White basking in “chaotic” and unforgettable year
A TALENT League Girls premiership with the Dandenong Stingrays, National Academy representation and a strong Vic Country campaign were the highs amongst some niggling injuries that were the only downside of an otherwise incredible year for Sophie White. “Personally it’s been a bit of a chaotic year,” White said at the National Draft Combine. “Lucky […]
“Like lightning has just struck twice” for unlucky Tracey
BEING told a second successive anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear due to a contact injury was “like lightning has just struck twice” was little comfort for Grace Tracey. The Swans Academy member sat out most of 2025 with the injury to her left knee, and returned to win the MVP for her side at the […]
Mazzei focused on extras after interrupted year
WHILE on-field Isabella Mazzei was as consistent as she could be, injury interruptions meant that her top-age season was not without its frustrations. The Oakleigh Chargers midfielder and Vic Metro representative said she enjoyed the year despite the ups and downs. “Good consistent year, just wanted to take a step up when I made Metro,” […]
Boyd enjoys “unreal” season of opportunities
WESTERN Jets utility Kiara Boyd never says ‘no’ to an opportunity be it on-field positioning or a challenge, with the talented National Academy member enjoying the final year of her junior football career. Going from the Jets to Williamstown and incredibly playing in a VFLW Grand Final, Boyd looks back on 2026 with only fond […]
Competitive Barlow focused on AFLW Draft dream
SWANS Academy member Ashleigh Barlow knows what it takes to chase her dream, and as the elite level is within reach, the defender has no intention of resting on her laurels despite a brilliant year. Barlow said while in an ideal scenario she would stay in the red and white next year, she had no […]
Lion cub Pritchard close to AFLW dream
AN HONEST Aiyana Pritchard conceded her season could have been better and she much prefers her forwardline role to running off a wing, but at the same time, enjoyed the experiences from her top-age year that made her the player she is today. “I thought I had an alright season, good moments here or there,” […]
Leader Rankin sets sights on all-round improvement
WELL-SPOKEN Eastern Ranges skipper Emily Rankin is not just a player who is not just driving her legs on-field, but club culture off it. Taking a holistic approach to the game, the Vic Metro representative is a player who coaches and teammates can rely on to always make the right choice and both her on-field […]
Allen “loved” consistent top-age season
AN UNFORGETTABLE season that included a Vic Metro MVP, All-Australian honours, All-Stars representation and a National Draft Combine invite, Northern Knights defender Alli Allen could hardly believe the year she put together looking back. “I think I had a very consistent year,” Allen said. “Loved it, loved the opportunities that I got given with Metro, […]
Draft Combine invite “meant the world” to Nihill
ON-FIELD results wise it was a tough year for top-age AFLW Draft hope Lacey Nihill who between club and state managed just the one win each. However, scoreboard aside, the Bendigo Pioneers and Vic Country talent could not be happier with her 2026 season. “It’s been a pretty good season overall,” Nihill said. “I think […]
Elite level just the “start of my dream” for determined Clinch
STARTING the year uncertain if she would make the final Gold Coast Suns Academy side, Queensland ruck Sienna Clinch not only reached that goal, but zoomed past it at a rate of knots. By year’s end, she established herself as the top Queensland ruck, earned a National Draft Combine invite, and set herself up as […]
