INTRODUCING a new weekly feature at Rookie Me Central \u2014 the Top-age Team of the Week. Each week we will cast our eyes across the competitions from around the country and name a combined team of the best top-age performers, drawing from the Talent League Girls, WAFLW, SANFLW and beyond. With the AFLW Draft approaching at the end of the year, this is the team that caught our eye across the weekend of April 18-19.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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B:<\/strong> Mia Carlshausen (Perth\/WAFLW) \u2013 Ashleigh Barlow (Swans Academy\/TLG) \u2013 Rose Bell (Murray Bushrangers\/TLG) Mia Carlshausen<\/a> (Perth\/WAFLW)<\/strong> \u2014 Composed and reliable across the defensive 50 against Peel Thunder, Carlshausen consistently won the ball cleanly under pressure and moved it efficiently throughout. Finished with 18 disposals and six marks in Perth’s first win of the season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ashleigh Barlow<\/a> (Swans Academy\/TLG)<\/strong> \u2014 The tall defender was composed and reliable across the last line alongside Tidemann, finishing with 18 disposals, three marks and four rebound 50s. A player who has impressed in the preseason testing results and continues to hold her own at Talent League level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rose Bell<\/a> (Murray Bushrangers\/TLG)<\/strong> \u2014 The anchor of the Bushrangers’ defensive structure with 16 disposals, five marks and six rebound 50s, Bell did her best work with well-placed kicking from the back half and snuck up to centre half-forward late to deliver a low bullet inside 50 that led directly to a goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lacey Nihill<\/a> (Bendigo Pioneers\/TLG)<\/strong> \u2014 Brilliant in a losing side with 32 disposals, seven tackles, five clearances and eight inside 50s, Nihill’s run and carry through the corridor, goal assist in the first term and composed finish for her own goal in the second were the highlights of a major statement against a dominant Murray midfield.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Polly Turner<\/a> (North Adelaide\/SANFLW U18s)<\/strong> \u2014 Turner was North Adelaide’s most lively performer in the SANFLW Under 18s, moving between attack and midfield with 14 disposals, five marks, four tackles and a goal. A spectacular contested grab on the wing in the final term was her best individual moment. Has the capability to play as a tall defender so was named here for team balance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Charlotte Tidemann<\/a> (Swans Academy\/TLG)<\/strong> \u2014 The National Academy member was the Swans’ most reliable defensive weapon against the Lions Academy, finishing with 26 disposals and six rebound 50s. Her penetrating kick and run-and-carry off the half-back flank kept Sydney moving, while a thumping kick-in in the third term directly set up a Swans goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n C:<\/strong> Skylah McPherson (Murray Bushrangers\/TLG) \u2013 Ava Bilyk (Geelong Falcons\/TLG) \u2013 Zoe Petrides (Lions Academy\/TLG) Skylah McPherson<\/a> (Murray Bushrangers\/TLG)<\/strong> \u2014 Seven of everything \u2014 disposals, marks, tackles, clearances and inside 50s \u2014 plus three goals and 33 touches in total. A really well-rounded midfield performance, and her run and carry means she could do it on a wing where she is named here with the depth of on-ball options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ava Bilyk<\/a> (Geelong Falcons\/TLG)<\/strong> \u2014 Back from an interrupted 2025 and showing exactly why she was Vic Country’s Under 16s MVP. Thirty-two disposals, seven rebound 50s and a goal in a performance that touched every part of the ground, highlighted by repeated charges out of defensive 50 in the final term and a clever goal in congestion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Zoe Petrides<\/a> (Lions Academy\/TLG)<\/strong> \u2014 The Lions’ midfield engine produced another strong showing in a week where the Academy went undefeated, consistently driving the ball forward and combining beautifully with Ameleia Murray<\/strong> to set up multiple scoring opportunities for Brisbane. Similar to McPherson, named on a wing given the depth of on-ball and forward options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Miyu Endersby<\/a> (Central District\/SANFLW)<\/strong> \u2014 Dominant in the ruck with 26 hitouts and nine tackles in Central District’s SANFLW Under 18s win over North Adelaide, pushing into defence reliably between stints and capping her day with a lovely wide kick across the half-back flank in the final term.