QUEENSLAND kept its perfect record at the 2025 AFL Women’s Under 18 Championships intact with a hard-fought win over Vic Country. Both sides had plenty of contributors on the day and we took note of just some of those who caught the eye.

QUEENSLAND:

#1 Ameleia Murray (Maroochydore/Lions Academy)
Defender | 163cm | 13/09/2009

Stats: 9 disposals, 3 tackles, 1 clearance, 3 rebound 50s

The Under 16s All-Australian brings composure and decision making beyond her years, playing a year role in the defensive 50 for Queensland. She does all the defensive things right – such as a goal-saving smother in the forward pocket during the first term – while also having that offensive flair where she backs herself to take the game on and charge down the field. Had a number of eye-catching players as the youngest on the field.

#2 Aleah Stringer (Bond University/Suns Academy)
Wing/Forward | 165cm | 30/01/2007

Stats: 20 disposals, 5 marks, 2 tackles, 1 clearance, 4 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

Really lit up the game with her work in the forward half, playing off a wing and half-forward. She worked back to win the ball in the defensive half of the ground and propel from defence and set up plays down the field. At times her efficiency can be a little hit and miss, but she is creative, backs her pace and can be very creative forward of centre. Has plenty of upside in her game.

#6 Molly Ferguson (Maroochydore/Lions Academy)
Midfielder | 165cm | 20/04/2008

Stats: 12 disposals, 3 marks, 4 tackles, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50, 4 rebound 50s

One of the more exciting prospects for next year, Ferguson is a clean user with a nice burst from the stoppage, often being a second or third-possession winner. She transitions the ball well from the inside to the outside and finds a lot of the ball between the arcs. While on a couple of occasions she was forced to rush and kicked to an outnumber going forward, with any time or space she showed off her slick technical skill to hit up targets such as Pritchard with her sole inside 50, during the third term.

#7 Mikayla Nurse (Southport/Suns Academy)
Wing | 168cm | 19/09/2007

Stats: 23 disposals, 5 marks, 4 tackles, 3 clearances, 9 inside 50s

Nurse was arguably best on ground in the win with her run and carry a massive feature of her game off the wing. Though at times she closed in around stoppages to win the ball on a few occasions, she used her speed and skill down the outside to impact in a big way. Her explosive speed and knack to find space really stood out, taking the game on every chance she got. Nurse will be our Player Focus from the match.

#9 Annabelle Foat (Bond University/Suns Academy)
Midfielder | 164cm | 23/04/2007

Stats: 22 disposals, 9 tackles 4 clearances, 1 inside 50, 1 rebound 50

Tough as nails, Foat played as she always does, with a fierce defensive approach and clean hands out of the stoppage. She won her share of clearances via this method, and laid some massive tackle to keep the ball locked up. Is so clean and skilful by hand even under pressure, though what really impressed was he ability to spread to the outside not just remain at the coalface which was a big tick.

#12 Sunny Lappin (Southport/Suns Academy)
Midfielder | 170cm | 28/11/2007

Stats: 18 disposals, 1 mark, 7 tackles, 4 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

After a massive game one, Lappin still played a key role on the inside for the Suns Academy where she applied plenty of defensive pressure and fed the ball out to teammates. Her lightning quick hands particularly stood out, and she always looked to run when possible. Gave as good as she got defensively, and most of her clearances came in the first half helping get Queensland on top.

#13 Rhianna Ingram (Southport/Suns Academy)
Defender | 167cm | 20/10/2007

Stats: 20 disposals, 2 marks, 1 tackle, 2 clearances, 7 rebound 50s

Has become a rock solid, reliable defensive out of the back half who possesses great composure with ball in hand. She can win the ball via intercept mark or mopping up in defence, but generally is able to clear the danger and dispose of the ball well. Her clean skills by hand or foot stand out and while she does have the ability to take the game on, has a conservative approach which places an emphasis on ball retention for her side.

#14 Aiyana Pritchard (University of Queensland/Lions Academy)
Tall Forward | 175cm | 12/12/2008

Stats: 8 disposals, 2 marks, 1 tackle, 3 inside 50s, 3 goals

Produced big quarters at the bookend of the match with the opening goal less than 30 seconds into the match, then came up with the sealer by strolling into an open goal. A moment later she kicked her third from a set shot, making the most of her limited opportunities, though she did work up the ground at times getting the ball forward for her teammates.

#15 Mia Geere (Wilston Grange/Lions Academy)
Midfielder/Forward | 170cm | 08/04/2008

Stats: 17 disposals, 4 marks, 3 tackles, 1 clearance, 4 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 1 goal, 1 behind

Started on-ball and worked well around the ground to have an influence throughout the contest. Though she only won the one clearance on the day, got on the board early from a set shot after a 50m penalty put her within range. Geere had another chance that missed to the right and buzzed around being involved in handball chains, before showing her toughness with a fair hip-and-shoulder on Nalu Brothwell late in the game.

