THE ALLIES were the dark horse of the 2026 AFL Women’s Under 18 Championships, finishing runners-up on the back of three wins outside their only defeat of the carnival to champions South Australia. A last-kick classic over Queensland in Round 4 proved the highlight, while bottom-age sensation Matilda Lange collected her side’s MVP award in one of the standout individual campaigns of the entire carnival.

RESULTS

The Allies finished the national carnival with a 3-1 record, placing second overall.

Round 1: Allies 8.8 (56) def. Vic Country 5.8 (38) – Blacktown International Sportspark

The Allies booted the last four goals of the match to overrun Vic Country in the final term, opening the carnival with an 18-point win.

Round 2: South Australia 5.7 (37) def. Allies 3.10 (28) – Alberton Oval

The Allies’ undefeated start came to an end against the eventual champions, going down by nine points in a tight arm wrestle at Alberton Oval.

Round 4: Allies 8.10 (58) def. Queensland 8.8 (56) – Brighton Homes Arena

In the best contest of the carnival, Lolita Savala slotted the match-winning set shot moments before the final siren to snatch a two-point win.

Round 5: Allies 8.12 (60) def. Western Australia 4.7 (31) – Shepley Oval

The Allies kicked six goals to two after quarter time to close out the carnival with a 29-point win, securing second spot overall.

MVP

Matilda Lange (Tasmania Devils)
Midfielder | 166cm | 30/01/2009

Stats: 21.2 disposals, 2.8 marks, 4.0 tackles, 6.8 clearances, 5.0 inside 50s, 2.0 rebound 50s, 0.8 goals

A bottom-ager already touted as a top-five prospect for the 2027 draft, Lange’s dominance through the midfield across every appearance made her one of the standout performers of the entire carnival, her clearance work regularly setting up teammates inside 50. Her MVP performance caps a campaign that will have recruiters rubbing their hands together over her potential 12 months out from her draft year.

KEY PLAYERS

Charlotte Tidemann (Sydney Swans Academy)
Defender/Wing | 169cm | 08/08/2008

Stats: 16.5 disposals, 3.0 marks, 5.2 tackles, 1.0 clearances, 3.5 inside 50s, 4.2 rebound 50s

One of the Allies’ most consistent performers, Tidemann’s rebound 50 numbers were the best of any player in the side, repeatedly turning defence into attack, while still finding time to push forward and create scoring opportunities. Her form was rewarded with selection at half-back in the All-Australian team.

Frances Walsh (Sydney Swans Academy)
Wing | 173cm | 30/03/2008

Stats: 16.2 disposals, 2.8 marks, 3.2 tackles, 2.2 inside 50s, 1.2 rebound 50s

The Swans Academy member’s incredible top-age campaign rolled on through the national carnival. Walsh’s class off a wing was on show every week, her clean hands and composure under pressure a constant for the side. She was rewarded with selection in the role for the All-Australian team.

Ashleigh Barlow (Sydney Swans Academy)
Defender | 174cm | 06/06/2008

Stats: 12.2 disposals, 1.8 marks, 3.8 tackles, 0.5 clearances, 1.8 rebound 50s

A tough, accountable defender, Barlow’s tackle pressure was among the best of any player in the backline, giving the Allies a reliable stopper across every game of the carnival. That, along with her ability to provide offensive drive resulted in Barlow earning All-Australian selection at centre half-back.

Zoe Curry (GWS Giants Academy)
Midfielder/Forward | 172cm | 09/10/2008

Stats: 20.7 disposals, 2.3 marks, 5.3 tackles, 5.3 clearances, 3.0 inside 50s, 3.0 rebound 50s, 0.3 goals

Missing just one game, Curry was arguably the Allies’ second-best performer of the carnival behind only Lange herself which was reflected in her All-Australian selection on-ball. Curry’s elite clearance and disposal numbers underlining a genuinely dominant campaign through the midfield.

Aurelia Russell (Sydney Swans Academy)
Midfielder | 160cm | 03/12/2008

Stats: 15.8 disposals, 1.5 marks, 4.0 tackles, 3.0 clearances, 2.0 inside 50s, 0.8 rebound 50s

A shining star who continues to rise, Russell’s clearance numbers trailed only Lange and Curry among Allies players, giving the side a genuine three-pronged threat through the middle. The Swans Academy member received a well-earned place on the interchange for the All-Australian side.

