NEXT year’s AFLW Draft class put on a fitting showcase match that resulted in Team McKenzie getting up by seven points over Team Fleming at Windy Hill on Sunday. With a stack of talent across both sides, we took a look at some of the players who impressed on the representative stage.

TEAM FLEMING:

#1 Lily Whiteman (Sturt/South Australia)
Wing | 164cm | 14/05/2009

Stats: 21 disposals, 3 marks, 1 tackle, 3 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

The smooth-moving left-footer played off a wing as she had at the national championships and certainly held her own throughout the match. With a pair of quick hands and a knack for finding the ball inside and outside the contest, Whiteman buzzed around and provided an option in transition going forward. A well-rounded prospect out of Sturt in South Australia.

#3 Tiama Collard (Peel Thunder/Western Australia)
Forward/Midfielder | 164cm | 08/04/2009

Stats: 18 disposals, 3 marks, 2 tackles, 3 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 2 goals, 1 behind

While she had a delayed start to her bottom-age national carnival this year, the Peel Thunder talent gave a glimpse of what she is capable of in a quick burst of back-to-back goals in the opening four minutes of the second term. It gave her side some breathing room, and she continued to look dangerous each time she went near the pill, even working hard defensively when in midfield to rush a behind up the other end of the field.

#4 Luella Hall (Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro)
Defender | 172cm | 17/10/2009

Stats: 18 disposals, 2 marks, 3 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 1 behind

One of the fastest in the draft class, Hall spent more time off half-back but still added important run and carry between the arcs with her give-and-go and knack for opening up angles in transition on full display. Always looking for repeat possessions to build up her metres gained, Hall is a player who naturally breaks down opposition defensive zones.

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

Stats: 23 disposals, 4 marks, 8 tackles, 4 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 4 rebound 50s, 1 goal

Lange did not dissuade anyone of her pick one credentials with a damaging performance, particulary when through the midfield. She hit the scoreboard late in the first quarter to give Team Fleming the lead, and constantly looked like she was going to drag her side over the line. Working in tandem with Henley, Lange racked up the ball in tight, but used her athleticism to get it in space as well. Breaks tackles for fun, and works hard defensively as well, the full package.

#8 Tara Nieass (Suns Academy/Queensland)
Defender | 173cm | 14/03/2009

Stats: 17 disposals, 4 marks, 5 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s

Having played up both ends this year, Nieass found herself in defence and more than acquitted herself there. She leapt at the ball, created contests, then pressured at ground level once the ball hit the deck. Mopping up consistently in the defensive 50, she cleared well and played a key role in repelling Team McKenzie’s attacks, particularly during the middle two quarters whne the goals were under siege.

#10 Emma McCallum (Swans Academy/NSW-ACT)
Defender | 173cm | 13/03/2009

Stats: 19 disposals, 1 tackle, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50, 6 rebound 50s

Working alongside Nieass for the game in defence, McCallum was able to add composure and calmness to the defensive half. The Sydney Swans Academy talent played proactive football, remaining accountable while also finding her own ball and being a handball receive option. While at times under pressure she was forced to rush, overall held her own and was really solid throughout.

#14 Scarlett Bown (Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro)
Tall Forward | 179cm | 22/09/2009

Stats: 14 disposals, 2 marks, 1 tackle, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50, 1 goal, 2 behinds

The Oakleigh Chargers talent had a couple of likely chances at different stages, but finally booted one in the opening 30 seconds of quarter four right back on the goalline reading the ball well in the air. She set up the Lange goal after initially looking for the set shot, and provided a marking target inside 50 to work alongside the likes of Collins and Billie Hamilton.

#16 Evie Henley (Murray Bushrangers/Giants Academy/NSW-ACT)
Midfielder/Defender | 172cm | 13/07/2009

Stats: 27 disposals, 3 marks, 5 tackles, 5 clearances, 1 inside 50, 6 rebound 50s

Deserving of the MVP medal for her efforts, Henley further staked her claim as one to watch for next year, with a strong performance across multiple roles. Playing on-ball as well as in defence, Henley clunked a number of intercept marks, including a couple in the second term when her side was under pressure. She brought the same intensity to the ground, and always looks composed with ball in hand. Against the best of her draft class, Henley stood tall.