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Emily Mableson<\/a> (West Adelaide\/SANFLW)<\/strong> \u2014 21 disposals, four tackles, five inside 50s and a remarkable goal from a second-effort play – throwing it on the left foot to the hotspot then slamming it home off the same boot – as well as a goal assist to Alaitz Kelly<\/strong> in one of the SANFLW round’s best individual performances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Layla Vizgaudis<\/a> (South Adelaide\/SANFLW)<\/strong> \u2014 Twenty-two disposals, seven clearances and a direct goal assist to Emily Brockhurst<\/strong> in the Panthers’ win over Norwood. Lightning disposal and trademark quick hands were again the defining features of her game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n HF:<\/strong> Julia Faulkner (Woodville-West Torrens\/SANFLW) \u2013 Bailee Martin (Oakleigh Chargers\/TLG) \u2013 Emily Rankin (Eastern Ranges\/TLG) Julia Faulkner<\/a> (Woodville-West Torrens\/SANFLW)<\/strong> \u2014 Sixteen disposals, six tackles and four clearances from a forward\/midfielder role that saw her create for others more than herself \u2014 twice directly setting up goals with slick handball releases and sharp reads in the forward half in what was the Eagles’ Round 1 draw with Sturt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bailee Martin<\/a> (Oakleigh Chargers\/TLG)<\/strong> \u2014 Four goals including an overhead snap from the crumb that was the moment of the week in the Chargers’ win over Sandringham. Only needed a split second to inflict maximum damage and showed every facet of her forward craft across 12 disposals and four marks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Emily Rankin<\/a> (Eastern Ranges\/TLG)<\/strong> \u2014 The Ranges’ captain was the best player on the ground against the Northern Knights, finishing with 35 disposals, 12 tackles and seven clearances \u2014 plus two goals \u2014 in a performance that built quarter by quarter with a disposal efficiency of 69 per cent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Chelsea Newitt<\/a> (West Adelaide\/SANFLW)<\/strong> \u2014 Three goals on SANFLW debut from 17 disposals and five marks. Her finishes showed real variety \u2014 a composed set shot, a courageous mark and a snap around the body \u2014 and she was busy well beyond the scoreboard with five tackles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Majella Day<\/a> (Giants Academy\/TLG)<\/strong> \u2014 Seven goals from 19 disposals, four marks, five tackles and seven inside 50s. The tall forward was unstoppable inside 50 and the driving force in the Giants Academy’s win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eliza Roche<\/a> (Murray Bushrangers\/TLG)<\/strong> \u2014 Four goals in a performance that showed the full range of her forward capabilities \u2014 a contested clunk just before the siren, a tight-angle finish from a scramble, a simple tap-in after getting goalside, and a running goal off a chain. One of the best individual forward performances of the week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n INT:<\/strong> Charli Bassett (East Perth\/WAFLW) \u2013 Alana Fraser (Giants Academy\/TLG) – Ruby Lynch (Woodville-West Torrens\/SANFLW) – Carmela Perri (Murray Bushrangers\/TLG) \u2013 Scout Semple (Eastern Ranges\/TLG) \u2013 Lexi Strachan (West Perth\/WAFLW) \u2013 <\/p>\n\n\n\n Charli Bassett<\/a> (East Perth\/WAFLW)<\/strong> \u2014 21 disposals and a goal assist in the third quarter off the overlap at half-forward were the highlights of a busy rotational performance for the Royals. East Perth’s lead draft prospect continues to show her value across multiple roles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alana Fraser<\/a> (Giants Academy\/TLG)<\/strong> \u2014 A lovely ball user who did her best work from the last line, Fraser finished with 21 disposals, four marks, two tackles and six rebound 50s in a consistent performance that kept the Giants moving out of defence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ruby Lynch<\/a> (Woodville-West Torrens\/SANFLW)<\/strong> \u2014 19 disposals, six marks – including two contested – and a near-goal in the final term after a strong burst from 15 metres that was just pushed wide. A competitive and dangerous showing in the Eagles’ draw with Sturt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Carmela Perri<\/a> (Murray Bushrangers\/TLG)<\/strong> \u2014 41 disposals and the highest accumulator of the week anywhere in the country. Constantly on the ball, constantly creating – her brilliant flick handballs in the final term directly set up two goals and her endurance across four quarters was extraordinary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
HB:<\/strong> Lacey Nihill (Bendigo Pioneers\/TLG) \u2013 Polly Turner (North Adelaide\/SANFLW U18s) \u2013 Charlotte Tidemann (Swans Academy\/TLG)<\/p>\n\n\n\nMIDFIELDERS:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
R:<\/strong> Miyu Endersby (Central District\/SANFLW) \u2013 Emily Mableson (West Adelaide\/SANFLW) \u2013 Layla Vizgaudis (South Adelaide\/SANFLW)<\/p>\n\n\n\nFORWARDS:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
F:<\/strong> Chelsea Newitt (West Adelaide\/SANFLW) \u2013 Majella Day (Giants Academy\/TLG) \u2013 Eliza Roche (Murray Bushrangers\/TLG)<\/p>\n\n\n\nINTERCHANGE:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n