AFTER a rocky start to the season, Northern Knights’ younger cohort joined the fight and the metropolitan side strung together a host of Talent League Girls victories. The Knights remained in finals contention right up until the penultimate round when they went down to Eastern Ranges, finishing just outside the post-season spots.

SEASON 2026

SNAPSHOT

Played: 14
Won: 5
Lost: 8
Drawn: 1

BEST PERFORMANCE

Round 7: def. Bendigo Pioneers by 68 points

Northern produced an old-fashioned thumping up at Queen Elizabeth Oval, having a whopping 30 scoring shots to seven and conceding just one late goal. Had accuracy been more of a factor the Knights could have won by a triple-digit margin, but the performance was impressive nonetheless. Somer McCormack (29 disposals, three marks, three tackles and two goals) and Maddison Meagher (25 disposals, four marks, four tackles and a goal) was outstanding, as Emily Webb (28 disposals, three marks, one goal) and Grace Robinson (25 disposals, four tackles) also stood out.

DRAFT PROSPECTS

NATIONAL DRAFT COMBINE

Alli Allen (Lower Plenty)
Defender | 172cm | 15/10/2008

Stats [10 games]: 20.5 disposals, 4.3 marks, 9.3 tackles, 1.3 clearances, 1.4 inside 50s, 3.0 rebound 50s, 2 goals

Allen was a member of Vic Metro’s summer hub coming into the season, but took her game to another level in 2026, earning a call-up to the All-Stars against the National Academy, then her state’s MVP and All-Australian honours despite missing a game. Courageous as they come with elite defensive pressure, Allen built on her behind the ball impact to get more aggressive and set up greater scoring opportunities forward of centre.

Maddison Meagher (Diamond Creek)
Wing | 164cm | 02/08/2008

Stats [10 games]: 17.8 disposals, 1.9 marks, 4.8 tackles, 1.4 clearances, 4.2 inside 50s, 2.1 rebound 50s, 6 goals

Her explosive speed and metres gained in the process have always been the two biggest weapons in Meagher’s arsenal. But the Northern Knights’ wing started to round out her overall profile in her top-age season, improving her final execution and also getting forward to impact the scoreboard more consistently. She impressed for both the Knights and Vic Metro and looms as a likely top 30 pick with even greater substance to accompany her flashes of brilliance.

STATE DRAFT COMBINE

Lola Stone (Heidelberg)
Wing/Forward | 172cm | 27/05/2008

Stats [11 games]: 15.7 disposals, 4.3 marks, 3.2 tackles, 1.2 clearances, 2.6 inside 50s, 0.7 rebound 50s, 8 goals

Enjoyed a really consistent season starting as a forward, then rolling onto a wing where she showed off her high running capacity. Stone’s knack for getting into the right spots and looking dangerous was evident, resulting in the top-ager making Vic Metro’s side. Her numbers leapt up from last season and her aerial prowess as well as all-round athletic base make her an intriguing player that clubs have kept tabs on.

FUTURE PROSPECTS

Northern Knights’ future prospect base largely centres around its incredible 2010-born crop that will ensure the metropolitan side is competitive in the years to come. Vic Metro Under 16s stars Grace Robinson and Deena Gerges lead the way. Robinson is a natural inside midfielder, while the taller Gerges can play on-ball or up forward. Milla Giardina looms as yet another exciting double bottom-ager while Ashley Denny also played nine games to establish herself in the team.

From a 2009-born group, Ayva Humphreys, Allegra Paoli and Olivia Divitcos were regulars, playing 13 of a possible 14 games throughout the year. Evie Scott became an important defensive cog for the Knights, with Dakota Edmonds and Cammryn Warke among a host of other bottom-agers who established themselves in Northern’s best side ahead of 2027.