TEAM Spears came up trumps in Saturday’s NTFL Under 18 Futures Girls showcase game at TIO Stadium. Kicking off All-Star weekend with a high-paced contest, the Spears led at every break and turned a four-point advantage into their 21-point victory during the fourth quarter. We took note of some of the top performers from either side.

>> RESULTS: 2026 NTFL All-Star Saturday

HEAT 1.0 | 4.1 | 6.1 | 7.3 (45)
SPEARS 3.5 | 4.5 | 6.5 | 10.6 (66)

GOALS:
Heat: C. Fejo 2, A. Lake 2, T. John-Forrest, R. Ryan, M. Smith
Spears: C. Johnston 5, A. Ward 2, A. Ah Fat, A. McGarvie, S. Rankine

BEST:
Heat: T. John-Forrest, G. Anstess, M. Smith, C. Fejo, D. Daly, K. Pilkie
Spears: A. Quinn, K. Ilett, C. Johnston, B. Akers, H. Lacey, A. Bucklar

BOG:
Heat: Taniesha John-Forrest (Tiwi Bombers)
Spears: Amber Quinn (Nightcliff)

>> SCOUTING NOTES: NTFL Under 18 Futures Boys

TEAM HEAT:

#2 Akia-Marie Lake
Small Forward

One of two multiple goalkickers for the Heat, Lake was electric with every touch. She attacked the loose ball at speed, showcasing great instincts and anticipation to part the seas inside forward 50. Lake’s crumbing ability led to both majors, in the first and third quarters, as she broke towards goal with confidence and dare. Few could lay a hand on her throughout the day.

#3 Taniesha John-Forrest
Small Forward/Wing

John-Forrest was named best on ground for the Heat after a performance which included attacking and defensive highlights. Above all, her speed was a go-to weapon with and without the ball. Whether taking on opponents or hunting them down with terrific tackle pressure, John-Forrest played with plenty of vigour. She also bagged a goal in the second quarter, swooping on an errant set shot in the pocket before cutting inside to checkside the ball home.

#7 Makenzy Smith
Midfielder/Forward

Smith had her magnet shuffled to both sides of midfield and up forward, and she proved up to the task. She produced the first clean centre break of the game and showed good strength over the loose ball. On the outside, Smith managed to find space around the ground as a marking option. Her lone goal for the game came during a one-on-one contest in the goalsquare, worrying her opponent as the ball bobbled before snatching it off the ground to convert.

#10 Keira Pilkie
Defender

Pilkie was under the pump from the get-go in Team Heat’s defence, but stood up to a difficult task. She started out with a clean intercept mark and took on the kick-in duties for her side, looking to gain metres before utilising her favoured left foot. While it was difficult to break the Spears’ wall at times, Pilkie kept trying to drive the ball forward and scrapped hard when it was in dispute.

#14 Grace Anstess
Midfielder/Defender

Anstess had claims on being the Heat’s best player on Saturday as she played a key hand both in midfield and defence. The co-captain played with great spirit, attacking the ball hard but making sure to celebrate both her teammates and the opposition. Her tackling and ability to prise the loose ball were terrific, along with the surge play she offered off half-back. There were times where she acted as a brick wall for the Heat, cutting off everything before slingshotting the ball forward.

#19 Miley Cunningham
Ruck/Key Forward

Cunningham produced some exciting passages in the ruck, especially during the first half. She showcased her athleticism in a well matched ruck battle, leaping high and keeping her feet to follow up at ground level. Her agility and willingness to surge the ball forward led to several forward 50 entries, and she ended up spending plenty of time in attack during the second half.

#29 Chanelle Fejo
Tall Forward

Fejo was the Heat’s attacking centrepiece, booting two goals and having plenty of play flow through her. She presented up the ground effectively, acting as a link piece as her side moved the ball inside 50. Fejo’s clean hands allowed her to mark from front position and she also finished well in open play. Her snap over the shoulder cut the margin to four points before half time, and she later stepped inside for another great finish in the third term.

TEAM SPEARS:

#4 Harmony Lacey
Forward/Midfielder

Lacey dipped into her bag of tricks and sold plenty of candy on Saturday, baulking the opposition countless times as she showed off her rugby background. She couldn’t quite finish off her good work to impact the scoreboard, but created plenty of forward 50 passages with great flair and dare. Lacey’s ability to take the game on caused headaches for the Heat defenders all day.

#5 Amber Quinn
Midfielder

Quinn was deservedly awarded Team Spears’ best on ground medal for a true captain’s performance. She set the standard in midfield and provided plenty of impetus on the way forward, running in waves to get the ball moving inside 50. Her repeat efforts kept her side on the front foot and she helped lock the ball in with good positioning behind the play. Quinn ran out the game strongly, popping up with several intercept marks to create repeat scoring opportunities.

#8 Layla May
Midfielder/Wing

May was right up there with co-captain Quinn during the first half, putting in a dominant showing on both sides of midfield. Her burst running and agility made her a ball winner who could hurt the opposition, bringing the ball from in to out. May was also hard at it on the defensive end with some big bumps and rugged efforts to win the loose balls, proving all-action while at her best.

#10 Kayla Ilett
Forward

Along with Lacey, Ilett was one of Team Spears’ most integral link players up forward. She often found space across half-forward and hardly fumbled her marks, showcasing similar composure when using the ball. Ilett’s class helped keep the play moving fluently and she had a chance to score in the final quarter, though her set shot landed in the lap of Angel Ahfat for an assist.

#11 Brylee Akers
Defender

Akers produced one of the game’s best defensive acts as she ran down the speedy John-Forrest inside defensive 50 late on. She was in the thick of things throughout the day, helping the Spears set up a formidable wall with her interception skills and attack on the ball. She got in the way of plenty of Heat attacks and duly sent the ball back on the rebound.

#24 Ashlin Bucklar
Tall Defender

In combination with Akers, Bucklar was solid as a rock down back. The 177cm prospect relieved pressure with her ability to intercept cleanly, taking marks off Team Heat kicks time and time again. Her strong set of hands and reading of the play oozed class as she proved difficult to beat throughout the day both in the air and at ground level. Full of composure.

#25 Jonita Kingsley
Ruck

One half of the starting ruck duel, Kingsley displayed promising athleticism throughout the game. She reacted swiftly to apply pressure when the ball was in her area and also scooped it up at ground level effortlessly for a tall player. Her ability to take ground through the corridor made her a threat outside of the ruck contests, showing great speed and intent to drive the play forward in bursts.

#30 Claira Johnston
Tall Forward

Johnston ended with a bag of five goals and proved a difficult matchup deep inside 50. She showed great footy smarts to position well one-on-one, reading the flight of the ball to either mark or snatch it off hands before looking towards goal. She peppered the big sticks when the ball came her way and generally finished well, although was keen to take each shot quickly.