BRISBANE Lions Academy is ready to regain its title as the top Northern Academy this season with the most successful eastern seaboard AFLW side’s pathway program prepares for a massive draft haul. After the Suns caught plenty of attention for their Academy depth over the last few years, it is now the Lions turn with a stack of draftable prospects in contention to be picked up.

LAST SEASON

Played: 4
Wins: 2
Losses: 2

Brisbane split its results last season with a dominant 57-point thrashing over Geelong Falcons at home, before securing a nail-biting 10-point win over Tasmania Devils as accuracy played a key part. They their went down to top three sides Eastern Ranges and Oakleigh Chargers to balance out the win-loss ledger.

FIXTURE

Round 1: vs. Brisbane Lions Academy | March 29 @ People First Stadium
Round 2: vs. GWS Giants Academy | April 11 @ Blacktown International Sportspark
Round 3: vs. Sydney Swans Academy | April 19 @ Brighton Homes Arena
Round 4: vs. Geelong Falcons | April 25 @ Avalon Airport Oval
Round 5: vs. Sandringham Dragons | May 3 @ South Pine Sporting Complex
Round 6: vs. Gippsland Power | May 10 @ La Trobe University
Round 7: vs. Eastern Ranges | May 17 @ Brighton Homes Arena

Like all the other Northern Academy sides, a round-robin between the four teams take place to kick off the year, but the Lions are the only ones who do not take on Tasmania. They face a mix of sides including two additional games at home, with the final match against reigning premiers Eastern Ranges one to watch. Expect the Lions to win most of the above given the strength and depth of the team.

KEY PLAYERS

The Brisbane Lions Academy has three National Academy members in the form of tall forwards, Aiyana Pritchard and Harlee McIlwain, and utility Mia Geere. Pritchard is the ridiculous athlete who can do just about anything, and with an elite athletics background will provide plenty of highlights this season. McIlwain combines an old school contested marking forward with a new age defensive pressure tall, applying as much work into her ground level game as in the air. Geere on the other hand has played just about everywhere with some outstanding athletic traits, but is just as damaging with ball in hand thanks to her skills and smarts.

Though those three headline the Academy, arguably the most unlucky player to miss out is tough inside ball-winner Molly Ferguson. With a well-rounded game, Ferguson is a plug-and-play stoppage expert who can link up with teammates and make good decisions wherever she goes. She along with the classy Zoe Petrides loom as two more top-end talents, while developing tall Ella Gibson, defender Sunny Brazier, wing Stella Scott and mid/forward Freya Ross are just a few more names to keep in mind.

The talent does not end in 2026 though, with Ameleia Murray an outstanding player with elite skills and ball-winning capabilities who headlines the 2027 draft crop. She and smart forward Edie Fraser have already represented Queensland at both Under 16s and Under 18s level last year. Not only are these two top-end talents, but the club-tied players roll in. Lucy Ashcroft (Marcus) and Olivia Brown (Jonathan) are both father-daughters, while Sierra Croad (Trent) is not a father-daughter to the Lions – instead Hawthorn and Fremantle – but is a member of the Academy.

PRESEASON DRAFT HOPES

While the bulk of the Lions talent is in its top and bottom-age crops, there are a few names to keep an eye out for if they start the season well. At the top of the list is Jemma Foley who past Queensland Talent Manager Mark Browning regarded as one of the most knowledgable players he has ever met. Foley is a rebounding defender with elite smarts and game sense, but missed the bulk of 2025 through injury.

Then there’s Isabella Levine who starred through the QAFLW last season to earn a call-up to the Lions Academy squad. The over-ager can be that tough inside ball-winner after a brilliant year with Morningside. The third to keep in mind is the ultra-athletic Lily Quigley who moved from the Giants Academy to Queensland and dominated the Preseason Testing, ensuring she kept her name around the mark.

SUMMARY

Brisbane Lions Academy has a bumper crop of talented players in 2026, with a mix of talls and smalls across the board. If the Lions can remain fit and healthy, there is no ceiling on their potential with the Talent League Girls competition set to be a great test for the Northern Academy side.