REIGNING back-to-back premier Oakleigh Chargers’ dream of a history-making three-peat was dashed over the weekend when they went down to Dandenong Stingrays in the preliminary final, but it did not overwrite another sensational season from the region.

SEASON 2025

SNAPSHOT

Played: 14
Won: 11
Lost: 3

BEST PERFORMANCE

Round 2: def. Eastern Ranges by 1 point

Oakleigh Chargers had far bigger victories, but rarely does Oakleigh have to work back from the brink of defeat in challenging conditions against an equally talented side. Trailing by as much as 15 points early in the fourth quarter, the Chargers booted two late goals with a late behind to Bailee Martin handing them the win in sensational circumstances. Martin booted 4.3 in the match, while Chloe Bown (35 disposals) had a day out.

DRAFT PROSPECTS

NATIONAL DRAFT COMBINE

Chloe Bown (Kew Comets)
Midfielder | 173cm | 20/12/2007

Stats [13 games]: 29.2 disposals, 4.6 marks, 5.7 tackles, 5.7 clearances, 7.1 inside 50s, 4 goals

The star midfielder had one of the best seasons of any top-age talent, racking up the ball at will not just for Oakleigh, but Vic Metro as well. The Metro co-captain won her state’s MVP award as well as the overall national carnival best and fairest, and has proven herself as one of the best prospects in this year’s AFLW Draft. A sensational all-round talent who should be the first name off the board from Victoria.

Zara Neuwirth (Kew Coments)
Key Defender | 183cm | 06/02/2007

Stats [13 games]: 9.8 disposals, 1.8 marks, 2.8 tackles, 3.7 rebound 50s

A reliable key defender who had two of her biggest ever games in the last two rounds, going out with a bang and showing she can provide offensive drive with her natural defensive instincts. Athletic with a great jump and a long reach, she makes life difficult for opposition forwards. One of the best shutdown keys in the draft, she has developed nicely in her top-age campaign to add that touch of flair.

Chloe Thorn (Blackburn)
Utility | 167cm | 07/09/2007

Stats [12 games]: 17.1 disposals, 1.8 marks, 6.7 tackles, 1.6 clearances, 2.9 inside 50s, 3.2 rebound 50s, 2 goals

Put the Oakleigh skipper on any line and she will do a job. Thorn started the year in defence, then rotated through the middle, and even had a few games up forward late, with her pressure and strength around the ball terrific. She has good skills and never takes a backwards step, with a fierce approach to every contest. Leads by example, can take the game on and is tough as nails. Another really consistent player.

STATE DRAFT COMBINE

Nil.

FUTURE PROSPECTS

Oakleigh is headlined by goalkicking superstar Bailee Martin who looms as the top Victorian in next year’s draft, if not the overall number one pick. She kicked bags for fun and it took until the preliminary final for an opponent to keep her to under three majors (one goal) as had it not been for her games off, she would have soared past 50 goals in the Coates Talent League Girls season.

Outside of Martin, Allies-tied Giants Academy member Zoe Curry projects as a top-end talent, with her strength and vision among her best assets. She was a key member of the Allies squad at the national championships, while providing a target up forward, and when at the stoppages.

The Chargers have a handful of other eye-catching bottom-agers with wing duo Isabelle Godfrey and Leni Lockyer both providing some hard-running on the outside. The latter is eligible to Collingwood as a father-daughter, with her family ties coming through 227-game Magpie, Tarkyn who is currently the National Academy head coach.

Another talented bottom-age prospect is inside midfielder Isabella Mazzei who is tough as nails and very clean at the coalface. Molly Phillips and Ava Philpin are two other 2008-born prospects just to note down, both having provided great run and carry at different points in the season.

Casting an eye to the 2027 AFLW Draft crop, and Bown’s younger sister Scarlett was remarkable in her first season, booting 24 goals to play second tall forward to Martin. She and rotating ruck/forward Cleo Barbakas loom as highly talented prospects in two year’s time, while Grace Sharkie (12 games), Annabelle Roberts (seven), Ruby Douglas (six) and Lily Parker (five) all got quality minutes throughout the season.