DESPITE a slow start, the GWS Giants Academy was able to run away from Northern Territory in the AFL Women’s Under 16s Development Championships after quarter time to boot nine consecutive goals. By the time Northern Territory responded with back-to-back majors, the game was done and dusted, with the Giants securing the 12.11 (83) to 5.2 (32) victory.

It was a flexing performance from the Giants who boast some top-end talls for the future who can play across multiple lines, and will get the opportunity to test themselves against Tasmania Devils in the other Under 16s clash. Though spirited early and bringing plenty of heat to the contest (plus-14 in tackles) the Territory could not match the overwhelming number of inside 50s in favour of the Giants Academy (40-19).

>> 2025 AFLW U16s | Scouting Notes: Swans Academy vs Tasmania

GIANTS ACADEMY 2.1 | 5.6 | 9.8 | 12.11 (83)
NORTHERN TERRITORY 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.2 | 5.2 (32)

GOALS:
Giants Academy: T. Larence 4, B. Hamilton 3, C. Gibson 2, S. Dawe, C. Hyland, E. Lihou
Northern Territory: L. Young 2, M. Cunningham, M. Smith, K. Ilett

RMC BEST:
Giants Academy: B. Hamilton, E. Henley, C. Gibson, T. Lawrence, A. Rainbow
Northern Territory: P. Rock, L. May, G. Anstess, J. Grant, M. Smith

GIANTS ACADEMY:

#13 Tayla Lawrence
Turvey Park | 168cm | 23/03/2009

A really classy medium forward who kicked four goals in the first 50 minutes of the match to be the key difference between the sides. She nailed the first two from outstanding footy smarts and then nailed her third by the 27th minute after judging the wind perfectly. She buzzed around inside 50 and snapped a fourth midway through the third term, with her kicking technique very good and looms as a high-upside forward.

#27 Charlie Gibson
Lavington Panthers | 172cm | 14/05/2009

A known quantity coming into the match, Gibson was enormous between midfield and attack, kicking a couple of goals and looking ever dangerous. She has a long kick and is so strong overhead clunking some great grabs on the lead. To highlight her terrific understanding of the game, late in the third term Gibson won a centre clearance, sprinted forward to win another touch at half-forward, put it deep inside 50 then despite the ball turning over and her running defensively, the moment the Giants won it back she darted into space towards goal. She had to make a secondary lead out in front when the kick fell short, but she marked then hit up a target inside 50 well. A very clever player.

#28 Evie Henley
North Albury | 172cm | 13/07/2009

Worked in tandem with Gibson and did the bulk of the heavy lifting around the stoppages. Henley racked up 10 clearances and laid eight tackles to go with 22 touches and was consistently involved at the coalface. She generally uses the ball well, and while a shot on goal did bounce the wrong side of the post, still impressed. She lowers the eyes and often looks for Gibson forward of centre knowing her teammate will capitalise. Her strength in the contest and ability to free her hands to dish off to teammates was a big tick, and while she is like Gibson as a known quantity and higher talented player, still went out and got the job done.

#30 Amelia Rainbow
Mosman | 173cm | 08/09/2009

Played in defence and used her raking boot to clear the danger zone time and time again. While he efficiency was down on what she has produced in the past – such as her eye-catching debut at AFL Sydney level – she was still consistently rebounding off half-back and putting the opposition under pressure. She cracked in and was not afraid to put her body on the line, while also have the rare ability to use both side of her body. Laid a team-high nine tackles to go with 17 disposals, getting opportunities to push up the ground as well.

#34 Billie Hamilton
Queanbeyan | 169cm | 14/11/2009

Caused all sorts of headaches for the Territory defence with her forward craft and smarts in front of goal. While Lawrence took control with the early scoreboard pressure, Hamilton finished the game with three majors of her own and set up countless others. She is strong on the lead or one-on-one, reliable from the set shot off a penetrating left boot, and she looked like scoring every time she went near it. Crucially. Hamilton was able to apply great defensive pressure for a player with such offensive abilities, and she ended the game with 22 disposals, seven marks, four tackles, five inside 50s and three goals in the win.

NORTHERN TERRITORY:

#7 Layla May
Darwin Buffaloes | 159cm | 14/05/2009

Tried hard coming off half-back and added some dare and dash with quick hands and explosive speed. She ran down an opponent early in the match at half-back to set the defensive tone, and finished as one of the more productive players for the Territory with 20 disposals, four marks, seven tackles, three clearances, two inside 50s and five rebounds. Consistently found the ball and tried to break the lines.

#12 Peggy Rock
Nightcliff | 169cm | 20/07/2009

Easily best afield for the Northern Territory, Rock was the main resistance in the middle against the Giants’ deep midfield. Last year’s MVP as a bottom-ager, Rock hits at full speed and has outstanding aggression and determination contest-to-contest. While her willingness to win the ball and drive it forward can run her into trouble, she was enormous around the clearances, winning a game-high 10 to go with eight tackles and 22 touches. Battled on so hard and showed clean hands at speed as well. Also applied a great bump to shepherd early in the second term after dishing off the handball.