AFTER a couple of lean years, the All Stars side which had a new initiative of including bottom-agers got over the top of the AFLW National Academy by four points at Dingley on Sunday. Piling on the first four goals of the match, the All Stars looked in complete control, and while the class of the Academy kept shining through at times, ultimately the underdogs held on to win in a thrilling contest, 9.12 (66) to 9.8 (62).

The concept of an exhibition match has been in place for a number of years, with the All Stars side made up of other over-age or top-age prospects who were seen as the ‘next best’ outside the National Academy. The only other time an All Stars side has beaten a National Academy team was at Marvel Stadium back in 2023, though that featured a stack of mature-age talent and was officially an ‘Under 23s’ side. In the past two years since focusing purely on either top-age or over-age prospects, the Academy has had the All Stars’ number comfortably.

In light of that fact, the AFL changed the goalposts so to speak, allowing five of the best bottom-age prospects to run out for the All Stars, while a few of the ‘next best’ players who would normally be injury replacement players for the Academy as they were against Carlton VFLW earlier in the year, played for the All Stars team to provide further balance.

The game itself was played in picture perfect conditions, and the All Stars raced out of the blocks wiht eight scoring shots before the Academy had even blinked. Five of those came in the opening seven minutes, though Matilda Lange – arguably the pick one favourite for 2027 – was the only one to split the big sticks. They had all the play, but were 1.4, with Swans Academy winger Frances Walsh looking dangerous on the outside kicking two early behinds, while Eastern Ranges captain Emily Rankin and Lions Academy midfielder Molly Ferguson were strong on the inside.

The forward half dominance would pay off as Claremont bottom-ager Hannah Seaborn would kick off a run of three goals, with Swans Academy tall Ava Horneman (1.3 for the game) and usual onballer/forward turned wing/forward Carmela Perri also converted majors. Fortunately for the Academy, Scout Semple – who was named MVP in the win over Carlton VFLW – broke the ice with a nice finish.

Trailing by 21 points at the first break, the run and carry of Charlotte Tidemann out of defence and the toughness of Emma Charlton to make good decisions with ball in hand around the contest got the Academy back into the contest. Majella Day was seriously threatening, as she started to get plenty of looks on goal and controlling the airways often in mismatches, while Bailee Martin also kicked her first in her return game from injury.

By half-time, the Academy had cut the deficit to nine points and were in the game, though were still getting comfortably beaten around the ball (15-8 clearances) despite a clear hitout differential (21-12) with Sophie White having the better of the versatile Ella Gibson, though the latter would drift forward and kick a nice goal in the third term. Walsh and Lange (12 disposals apiece) and Rankin (11 disposals, four clearances) were the prime movers for the All-Stars.

Tidemann (13 disposals, five rebound 50s) had just about doubled the next highest Academy player with Charlton, Emily Mableson and Evie Ward all on seven touches. However it was injury replacement wing/defender Grace McIntyre who was posing a few problems, taking a number of marks on the last line, and applying some huge tackles, while Mableson and Morgan Stevens were composed behind the ball.

The third term saw the All Stars peppering the goals early without success, and when Harlee McIlwain – who had been limited for opportunities and just registered one touch in the first half – got onto one, the Academy looked back in business. She would fire in the second half to keep the Academy in it, booting three of her side’s five majors, while clunking four marks from nine disposals in a memorable performance.

However the third term also saw how much damage Maddison Meagher can do with limited disposals, getting on the end of a turnover and burning off her opponent Mableson who had moved to a wing to slot a brilliant goal and get her side up and about. While Day responded no more than 90 seconds later up the other end, Lange and then Gibson – with the last kick of the term – ensured the All Stars took a very healthy 18-point lead into the final quarter.

As if in reverse from the third term, it was the Academy who peppered the goals early with minimal success, booting three straight behinds – two from Day – before McIlwain kicked her second. She would convert a third not long after, though Ava Bilyk made sure the margin stayed at double-digits with a great strike inbetween.

The Academy continued to push hard late and even cut the deficit back to within eight points, and the pressure had quickly ramped up. Both sides were rushing shots on goal or trying to hack the ball forward with the perceived pressure, often forcing turnovers. However the All Stars managed to chew vital minutes off the clock and while a few likely goal-scoring chances went begging later, Central District’s Miyu Endersby booted one with the last kick of the game just seconds before the siren sounded, making the final margin a narrow four points.

Swans Academy teammates Walsh (23 disposals, six marks, three tackles, four inside 50s and four rebound 50s) and Tidemann (23 disposals, three marks, four tackles, two inside 50s and nine rebound 50s) would win their side’s respective MVPs, while Ranges teammates turned opponents Rankin (23 disposals, four tackles, four clearances and four inside 50s) and Semple (17 disposals, four marks, three tackles, three clearances, three inside 50s and a goal) were also amongst the best.

For the All Stars, Bilyk (19 disposals, six marks, four inside 50s and 1.2) showed her class at times, as did Ferguson (19 disposals, four tackles, two inside 50s, two rebound 50s and a goa), while the bottom-age duo of Lange (two goals from 18 disposals) and Lani Cocks (17 disposals, two inside 50s and four rebound 50s) were strong too. Horneman had her chances on goal, as South Adelaide’s Layla Vizgaudis also showed a mix of offensive and defensive traits, having a promising first half in particular.

For the Academy, Vizgaudis’ South Adelaide teammate Charlton (22 disposals, three marks, seven tackles, four clearances and three inside 50s) was an eye-catcher as Mableson (17 disposals, five tackles, two inside50s and three rebound 50s) worked into the game nicely rolling from the back 50 to the wing. Aiyana Pritchard (12 disposals, four marks, three tackles and five inside 50s) provides plenty of headaches for the opposition with her athleticism, while McIntyre was strong in defence, clunking five marks and laying four tackles from 12 disposals.

The only sour note to come out of what was otherwise a brilliant contest was the ankle injury to Lions Academy utility Mia Geere. She went down in the opening quarter and was in a moon boot by game’s end, a disappointing result for the National Academy member and Queensland star a week out from the first national carnival game.

AFLW ACADEMY 1.1 | 4.2 | 6.3 | 9.8 (62)
ALL STARS 4.4 | 5.5 | 8.9 | 9.12 (66)

GOALS:
AFLW Academy: H. McIlwain 3, M. Day 2, S. Semple, L. Strachan, B. Martin, M. Endersby
All Stars: M. Lange 2, A. Bilyk, M. Fergson, A. Horneman, E. Gibson, M. Meagher, C. Perri, H. Seaborn

RMC BEST:
AFLW Academy: C. Tidemann, E. Charlton, S. Semple, M. Day, A. Pritchard
All Stars: F. Walsh, M. Lange, A. Bilyk, E. Rankin, M. Ferguson