{"id":218899,"date":"2026-07-17T13:21:42","date_gmt":"2026-07-17T03:21:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/?p=218899"},"modified":"2026-07-17T13:21:45","modified_gmt":"2026-07-17T03:21:45","slug":"2026-aflw-u18s-all-australian-team-revealed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/2026\/07\/17\/2026-aflw-u18s-all-australian-team-revealed\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 AFLW U18s All-Australian team revealed"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A STACKED All-Australian team from the AFL Women’s Under 18 Championships has been revealed, with Vic Country MVP and star midfielder Ava Bilyk<\/a> named captain of the side. Despite Vic Country only winning the one game, Bilyk was best-on in almost every game she played for Country, and deservedly earned that accolade as well as the overall carnival best and fairest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bilyk’s MVP-winning national tournament followed on from her Under 16s MVP for Country. She of course earned the starting centre spot and was named on-ball with Allies pair Matilda Lange<\/a> and Zoe Curry<\/a>. Unsurprisingly Western Australia MVP Cara Dziegielewski<\/a> earned the starting ruck spot, with Allies’ Frances Walsh<\/a> and Vic Metro’s Maddison Meagher<\/a> named on the wings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The forwardline features four midfielders who are capable of rolling forward, with South Australian duo Lani Cocks<\/a> and Emma Charlton<\/a> named inside 50 along with Queensland MVP Molly Ferguson<\/a> and Vic Metro ball-winner Emily Rankin<\/a>. Carnival leading goalkicker Bailee Martin<\/a> – who finished with 12 goals – was a lock for full-forward despite only playing three games, while fellow National Academy member Harlee McIlwain<\/a> slotted into centre half-forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Up the other end of the ground, a breakout carnival from South Australia’s Olivia Leslie<\/a> earned her the full-b ack spot, with Swans Academy’s Ashleigh Barlow<\/a>‘s dream top-age campaign rewarded with a spot at centre half-back. Vic Metro MVP Alli Allen<\/a> was named in a back pocket, as a trio of National Academy members occupied the last three spots. South Australian Emily Mableson<\/a>, West Australian Mia Carlshausen<\/a> and Allies’ Charlotte Tidemann<\/a> rounded out the starting side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking to the bench and speedy midfielders Lucy Moore<\/a> (South Australia) and Aurelia Russell<\/a> (Allies) both deserved their places with National Academy pair Morgan Stevens<\/a> (Allies) and Sophie White<\/a> (Vic Country) on the interchange with South Australian forward Madeline Nuss<\/a> who finished second in the goalkicking behind Martin. Her coach and title-winning mentor Brad Snell<\/strong> was named the coach of the side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Champions South Australia recorded six players in the All-Australian team, one less than the Allies who had their best ever carnival result. Vic Metro had four players, while Queensland, Vic Country and Western Australia each had two.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2026 AFLW U18s ALL-AUSTRALIAN TEAM:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

B: <\/strong>Mia Carlshausen (Western Australia) – Olivia Leslie (South Australia) – Alli Allen (Vic Metro)
HB:<\/strong> Emily Mableson (South Australia) – Ashleigh Barlow (Allies) – Charlotte Tidemann (Allies)
C: <\/strong>Frances Walsh (Allies) – Ava Bilyk (Vic Country) (c) – Maddy Meagher (Vic Metro)
HF:<\/strong> Lani Cocks (South Australia) – Harlee McIlwain (Queensland) – Emily Rankin (Vic Metro)
F: <\/strong>Emma Charlton (South Australia) – Bailee Martin (Vic Metro) – Molly Ferguson (Queensland)
R: <\/strong>Cara Dziegielewski (Western Australia) – Matilda Lange (Allies) – Zoe Curry (Allies)
INT: <\/strong>Lucy Moore (South Australia) – Madeline Nuss (South Australia) – Aurelia Russell (Allies) – Morgan Stevens (Allies) – Sophie White (Vic Country)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coach: <\/strong>Brad Snell (South Australia)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

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