#26 Georja Davies (Southport/Suns Academy)
Key Defender/Ruck | 185cm | 17/01/2007

Stats: 19 disposals, 4 marks, 4 tackles, 15 hitouts, 3 clearances, 8 rebound 50s

Started in defence then rotated into the ruck later in the game to try and throw something difference at the Vic Country side. Did not see a lot of it in the first term, but worked into the game nicely and took a number of strong intercept marks – though dropped one of her more easier ones – and looked to switch play or create fast transition turning defence into offence.

VIC COUNTRY:

#7 Maggie Johnstone (GWV Rebels)
Midfielder/Forward | 171cm | 06/06/2007

Stats: 15 disposals, 4 marks, 1 tackle, 4 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 1 goal, 1 behind

Johnstone started on-ball and though she had a relatively quiet start by her standards – barring a massive intercept mark against Dekota Barron midway through the first term – really got going in the third quarter. From there she went forward for the last, clunking another fantastic contested marking back with the flight and putting her side in front for the first time in the game.

#9 Georgia Tyrrell (Geelong Falcons)
Midfielder | 168cm | 04/08/2007

Stats: 18 disposals, 1 mark, 10 tackles, 4 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

Lead from the front all game with her defensive intent and determination to win the ball at the coalface and get it to the outside. She would often do deft taps or team-first acts that made it easier for her teammates even if they did not earn her a personal stat. Her tackling was first-class as always and she kept bullocking her way around the ball. Was not quite as effective with ball in hand as she can often be, but was aiming for field position down the ground.

#12 Alice Cunnington (Dandenong Stingrays)
Wing | 174cm | 30/06/2008

Stats: 15 disposals, 5 marks, 3 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

Tooke a number really great marks in the first term and had 10 disposals and four marks by half-time. Though the bottom-ager was a little quieter in the second half, was still lively and rarely panicked even under pressure. A highlight came early with a huge run-down tackle on Stringer and kick forward. Just seemed to get into the right spots consistently.

#18 Stella Huxtable (Geelong Falcons)
Midfielder/Forward | 172cm | 22/12/2007

Stats: 21 disposals, 3 marks, 2 tackles, 4 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 1 behind

Started on the ball and never relented around the ground with Huxtable’s strength on the inside a feature throughout. She would cleanly take it and despite having an opponent hanging off her, still handball cleanly to a teammate. So difficult to bring down, the Falcons top-ager did a lot of great work around the coalface and did get a chance forward when marking in space but pushed the 40m set shot to the right for one behind.

#19 Ella Stoddart (Gippsland Power)
Defender | 174cm | 30/01/2007

Stats: 14 disposals, 2 marks, 1 clearance, 3 inside 50s

Showed great strength in the defensive 50 and an intent to get up the ground as well, often holding a high line and clearing it with power and precision. She’s had some up and down games with efficiency by foot, but she was elite in this one, hitting five of her six kicks effectively, and one particular passage saw her intercept in the middle and nail a pass to Jovie Skewes-Clinton inside 50.

#24 Nalu Brothwell (Dandenong Stingrays)
Forward | 174cm | 22/10/2007

Stats: 17 disposals, 1 mark, 3 tackles, 3 clearances, 1 inside 50, 1 behind

Looked dangerous at half-forward and though not having a lot of aerial opportunities – or accompanied by a wave of maroon jumpers when trying to go up – Brothwell cleaned up at ground level and kept putting pressure on the Queensland defence. The Stingrays tall set up a number of possible scoring options and almost kicked a great goal in the second term from a tight angle but it hit the bottom of the post.

#25 Mizuki Brothwell (Dandenong Stingrays)
Defender | 175cm | 22/10/2007

Stats: 14 disposals, 1 mark, 1 tackle, 1 inside 50, 5 rebound 50s

Up the other end to her twin sister, Brothwell was mostly able to bring the ball down against some talented contested marking players, and then drive the ball from defence cleanly. The tall back was often under pressure but still managed to get it to safety time and time again, following up well from any errors and putting her body on the line.

#27 Elsie Conroy (GWV Rebels)
Defender | 172cm | 19/08/2007

Stats: 13 disposals, 4 marks, 4 tackles, 7 rebound 50s

Playing on the last line, Conroy saved the day on numerous occasions and took some key marks and drove the ball outside the defensive 50. She has a penetrating kick and competes well in the air or at ground level with a terrific level of competitiveness. Has not looked out of place at the level since being called up to the squad following missing out on the Country hub, and is doing fantastic work in the back 50 one-on-one and when peeling off.

#32 Abby Hobson (Gippsland Power)
Forward | 174cm | 11/09/2007

Stats: 12 disposals, 3 marks, 3 inside 50s, 1 goal, 2 behinds

Kept presenting all game and kicked an important goal from 40m after taking a strong grab inside 50 in the second term. Hobson showed she can use both sides of her body if needed when under pressure and though she would finish with one goal from three scoring shots, still loomed as a threat for any opponent with her ability to read the ball, time her leads and provide a contest.