#18 Claudia Collins (Geelong Falcons/Vic Country)
Tall Forward | 176cm | 26/05/2009

Stats: 15 disposals, 3 marks, 3 tackles, 3 clearances, 1 inside 50, 1 goal, 1 behind

Having really developed into that smart forward, Collins continued her really strong backend to 2026 with a goal in the first 90 seconds and providing a link between midfield and attack. She pushed up the ground to provide a marking option, and set up numerous scoring chances for her side. Could have had two or three goals to her name, but a smother in the goalsuare and a spray across the face denied that.

#24 Jemma Andrews (Geelong Falcons/Vic Country)
Midfielder/Defender | 181cm | 28/09/2009

Stats: 15 disposals, 4 marks, 1 tackle, 1 clearance, 3 inside 50s

Collins’ teammate at the Falcons played on the inside, but found herself out on the wing more often than not where she was a marking target. As soon as her side won the ball, Andrews spread to space and got involved, and while at times her kicking was untidy, the penetration she got from her leg allows implied pressure on the opposition defenders. Strong overhead and around the coalface.

TEAM MCKENZIE:

#1 Elebertina Schuliga (Calder Cannons/Vic Metro)
Wing | 165cm | 17/02/2009

Stats: 12 disposals, 1 mark, 6 tackles, 1 clearance, 2 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

A high impact-per-possession player, Schuliga has the need for speed and brings the defensive pressure to accompany that speed. She locked down a wing role and had a customary multi-bounce run down the ground during the third term, while also setting up the all-important go-ahead goal to Annie Clish. Doesn’t have to win much of the ball to make a profound impact on the game.

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

Stats: 16 disposals, 1 mark, 5 tackles, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50, 2 rebound 50s, 1 behind

A real energiser bunny, the Northern Territory talent worked up and down the ground, looking lively in the front half and having some opportunities going forward. She laid five tackles and was always around the ball, providing a real crack in the heat of battle. She is quick and clean by hand, and not afraid to throw herself at the contest against bigger bodies too.

#5 Ameleia Murray (Lions Academy/Queensland)
Defender/Midfielder | 161cm | 13/09/2009

Stats: 14 disposals, 4 tackles, 2 clearances, 1 inside 50, 1 rebound 50

Spent the bulk of her time cruising off half-back while still having some stints on-ball, Murray is a player who teammates look to get the ball in the hands of. The Brisbane Lions Academy member was not as efficient as she often is by foot with a few errors, but her rustiness in that regard did not affect her ability to impact the game with some clever passes and some lovely hands in traffic.

#6 Perri Goulding (Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro)
Wing/Midfielder | 161cm | 05/07/2009

Stats: 13 disposals, 2 marks, 5 tackles, 3 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

Playing both outside and inside, Goulding was another who had a well-balanced game between attacking and defending with her running capacity and willingness to take grass on display. She did get caught holding the ball trying to fend off Maya Fuller at one stage, but Goulding also showed no fear, laying a huge tackle on Lange in the fourth term, bringing her down is no mean feat.

#7 Lani Cocks (Norwood/South Australia)
Midfielder/Defender | 162cm | 15/09/2009

Stats: 15 disposals, 4 tackles, 5 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

While a natural midfielder who can rack up the ball when in there full-time, Cocks showed what she can do rotating between the coalface and in defence, even taking a kickout at one stage early in the game. Once around the ball, she finds it with ease and was a pivotal part of the side’s coalface, showing busy hands and working in tandem with a similarly two-way running talent in Rock. Another top prospect for next season.

