GWS GIANTS Academy enjoyed taking out the 2024 AFL Women’s Under 16 Championships, picking up wins over Tasmania and Northern Territory to be the only undefeated team in Pool B. The Giants knocked off Tasmania by 32 points in game one on Friday, before a comfortable 44-point victory over Northern Territory on Monday.

Those results mean the Giants finished the carnival on two wins, with Tasmania defeating the Sydney Swans Academy, and the Swans Academy too strong for Northern Territory in the other results of Pool B. We run through each team, their results and some of the standouts.

Giants Academy

Results:

Giants Academy 10.7 (67) defeated Tasmania 5.5 (35)
Giants Academy 9.8 (62) defeated Northern Territory 2.6 (18)

Standouts:

The Giants Academy were well supported by a trio of Coates Talent League Girls players in the match, with Oakleigh Chargers-linked midfielder Zoe Curry racking up 26 disposals, nine tackles, eight clearances and six inside 50s in the win over Tasmania. Meanwhile Murray Bushrangers duo Rose Bell (26 disposals, four marks and seven rebound 50s) and Majella Day (24 disposals, six marks, five inside 50s and a goal) were brilliant.

The most consistent across both games was Darcie Prosser-Shaw who averaged 21.5 disposals, 4.0 marks, 5.5 tackles, 2.5 clearances, 8.0 inside 50s and a goal in each match.

Tasmania Devils

Results:

Tasmania 5.5 (35) lost to Giants Academy 10.7 (67)
Tasmania 7.12 (54) defeated Swans Academy 6.3 (39)

Standouts:

It was hard to look past bottom-age star Matilda Lange, who was awarded the Most Valuable Player (MVP) after a remarkable two games. Lange averaged 29.5 disposals, 2.0 marks, 5.5 tackles, 8.0 clearances, 6.5 inside 50s and 2.0 rebound 50s to follow up from her strong School Sport Australia (SSA) 15 and Under carnival last year.

Lauderdale’s Evie Ward (30 disposals, four marks, three tackles, 11 clearances, three inside 50s and three rebound 50s) was phenomenal in the loss to the Giants Academy, before another 21-disposal, three-mark, three-clearance, three-inside 50 and one goal effort against the Swans Academy. Evie Bingham also caught the eye across both games teaming up with the pair well.

Swans Academy

Results:

Swans Academy 13.9 (87) defeated Northern Territory 5.5 (35)
Swans Academy 6.3 (39) lost to Tasmania 7.12 (54)

Standouts:

Frances Walsh was one to watch across the two games, averaging 25.5 disposals, 2.0 marks, 6.5 tackles, 3.5 inside 50s and she kicked a goal against Northern Territory. She was one of a number of players who stepped up, with the Swans losing the clearance count in both games, but winning the inside 50 count against Northern Territory.

Aurelia Russell (23.5 disposals, 2.45 marks, 3.5 tackles, 4.5 inside 50s and a goal against Tasmania was also impressive, as the like of Evie Bowie, Emma Haley and Ashleigh Barlow all had their moments across the two games for the red and white. Potential Swans and Collingwood father-daughter prospect Jordan Davis kicked two goals against the Devils in the first half.

Northern Territory

Results:

Northern Territory 5.5 (35) lost to Swans Academy 13.9 (87)
Northern Territory 2.6 (18) lost to Giants Academy 9.8 (62)

Standouts:

A bottom-age star in Peggy Rock earned the Territory’s MVP award, with a dominant game against the Giants Academy. The 2009-born Rock picked up 27 disposals, two marks, five tackles, five clearances, two inside 50s and three rebound 50s in the 44-point loss, before managing 16 touches, four tackles and two clearances in the defeat to Swans Academy.

The silky Marika Carlton remains a player to watch for next year, with the over-ager for this carnival producing consistent performances across both matches. Shakaila Gardiner-Dunn and Danika McDonald – who both played through this tournament 12 months ago – were other 2007-born prospects that stood out.