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 […]
Stevens expands versatility in impressive year
TALENTED athlete and GWS Giants Academy member Morgan Stevens became a more rounded player in 2026, expanding not only her positional capabilities but her role as well. Boasting an outstanding vertical leap as well as nice speed and agility for her size, Stevens came into the year known for her attacking prowess out of defence, […]
Development the key for McIntyre going forward
WHILE the industry as a whole considers Grace McIntyre‘s year a breakout one, hearing from the player herself it was more about consistency than any one moment that catapulted her up draft boards. The Sandringham Dragons utility was pleased with her year, even though from a team perspective she did not quite achieve what she […]
Day seizes “opportunities” in busy top-age year
A HIGHLY talented draft prospect for a number of years, Majella Day was pleased with how her final junior season panned out. While it included a tough choice of not returning to Murray Bushrangers in order to focus on study in the back-end of the season, Day still produced plenty of big games through the […]