Morgan Stevens (GWS Giants Academy)
Defender/Ruck | 177cm | 13/08/2008

Stats: 11.5 disposals, 2.8 marks, 1.8 tackles, 4.0 hitouts, 0.2 clearances, 0.5 inside 50s, 3.2 rebound 50s

An athletic freak, Stevens’ versatility between the ruck and a tall defensive role gave the side genuine flexibility, with her intercept marking a persistent weapon. Stevens has a huge vertical leap and is both quick and agile making her a valuable player in both roles, earning All-Australian selection on the interchange.

Evie Bowie (Sydney Swans Academy)
Midfielder/Forward | 170cm | 31/12/2008

Stats: 15.8 disposals, 2.8 marks, 4.0 tackles, 1.8 clearances, 2.5 inside 50s, 1.5 rebound 50s, 0.2 goals

A genuine two-way threat, Bowie’s tackle pressure combined with her ability to hit the scoreboard made her one of the most well-rounded performers in the Allies’ side. She showed she was capable of extracting the ball in close, and also working to the outside and showcasing her aerial ability as well.

Evie Ward (Tasmania Devils)
Utility | 172cm | 29/10/2008

Stats: 15.0 disposals, 1.0 marks, 3.2 tackles, 1.0 clearances, 2.5 inside 50s, 1.5 rebound 50s

A consistent ball-user across the carnival, Ward’s ability to drive the ball from defensive 50 gave the Allies a reliable outlet under pressure in every match she played. Capable of rolling into any position, Ward has developed into a genuine utility.

Majella Day (GWS Giants Academy)
Forward | 177cm | 11/03/2008

Stats: 8.5 disposals, 2.8 marks, 1.2 tackles, 1.2 inside 50s, 1.5 goals

The Allies’ leading goalkicker across the carnival, Day’s clean overhead marking and craft in front of goal made her a persistent problem for opposition defences, headlined by a six-goal carnival haul. By her lofty standards she left a few majors out there, but was still a real threat inside 50.

Rose Bell (Murray Bushrangers)
Forward | 171cm | 18/03/2008

Stats: 11.0 disposals, 3.5 marks, 3.5 tackles, 0.8 clearances, 0.8 inside 50s, 1.5 rebound 50s, 0.8 goals

A strong overhead mark with genuine scoreboard impact, Bell’s marking numbers were among the best of any Allies player, adding another scoring option to complement Day inside 50.

FUTURE STARS

The Allies’ bottom-age crop was headlined by a host of young guns who offered genuine signs for the 2027 carnival.

Layla May (Northern Territory Academy)
Forward | 163cm | 14/05/2009

Stats: 8.8 disposals, 1.2 marks, 4.5 tackles, 3.0 inside 50s, 0.5 rebound 50s

A tenacious bottom-ager who played every game of the carnival, May’s tackle numbers and forward-half impact belied her slight frame, repeatedly winning the ball back for the Allies at ground level.

Peggy Rock (Northern Territory Academy)
Forward/Midfielder | 170cm | 20/07/2009

Stats: 12.0 disposals, 1.3 marks, 3.0 tackles, 1.0 clearances, 1.0 inside 50s, 0.7 goals

A genuine bright spot for the Northern Territory contingent, Rock’s disposal numbers were among the best of any bottom-ager in the squad, her scoreboard impact a bonus across her three appearances.

Evie Henley (GWS Giants Academy)
Midfielder/Forward | 172cm | 13/07/2009

Stats: 10.7 disposals, 1.7 marks, 1.0 tackles, 2.0 clearances, 1.3 inside 50s, 0.7 rebound 50s

A bottom-ager with genuine stoppage craft, Henley’s clearance work across her three appearances was among the best of any young Allies player, hinting at a bigger midfield role once she reaches her top-age season.

Lolita Savala (Sydney Swans Academy)
Forward/Ruck | 182cm | 21/04/2009

Stats: 5.0 disposals, 1.0 marks, 1.2 tackles, 3.0 hitouts, 0.8 clearances, 0.8 inside 50s

Savala’s carnival will be remembered for one moment above all else, slotting the match-winning set shot after the siren to defeat Queensland in Round 4. A tall who splits time between the ruck and forwardline, her big-game composure as a bottom-ager marks her as one to watch.