WHILE the 2025 AFL National Future Girls showcase match gave an insight into next year’s AFLW Draft crop, there were still plenty of players with talent who missed out be it through injury or non-selection. We take a look at those who either would have played if fit, or were unlucky to just miss the final cut for the clash.

This second article will take a look at other names who were among the many unlucky to miss out on making the squad.

Charlee Brooksby (Norwood/South Australia)
Defender/Wing | 171cm | 26/01/2008

The sister of Port Adelaide’s Molly, Brooksby provides similar run and carry out of the back half and can play on a wing or half-back with her offensive abilities ridiculously high. While defensively she is still building, Brooksby is the type of player teammates want to get the ball in the hands of as she will usually make good decisions, and is not afraid to risk that 45-kick to open the play up. She also covers the ground well and can be involved in multiple possession in a chain.

Heidi de Saxe (Swans Academy/NSW-ACT)
Midfielder/Forward | 164cm | 17/04/2008

The AFL Sydney Women’s Premier Division Rising Star for 2025, de Saxe has had a wonderful year for North Shore Bombers after starting the season promisingly for the Sydney Swans Academy prior to injury. A tough inside midfielder, de Saxe has the senior experience and will face off in a grand final this weekend, though the talented bottom-ager can also play as a small forward. She is not afraid to throw her body on the line and can win the first, second or third possessions to get the ball forward.

Julia Faulkner (Woodville-West Torrens/South Australia)
Midfielder/Forward | 163cm | 06/05/2008

Definitely one of the most unlucky players not to be named in the Under 17 Futures squad, few have cleaner hands than Faulkner, and she is very good in traffic. While largely playing forward at times due to the strength of both the Eagles and South Australian midfields, when she went on-ball she had an impact. Great defensively, Faulkner uses the ball well and is creative, while still being able to burst out of stoppages and impact with ball in hand going inside 50.

Georgia Garlick (Bendigo Pioneers/Vic Country)
Defender/Midfielder | 169cm | 01/07/2008

A smooth-moving prospect who has played in a variety of positions, the left-footer is still developing areas of her game, but has a nice technique on her kicking and will risk passes in order to open the game up. She can play up on a wing or on-ball where she spent time throughout the season for the Pioneers, and is as tough as anyone else going around. With further development over the preseason, Garlick could be one of the big improvers in 2026 and definitely one to watch.

Scarlett Marsh (Dandenong Stingrays/Vic Country)
Defender | 162cm | 03/04/2007

Marsh is a highly skilled, damaging defender who is a high-risk, high-reward player with her kicking. She will look into the corridor if the option is there, tuck the ball under the arm and run, or link up through hands to break lines. One of the more potent users by foot, Marsh has had a big bottom-age year and is another player who should be considered among the better talents particularly out of the back half. Had a big preliminary final the weekend before.

Isabella Mazzei (Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro)
Midfielder | 170cm | 06/06/2008

Has hardly put a foot wrong all year in an ultra-strong midfield, Mazzei is one of the cleanest players going around, and throws herself at every contest. Her final execution like a few here could use some work, but her best role is on the inside feeding the ball out to teammates. At 170cm, Mazzei is a good size for a midfielder, and her consistency throughout the year is undeniable. The bottom-ager has had a ripping year, and alongside Zoe Curry will be quite the one-two inside punch for Coates Talent League sides next year.

Lily Milner (Gippsland Power/Vic Metro)
Utility | 172cm | 25/01/2008

Another player really stiff not to make the Futures quad, Milner has proven herself at state level when representing the Vic Country Under 16s. Able to play across all three lines, she moves well and can be impactful when going forward. Like Garlick, Milner’s technique is terrific and it is just refining the efficiency a touch more, but the Gippsland Power prospect stands at 172cm and is a tenacious tackler. Would imagine she is comfortably in that top 30 or so group.

Lacey Nihill (Bendigo Pioneers/Vic Country)
Utility | 172cm | 01/05/2008

One of the most consistent players throughout the Coates Talent League Girls level, Nihill took a further step forward from her double bottom-age campaign and averaged 22.1 disposals, 4.8 marks, 5.1 tackles, 3.6 clearances, 3.1 inside 50s and 2.1 rebound 50s. It summed up Nihill as a really well-rounded player who can win the inside or outside ball, and have a say both offensively and defensively. Next year will be fascinating to see if she locks into that on-ball role, or where she will play for Vic Country.

Tayla Olivieri (Western Jets/Vic Metro)
Midfielder | 160cm | 14/02/2008

Speaking of consistency, Olivieri was essentially Metro’s ‘Nihill’ in the sense that when she got going, she hardly played a bad game. A fierce inside midfielder who moved well and extracted the ball from the coal face, Olivieri was sensational for the Jets in wins or losses. Her footskills are the main improvement for her in the top-age season, but she drives the legs, and averaged 19.0 disposals, 8.9 tackles, 5.6 clearances, 2.9 inside 50s and booted five goals from the midfield.

Hannah Phillips (Giants Academy/NSW-ACT)
Defender | 168cm | 13/06/2008

Given the volume of Giants Academy prospects making the Futures squad, it was always going to be highly unlikely anyone outside the obvious names got in. It is worth highlighting Phillips as a name to watch for 2026 because she is a strong defender who is great one-on-one for her size at 168cm and can play on a multitude of opponents. Watch for her to pair up well with Morgan Stevens in 2026 for the orange team and will do a role each week while providing important drive out of defence.

Isla Tucker (Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro)
Defender | 168cm | 11/07/2008

The Sandringham running defender racked up a lot of the ball from kickouts, but also mopped up time and time again. One of those all-round ‘neat’ players who uses the ball well, places a high emphasis on ball retention and has some nice run and carry elements, Tucker is developing nicely at the Dragons. Another year and potentially some midfield minutes might see her go to another level, but she does play the rebounding role well, and is a safe choice with ball in hand.

Chloe Williams (Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro)
Defender/Wing | 175cm | 23/04/2008

Williams absolutely would have been in the Under 17 Futures squad had it not been for a late season anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. While most would assume there’s no way anyone with that injury would make the Futures squad, it has been done in the past with Ava Usher the most recent and perfect example. In saying that, Williams will miss most of the year in 2026, though her talent is undeniable in the air or by foot, and she has the potential to explode when fit. Will be great value for a club willing to take a punt on her in 12 months time.

Lara Williams (Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro)
Forward/Defender | 169cm | 29/08/2008

Another player who is probably the victim of just being in a really good side, Williams has transformed mid-season from a clever forward into a running defender. She uses the ball well, takes the game on and has great footy IQ that allows her to position herself in the right spots to intercept. A really well-balanced profile, though is best utilised as that outside ball-winner with the ability to hit targets on the move and make decisions quickly.