleigh Chargers bottom-ager Emma McDonald starred in game one but was rested for game two.

WHERE ARE THE GAMES STREAMED?

The matches are streamed via the AFL Women’s website, and then uploaded as full replays a few days later.