ONE WIN away from a fourth flag in six years, Oakleigh Chargers still had a memorable season. The top-ranked metropolitan side went a game further than 2025, and though they ultimately bowed out in the same way – to Dandenong – can be pleased with the depth developed for the coming years, and plenty of AFLW Draft prospects in 2026.

SEASON 2026

SNAPSHOT

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

BEST PERFORMANCE

Quarter Final: def. Western Jets by 60 points

While Oakleigh was favourite against the Western Jets in the quarter finals matchup, the Chargers really put their opposition to the sword, particularly with the breeze. The Chargers booted 11 of their 13 goals up one end, with six in the last quarter including four to Bailee Martin who ended the day with half a dozen majors in a dominant display. Cleo Barbakas (21 disposals, two goals) worked well between ruck and forward, while Isabella Mazzei (23 disposals, four tackles), Molly Phillips (25 disposals, one goal) and Isabelle Godfrey (22 disposals, three marks and five tackles) were all amongst the best in an even team performance.

DRAFT PROSPECTS

NATIONAL DRAFT COMBINE

Zoe Curry (Turvey Park)
Midfielder | 172cm | 09/10/2008

Stats [10 games]: 20.9 disposals, 1.7 marks, 3.3 tackles, 5.7 clearances, 4.9 inside 50s, 2.2 rebound 50s, 1 goal

The powerful midfielder lead from the front when available, juggling her time with the Allies and National Academy in what has been a big year for the New South Wales native. Curry captained the side to another grand final and was a strong body around the stoppages, and difficult to bring down in tackles at the best of times. Her penetrating right boot helped breakdown defensive zones and she was a crucial player in extracting the ball out of stoppages.

Sophia Green (Caulfield Grammar)
Defender/Midfielder | 170cm | 22/11/2008

Stats [12 games]: 18.9 disposals, 2.4 marks, 5.6 tackles, 2.3 clearances, 1.1 inside 50s, 3.2 rebound 50s

The Carlton father-daughter eligible prospect found her home in defence, and while being capable of slotting in anywhere on the field, did well behind the ball. Her knack for positioning effectively and picking off forward forays from the opposition was notable, while Green provided a balance of offensive and defensive impact. A fierce competitor who never takes a backwards step and takes the game on.

Bailee Martin (East Malvern Knights)
Tall Forward | 176cm | 03/09/2008

Stats [8 games]: 14.4 disposals, 3.9 marks, 1.0 tackles, 1.9 inside 50s, 21 goals

The potential pick one was phenomenal when out on the field, booting 21 goals in eight games and no doubt with a full season at Talent League Girls level would have cruised to the league leading goalkicker award. She was incredible against both Western Jets and Murray Bushrangers in the finals series, and is so difficult to beat because of her ability to recover from the aerial contest to win it at ground level and hit sizzling passes going forward. Can kick goals from anywhere and improved her accuracy out of sight in 2026 as well.

Isabella Mazzei (Kew Comets)
Midfielder | 169cm | 06/06/2008

Stats [12 games]: 22.0 disposals, 1.2 marks, 6.1 tackles, 5.1 clearances, 3.4 inside 50s, 1.6 rebound 50s, 1 goal

Going to another level off the back of a consistent 2025 campaign, Mazzei featured heavily around the ball and utilised her blend of speed and strength to extract it from the inside to outside. She rotated behind the ball at times and spent a game forward for Vic Metro, but ultimately is a naturally gifted inside midfielder. She racks up clearances and lays bone-crunching tackles, not making it easy for any opponent, while finding plenty of the ball herself.

STATE DRAFT COMBINE

Isabelle Godfrey (Kew Comets)
Wing | 162cm | 11/08/2008

Stats [14 games]: 17.6 disposals, 2.9 marks, 4.3 tackles, 1.3 clearances, 2.2 inside 50s, 2.1 rebound 50s, 3 goals

Godfrey followed up her bottom-age year to further establish her position in that wing role where she utilises her mix of athleticism and endurance. She has a sidestep like few others, able to work out of a phonebox and zigs and zags all over the ground. Her metres gained are incredibly valuable, her kicking improved throughout the 2026 season and she was just as strong defensively as she was offensively.

Leni Lockyer (Kew Comets)
Defender | 164cm | 26/03/2008

Stats [14 games]: 13.4 disposals, 1.5 marks, 3.1 tackles, 1.1 clearances, 2.1 rebound 50s, 1 goal

Having been trialled as a wing in the past and then on-ball to start the year, Lockyer was thrown down back after a few games and stayed there where the Chargers could use her slick kicking skills and footy IQ to full advantage. She competes well and has nice vision exiting the defensive 50, and while not overly quick, gets to the right spots to intercept or spoil thanks to her smarts. A valuable link in transition from deep in defence.

FUTURE PROSPECTS

Oakleigh has a stack of future talents to watch out for, headlined by a pair of talls in Cleo Barbakas and Scarlett Bown. Barbakas will do well rotating between ruck and forward, while Bown is a natural marking target inside 50, but has the potential to roll through the middle as well just like she did in the final term of the grand final.

Midfielder Ruby Douglas had a big season for the Cahrgers, while defender Lily Parker provided calm and composure behind the ball. With a high running capacity, Grace Sharkie got better as the season went on, while Isabella Teoh found herself entrenched in the team and playing some good football too. While not a high-volume ball winner, defender Hayley Columbine played 16 games during the season. Late season inclusion Ruby Kaye was another who really impressed to set herself up for 2027.

Oakleigh also blooded a stack of 2010-born prospects with Cate Deayton and Abi D’Intini booting 11 goals apiece for the season and shaping up nicely for the future. Defender Sofia Barnaby was busy late in the year, while Zara Rowson, Emily McKinley and Ava Bortignon were other double bottom-agers making their presence felt.