DESPITE finishing 10th overall on the Coates Talent League Girls ladder, Northern Knights got the opportunity to play in the metropolitan finals series, and while 2025 did not quite have the success hoped from a win-loss perspective, the Knights have a number of top-age draft prospects.

SEASON 2025

SNAPSHOT

Played: 14
Won: 5
Lost: 9

BEST PERFORMANCE

Round 3: def. Bendigo Pioneers by 73 points

Northern Knights flexed their muscles up at Queen Elizabeth Oval with a dominant 73-point victory, producing 27 scoring shots to four, and going from 6.12 in the first half to shooting 8.1 in the second. Olivia Gorman and Scarlett Johnson were huge, while Olivia Jesser and Phoebe Hargreaves booted three goals each.

DRAFT PROSPECTS

NATIONAL DRAFT COMBINE

Olivia Gorman (Diamond Creek)
Midfielder | 168cm | 25/10/2007

Stats [9 games]: 24.0 disposals, 3.6 marks, 4.7 tackles, 5.9 clearances, 3.1 inside 50s, 1.0 rebound 50s, 5 goals

A really consistent season from the contested ball-winning midfielder who has a point of difference with heat neat skills when transferring from the outside. Always a strong clearance winner, Gorman worked on her outside game to have more influence exiting stoppages and setting up scoring chains, even resting up forward to be a distributor at times and booting five goals from nine games. Earned her spot in a Vic Metro stacked midfield, too.

Marlo Graham (Parkside)
Midfielder/Forward | 163cm | 15/11/2007

Stats [5 games]: 27.4 disposals, 3.4 marks, 6.2 tackles, 5.2 clearances, 4.0 inside 50s, 2.6 rebound 50s, 3 goals

Unfortunately injury played a part in a frustrating year for Graham who when she was one the park was sensational. Her work through the middle and then when forward really caught the eye, and she was clean and strong, punching above her weight. Good overhead for a 163cm player, Graham is a natural leader and whether she plays inside or outside, she just knows where to be and what to do at all times. Not afraid to take the game on as well.

Scarlett Johnson (Eltham)
Wing/Defender | 175cm | 26/11/2007

Stats [12 games]: 23.8 disposals, 6.2 marks, 5.0 tackles, 1.5 clearances, 3.4 inside 50s, 3.8 rebound 50s, 7 goals

A ridiculous year from a former forward who showed plenty of talent as a bottom-ager, but blitzed her top-age season in a new wing/defensive role. Going back inside 50 for the final round, Johnson showed she still had what it took by booting four goals, but her running capacity, athletic traits and skills really stand out. Has all the hallmarks to be a genuine star, and 2025 has been enormous for the All-Australian and natural footballer.

STATE DRAFT COMBINE

Isobella Hishongwa-Gibb (Brunswick)
Ruck | 181cm | 27/07/2007

Stats [12 games]: 11.0 disposals, 2.8 marks, 26.3 hitouts, 2.6 tackles, 0.9 clearances, 2.0 inside 50s, 1 goal

The athletic tall had her moments throughout the year showing her craft as a number one ruck, while being able to rest up either end. She competes aerially and has got more involved this season with more impact for a sustained time in 2025. Her follow-up work and ground coverage lifted, and while she is still more of a long-term prospect, has some exciting traits that earned her a State Draft Combine invitation.

FUTURE PROSPECTS

Northern Knights have a host of hard-running prospects for 2026, headlined by the explosive Maddison Meagher. Able to play off a wing or half-back, Meagher has different speed gears to the rest of the competition, and once she gets goalside, it is game over for the opposition. She has become a feature of the Knights side along with a number of other 2008-born prospects.

Alli Allen, Somer McCormack and Grace Farah are the three ball-winners who have featured the most prominently, while ruck Ivy Ryan will take over the number one role from Hishongwa-Gibb next season. Lola Stone and Scarlett Fitzpatrick have also been able to gain valuable experience. Of the Futures crop, wing Dakota Edmonds looks a promising type, while incredibly the Knights got to blood 2010-born Deena Gerges for a game and she looked ready from day one.