TASMANIA unfortunately finished the AFLW Under 16s carnival without a win, but had every right to hold on against the Giants Academy in a heartbreaking defeat, while were competitive early against a strong Swans Academy in game one.

RESULTS:

Tasmania 4.5 (29) def. by Swans Academy 8.15 (63) | Scouting Notes
Tasmania 6.10 (46) def. by Giants Academy 7.6 (48) | Scouting Notes

TOP TALENT:

#13 Matilda Lange
Kingborough | 166cm | 30/01/2009

An absolute star of the future and genuine top prospect for her draft class with the way she can just about do it all. Her performances are nothing new – she starred as a bottom ager at the 15 and Under School Sport Australia carnival back in 2023 at just 14 and has won just about every accolade there is to win so far. Her strength and contested appetite is remarkable, and she can not only kick on both sides of her body but has penetration with both as well. Went forward and kicked three goals against the Giants Academy and showed she can be a forward option as well as a midfielder, and just finds space so well and understands the game better than just about anyone. Remember the name.

NAMES TO REMEMBER:

#1 Aya Cottam
South Launceston | 167cm | 10/01/2010

Incredible to think that Cottam is still a bottom-ager so will likely be back at the Development Championships in 2026. Riding shotgun to Lange’s midfield exploits, Cottam rotated between all three areas. Strong overhead and capable of doing damage wherever she goes, the South Launceston talent has the athletic traits which clubs love, and she reads the game so well. In the loss to the Giants, Cottam had a whopping 12-disposals first term, and for the carnival averaged 25.5 disposals, 6.0 marks, 5.0 tackles, 3.5 clearances, 4.5 inside 50s and 4.5 rebound 50s.

#4 Sienna Woodcock
Latrobe | 155cm | 16/10/2009

A hard-working small midfielder who can play a key role in defence, Woodcock was as reliable as they come. Though the smallest on the team, Woodcock packed a punch and was not afraid to surge in transition and dish off to teammates opening up scoring plays from the back half. Able to read the ball in flight, she times her marking attempts well and that is also the case with her work by hand to set others up.

#25 Taryn Lowe
Latrobe | 169cm | 23/01/2009

The most consistent outside of Lange and Cottam across both games, Lowe was a rock in the back half where she provided important rebound from defence for the Devils. Across the two matches, Lowe averaged 14.5 disposals, 3.0 marks, 3.5 tackles and 3.0 rebound 50s to battle hard both on the last line and then around stoppages in the defensive 50 to win a couple of critical clearances.

#26 Luca Murgatroyd
North Hobart | 178cm | 01/04/2009

Murgatroyd provided a target inside 50 and her explosiveness off the lead and general athleticism was eye-catching for a player of her height. One of the stars from the Tasmania Devils’ Preseason Testing Day, Murgatroyd booted two of her side’s four goals against the Swans Academy and is capable of being a marking target inside 50. Once the ball hits the deck all is not lost though, with the talented athlete able to recover quickly and impact after the initial contest.

OTHERS WHO IMPRESSED:

Tasmania had a host of exciting prospects who bobbed up here and there, with the eye-catching Holly Sutcliffe one who had a high impact-per-possession. She will be one that only needs a few touches to hurt the opposition, while the likes of Sophie Dean and Olivia Lyons worked hard all over the ground and impressed for the Apple Isle.