THE NAB AFL Women’s Academy program is giving some future stars an eye-opener into the professional side of football during a week-long camp.

Based in Geelong, the 44-strong squad is made up of Level One (17-year-olds) and Level Two (18-year-olds) players.

Run by AFLW talent manager and Western Bulldogs premiership ruck Aasta O'Connor, this is the second of two camps after the first was held in Darwin last December. 

The players took part in matches against VFLW sides Geelong (Tuesday) and Darebin (Thursday), in between training, fitness, leadership development and mentoring sessions. 

This is the second year of the Academy in its present mode. It was set up to mirror the boys' program. 

The following girls are members of the Academy and expected to represent their states or territories during the 2018 NAB AFL Women's Under-18 Championships. They will all be eligible to be drafted at the end of the year.

The championships are split in two. The first series runs from May 25-June 16 around the country, and the second series from July 9-13 on the Gold Coast. 

AFL.com.au spoke to selected players about their experiences during this week’s camp and their football.

Alyce Parker (Thurgoona/NSW/ACT)
"I live on a farm about an hour north of Albury, near a town called Holbrook. I'm from the classic farm family – we love our footy, I've grown up around it and have been able to kick it with dad since I could walk.

"I could probably sit here for an hour and tell you all the things I've learnt through the Academy. Definitely the biggest thing I've got out of the last two years of this program is the people you have available to you. To have (Adelaide co-captain) Erin Phillips as one of our coaches is fantastic…we can just go up and chat to her like she's just a normal person, which she is, and we're incredibly lucky to have that.

"I'm a Richmond supporter. I think Dusty (midfielder Dustin Martin) has rubbed off on me. I try a few 'don't-argues' in a game. Probably not as good as he can do it, but geez, it's good fun giving a good 'don't argue' and not letting them tackle you." 

Emerson Woods (Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro)
"The [game against Geelong] was the first time [playing against women instead of under-18s], so I was a bit nervous getting out there with the bigger bodies. It wasn't too bad. Their game was a bit quicker, and they were all pretty good leaders out there on the field, so that's something we can look up to." 

"I've been able to develop my leadership skills. My first season of TAC Cup competition last year was my second year of footy, so I was a bit quieter. I knew my roles and what I had to do, but I wasn't one to really share and talk to the girls. This year, when I got accepted into the Academy, I made it a goal to [be seen as a leader]. This has helped me improve my leadership and confidence."

Janet Baird (Palmerston/Northern Territory)
"I've enjoyed how structured the camp is. We know when training is, when breakfast is, they talk to us a lot about how important recovery is for our bodies and how much sleep we need. It's really good how they make us record it all, so we know what we're doing. 

"I was surprised how professional it is. I'd heard about the boys' academy and they're really serious about it all, and I thought maybe we wouldn't do the same things as the boys, but we're up there with them. It's all so professional. 

"I ran water with my friend for the Melbourne-Adelaide AFLW match in Darwin this year. We are in the NT Thunder academy and we were asked if we wanted to do it. I was giving water to players like Chelsea Randall – it was pretty cool. If I wanted to be like any player, it would be her." 

Nina Morrison (Geelong Falcons/Vic Country)
"This is just my second year of footy. I was playing soccer and tennis at school (Geelong Grammar) and I've always been into watching footy. There was a talent identification day at Deakin University two years ago and Dad suggested I get down to it. I was asked to join the Geelong Falcons after that 

"I've enjoyed spending time with the girls from different states and being exposed to the professional side of things, like managing your time. Being in that sort of environment is really cool.

"One of our focuses this week has been to play with instinct. Just backing yourself in a game and doing what comes to mind first, because it's probably the right thing to do. Have confidence in your ability." 

McKenzie Dowrick (Subiaco/Coastal Titans/Western Australia)
"I enjoyed playing against Geelong. I played nearly every position, which was pretty fun. I do like being versatile, but it would be nice to be able to stay in one position and learn it thoroughly. I get put in a different position in each team I play in. 

"I started playing when I was about seven or eight. I played with the boys for seven years until I found out there was a girls' competition in Perth, because I originally lived in Kalgoorlie-Kambalda, about seven hours away. We eventually moved to Perth in 2016. 

"I've been playing with (Fremantle players) Kiara Bowers, Hayley Miller and Dana Hooker at Subiaco. They've increased the intensity and knowledge at training a lot."

Tori Groves-Little (Beenleigh/Queensland)
"I've loved having the AFLW girls come in and hearing about their experiences. Some you can relate to, some not so much, but because everyone's so different, it's good to have a mix. I liked listening to (Melbourne player) Lily Mithen, because she's gone through all the pathways, which I've done but I just started a bit later than her.

"My grade nine science teacher got me into footy. I come from a rugby league family…all my family played it, but I said I'd take the day off school to try it out. After playing that first year, I just loved it and decided not to look back. 

"Last year I had a lot of concussions, so I missed pretty much all of the first Academy camp, which was pretty upsetting. I learnt a lot about how to adapt on the sidelines, being a team player. Then in the second camp, I learnt how to tackle properly, got a few scans, and I haven't had a head knock since. That's the biggest thing I've learnt over the last two years – how to play without getting injured." 

Chloe and Libby Haines, twins (Burnie/Tasmania)
Libby: "We'd been playing basketball all our lives, then in one of our year 10 classes someone from the Burnie Dockers came and took a clinic. He said we were pretty decent at footy and wanted to get us on board, so before we'd played a game, we had a scholarship through the North Melbourne academy." 

Chloe: "This camp has been pretty chill. The last camp was pretty hectic, with three-hour training sessions. Then you'd nap until tea. But it's been good to get to know the girls better. The first camp was a bit nerve-racking. I didn't know what to expect, but it's easier the second time around."