The best young female footballers from across the country will be in action on Sunday as the NAB AFLW Academy take on an under-23 all-stars side.
The academy side, consisting of the best footballers who are eligible for this year’s draft, face the under-23 side which comprised of players from Victoria, Northern Territory and Tasmania, who were selected based on nominations from AFLW clubs.
Recruiters from across the AFLW will be on the side lines watching the match.
Western Jets trio Charlotte Baskaran, Laura Elliott and Montana Ham are part of the academy squad which first came together late last year. The three all played key roles for the Jets in their first premiership last month.
A number of NAB League players have been named in the under-23 team. With the AFLW expanding to 16 teams next season, there will be more players selected in this year’s draft.
Northern Knights’ Makayla Appleby and Rylie Wilcox have been named in the team, along with Calder Cannons’ Abbey McDonald, Reese Sutton and Heidi Woodley.
Western Bulldogs’ Eliza Vale and Williamstown duo Sophia McCarthy and Cassie McWilliam have also been named in the side.
National Academy Manager Tarkyn Lockyer said the match would provide a fantastic opportunity for players to showcase their talent ahead of the 2022 NAB AFL Women’s draft.
“Sunday’s match will be a brilliant spectacle with the best young female footballers in Australia on the same field together,” Lockyer said.
“I congratulate all players who have been named in the NAB AFLW Academy and I look forward to watching their ongoing development going forward.”
The match is on Sunday from 11.30am at the Swinburne Centre.
