THE BEST of the 2025 AFL Women’s draft class will be on full display this Sunday when the AFL Women’s Academy has its biannual match against the All-Stars. The Academy won both matches last year, the first being a thrashing against a combination Victorian and Allies side, before a much tighter contest facing the best of the rest that included states such as Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia.

That is the formula the AFL has gone with in 2025, with representatives from across each of the eight states or territories between both sides. This year the All-Stars only include top-agers or over-agers with a distinct look across the country for clubs perhaps seeking injury replacements if and when they occur.

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The main talking point around the match from the National Academy will be whether or not likely pick one Ava Usher will make her long-awaited return from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. She is one of four Suns Academy members in the squad with a bumper cropped tip for the Queensland side. She is joined by fellow top-end players Georja Davies and Dekota Baron.

There are no shortage of athletic talls in the team, with West Australian pair Olivia Wolmarans and Alicia Blizard set to create havoc up forward along Glenelg young gun Eloise Mackereth. Up the other end, West Australian two-time MVP Evie Cowcher and potentially Jade McLay will be anchors alongside Dandenong talent Mizuki Brothwell.

Subiaco prospect Olivia Crane is in the same boat as Usher, having not played since tearing her ACL last year. From the Apple Isle, midfielders Priya Bowering and Mischa Barwin can both go forward, while Swans Academy ruck Madeleine Quinn and Northern Territory speedster Marika Carlton are others to keep an eye on.

From the All-Stars side, watch for a number of over-age prospects who were unlucky not to get picked up in the 2024 AFLW Draft including former National Academy members Tatyana Perry, Emma Juneja and Ash Patton. Speedster Amelie Prosser-Shaw and North Melbourne VFLW recruit Jemmika Douglas are a couple of the others available right now, as is Sydney utility Ellie Veerhuis.

Looking to the top-age prospects, and the likes of East Perth wing/forward Lucy Greenwood and Norwood utility Charli Hazelhurst can create some highlights, while Stella Huxtable will add inside grunt alongside Gold Coast Suns Academy pair, Annabelle Foat and Bronte Parker. In defence, Alex McBride-Loane and Zara Neuwirth will hold down some key roles, while up the other end, Ava Bibby presents as a marking target out of Bendigo.

DETAILS

AUSTRALIA UNDER 18s vs ALL-STARS
Sunday, April 20, 2025
1:30pm AEST
RSEA Park
Free entry

HOW TO WATCH: Sunday’s match between Australia U18 and the All Stars will be available to watch live and free on the AFLW website.

AUSTRALIA UNDER 18s

ALL STARS