#10 Olivia Holmes (Gippsland Power/Vic Country)
Forward/Midfielder | 174cm | 08/08/2009

Stats: 18 disposals, 3 marks, 4 tackles, 4 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 1 behind

Holmes’ stocks have continued to rise throughout 2026, and that continued in the Futures game with an equal team-high 18 disposals and six inside 50s. Her aerial work was a highlight, and though her final execution by foot can still improve, Holmes’ ability to run-and-gun, break opposition defensive zones and put the ball into dangerous spots, was evident. Did her chances of a National Academy spot no harm.

#12 Asia Single (Suns Academy/Queensland)
Defender | 171cm | 11/10/2009

Stats: 18 disposals, 1 mark, 2 tackles, 2 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s

One of the better players out of Team McKenzie, Single is like her Suns Academy teammate and Futures opponent Nieass in the fact she has spent time at both ends this year. Deployed in defence for this one, Single rebounded out of the defensive half, and if it rebound numbers were counted from half-way, then she would have a fair few more than three. Effective by hand or foot, Single provided a handball receive option, while also competing well to find her own ball too.

#13 Peggy Rock (GWV Rebels/Northern Territory)
Forward/Midfielder | 170cm | 20/07/2009

Stats: 15 disposals, 5 marks, 8 tackles, 2 clearances, 1 inside 50, 1 goal

Rock adapts to any role she plays, and has acclimatised to that forward-midfield rotation. Her aggressive – but fair – nature, high-level energy and willingness to bleed for her side were still on display despite it being an exhibition game. Rock kicked a goal and pulled out another eye-catching celebration, then almost kicked a second major not long after but her shot was held up in the breeze and rushed across on the line. Her best work is done at ground level, but Rock was equally impressive in the air.

#14 Madeline Nuss (Sturt/South Australia)
Forward | 168cm | 04/02/2009

Stats: 6 disposals, 3 marks, 2 tackles, 1 inside 50, 2 goals

Nuss makes her touches count, so seeing a statline of six touches, but two goals, is all too common. If you give the Sturt speedster an inch, she’ll take a mile, and she just about ran a mile when getting goalside at half-forward with an open 50, streaming to the goalsquare to slam home the first of three last term goals for her side as they ran over the top of Team Fleming. Competitive in the air, and ultra-damaging once the ball hits the deck.

#15 Holly Clough (Calder Cannons/Vic Metro)
Key Forward | 184cm | 20/01/2009

Stats: 11 disposals, 1 mark, 6 tackles, 4 inside 50s, 1 goal, 1 behind

With the game on the line, Clough stepped it up a notch, recording nine of her 11 disposals in the second half. Clough provides a tall marking target, but she is good below her knees for her size, and kicked the sealer midway through the final term when getting to the goalsquare. She was the one who set up Nuss a few minutes earlier, and should have had a second major to her name right at the start of the game when she ran into an open goal but missed to the left.

#19 Maya Duane (Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro)
Defender/Midfielder | 180cm | 16/03/2009

Stats: 14 disposals, 4 marks, 1 tackle, 2 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s

Denied one of great junior marks of the year when a teammate gave away a push in the marking contest to hand Collard a goal, Duane showed off her full bag of tricks in the win. A player who has spent time across each third of the ground, the Sandringham Dragon was a marking threat each time the ball went deep inside her defensive 50, and she used her penetrating kick to clear the danger. Duane started on-ball in the fourth term and her initial booming kick from the defensive half, set in motion the play that lead to the Nuss goal.

#24 Cleo Barbakas (Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro)
Ruck/Forward | 182cm | 01/07/2009

Stats: 17 disposals, 3 marks, 4 tackles, 8 hitouts, 2 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

Awarded Team McKenzie’s MVP in an even decision, Barbakas was terrific when in the ruck, making the most of an undersized Team Fleming. The way she takes the ball out of the stoppage means she rarely has huge hitout numbers, but Barbakas acts as that “fourth midfielder” and has the athleticism which is the envy of most smaller players. Had a shot on goal from just inside the 50 but was touched on the way through, while also trying hard defensively and intercepting errant long kicks. A promising player who has a big job coming up in Saturday’s Talent League Girls Grand Final.