{"id":197942,"date":"2025-08-13T09:58:04","date_gmt":"2025-08-12T23:58:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/?p=197942"},"modified":"2025-08-13T09:58:06","modified_gmt":"2025-08-12T23:58:06","slug":"recap-2025-aflw-u18s-queensland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/2025\/08\/13\/recap-2025-aflw-u18s-queensland\/","title":{"rendered":"RECAP | 2025 AFLW U18s: Queensland"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

DESPITE missing a raft of first-choice players from the Queensland lineup, the Maroons showed the great depth within the squad an state to unearth a few new faces and uplift others to raise their draft stocks in the process. Though ultimately a loss to the Allies for the second consecutive year denied the Maroons the title, there was plenty to like about their performances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

>> FULL SQUAD: <\/strong>2025 Queensland AFLW U18s<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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RESULTS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

RECORD:<\/strong> 3-1 | 106.4% | WWLW<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Game 1:<\/strong> def. Western Australia 9.5 (59) to 8.8 (56)<\/a>
Game 2: <\/strong>def. Vic Country 6.4 (40) to 3.10 (28)<\/a>
Game 3: <\/strong>def. by Allies 8.9 (57) to 6.15 (51)<\/a>
Game 4:<\/strong> def. South Australia 5.4 (34) to 4.8 (32)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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HOW IT HAPPENED<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Queensland came from the brinks of defeat to knock off Western Australia in a memorable opening day of the national championships, before fending off Vic Country with a strong start and finish at Brighton Homes Arena. The venue did not provide the same satisfaction next time out when Queensland suffered a tough six-point loss at the hands of the Allies, but the Maroons bounced back to knock off South Australia in another thrilling come-from-behind victory down at Prospect Oval to finish off the 2025 carnival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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WHAT WORKED<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Queensland’s depth really stood out throughout the tournament, with the ruck and midfield pairings creating run and carry going forward. Defensively the Maroons held up well, keeping the opposition to eight goals or less each match, and Vic Country and South Australia to a combined seven goals. While they were missing a number of key players, Queensland made do and others stepped up in their absence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sunny Lappin<\/a> (Southport\/Suns Academy)<\/strong>
Midfielder\/Wing | 170cm | 28\/11\/2007<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Averages: <\/strong>25.3 disposals, 4.3 marks, 5.5 clearances, 4.5 tackles, 4.5 inside 50s, 3.3 rebound 50s<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lappin’s national carnival was nothing short of sensational, making a successful transition from the wing to the inside where she lead Queensland in the clearances. Not only was she able to find the ball around the stoppage and burst away, but she ran hard to work into space and still have her usual impact on the outside. Her carnival took her from a top 25 prospect into a potential top 10 talent with the consistency and impact she had on both sides of midfield.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sunny Lappin was announced as Queensland’s MVP. Image credit: Rookie Me Central<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

LEADING GOALKICKER<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Aiyana Pritchard<\/a> (University of Queensland\/Lions Academy)<\/strong>
Tall Forward | 175cm | 21\/12\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Averages: <\/strong>9.0 disposals, 1.8 marks, 1.8 tackles, 2.0 inside 50s, 1.5 goals<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bottom-age forward is completely raw, but packs plenty of punch, with her performance against Vic Country helping get Queensland over the line. Two late goals sealed that result after one earlier in the game, to finish with six in total for the carnival. Has elite athletic traits and plenty of upside as a December-born prospect for next year’s AFLW Draft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RISING PROSPECT<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mikayla Nurse<\/a> (Southport\/Suns Academy)<\/strong>
Wing\/Midfielder | 168cm | 19\/09\/2007<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Averages: <\/strong>18.0 disposals, 3.3 marks, 3.8 tackles, 1.8 clearances, 5.0 inside 50s, 1.5 rebound 50s<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Riding shotgun to Lappin but on the wing, Nurse provided her own run and skill where she picked apart opposition defensive setups. While not necessarily having a stack of the ball all the time, her high impact-per-possession made her such a valuable contributor. While not too far away from the top bracket of players, Nurse certainly boosted her stocks in that permanent wing role with some on-ball minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ONES TO WATCH<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The tried and true trio of Ava Usher<\/a>, Dekota Baron<\/a> and Georja Davies<\/a> are clearly Queensland’s standout prospects, and while the latter was the only one who played all four games, all three are highly sought after to fill out the first handful of picks in the AFLW Draft. Davies got to taste life as a key defender, while Baron worked back from injury and a knee setback in April kept Usher on ice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From those on the park, defender Rhianna Ingram<\/a> and wing\/forward Aleah Stringer<\/a> jumped ahead of a few names on draft boards, while midfielder\/forward Annabelle Foat<\/a>, damaging forward Alannah Welsh<\/a> and tall athletic defender Lilly-Ann Ryder<\/a> are among the long list of draftable Queensland prospects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Rhianna Ingram has been a steady force in the defensive 50. Image credit: Rookie Me Central<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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THE FUTURE<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Pritchard and Harlee McIlwain<\/a> will provide a fierce one-two punch next year, with injured midfielder Molly Ferguson<\/a> – who missed the last two games – and fellow hard-running bottom-ager Mia Geere<\/a> the other top prospects from the state in 2026. Throw in the likes of Freya Ross<\/a>, Summer Browning<\/a> and Zoe Petrides<\/a> for the 2008-born crop, and the 2009-born duo of Ameleia Murray<\/a> and Edie Fraser<\/a> and the talent of Queensland football is not slowing down any time soon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Mentions<\/span><\/span><\/div>