Ten NAB League Girls players have been named in the 2019 NAB AFL Women’s Under-18 All Australian Team.
Unbeaten AFLW Under-18 Championships title-winner Vic Metro contributed four members to the team while six players came from Vic Country’s ranks, including All Australian captain Lucy McEvoy (Geelong Falcons).
McEvoy won Country’s MVP award following the team’s three-win campaign, with Metro’s MVP – and overall Championships MVP – Georgia Patrikios (Calder Cannons) also named an All Australian alongside teammates Gabrielle Newton (Northern Knights), Ellie McKenzie (Northern Knights - pictured, right) and Laura McClelland (Eastern Ranges - pictured, second from left).
Other Country players selected in the All Australian team were Molly McDonald (Dandenong Stingrays), Millie Brown (Murray Bushrangers), Sophie Molan (GWV Rebels - pictured, left), Olivia Barber (Murray Bushrangers) and Tyanna Smith (Dandenong Stingrays - pictured, second from right).
AFL Head of Women's Football Nicole Livingstone said it is exciting times for the AFLW, with expansion meaning another 120 places are available for talented female players from across Australia at the elite level.
"The 2019 NAB AFLW Under-18 Championships saw the country's best young female talent displaying their skills for club recruiters, including representatives from the four expansion teams - West Coast Eagles, Gold Coast Suns, Richmond and St Kilda," Livingstone said.
"This year, five players will become dual AFLW Under-18 All-Australians, while Lucy McEvoy (Vic Country) becomes a triple AFLW Under-18 All Australian after being selected in 2017 in the back pocket, in 2018 as full forward and now in 2019 as captain in the midfield.
"I am excited to see what the next generation of players will be able to bring to the elite competition."
See the full NAB AFL Women’s Under-18 All Australian Team below.
FORWARDS
Olivia Barber Vic Country/Murray Bushrangers
184cm 14/07/2002
A mobile tall forward with outstanding goal sense, her four-goal effort in wet conditions against Western Australia was her standout game. Averaged two goals, 10.2 disposals, three marks and two tackles across the 2019 NAB AFLW Under-18 Championships.
Ellie McKenzie Vic Metro/Northern Knights
176cm 17/10/2002
Powerful bottom ager who can play forward or through the midfield. Has the capability to break away from contested situations when she wins the ball and closes space quickly when the opposition have possession. During the 2019 NAB AFLW Under-18 Championships she averaged 19 disposals (8.3 contested), 3.3 marks and 3.7 inside 50s per game.
Mia King Eastern Allies/Launceston
166cm 06/05/2001
Tough forward/midfielder who wins her own ball and has the power to break away from contested situations. Consistent across all performances in the 2019 NAB AFLW Under-18 Championships averaging 18 disposals (15.3 contested), 5.3 clearances and 6.7 tackles.
Gabrielle Newton Vic Metro/Northern Knights
175cm 31/08/2001
Tall athletic forward/midfielder who is strong overhead and a good ball user. Reads the game very well and averaged 17.8 disposals, 4.5 marks and three clearances across the 2019 NAB AFLW Under-18 Championships.
Roxanne Roux Western Australia/East Fremantle
170cm 10/11/2001
Powerfully built key forward who marks the ball at the highest point, making her difficult to defend. Has the athleticism to recover at ground level. Averaged 10.3 disposals, 2 contested marks and 3.4 inside 50s across the 2019 NAB AFLW Under-18 Championships.
Teah Charlton Central Allies/South Adelaide
169cm 25/04/2002
Medium forward/midfielder who has a good balance between winning her own ball and providing run on the outside. Consistent ball winner in 2019 NAB AFLW Under-18 Championships averaging 14.7 disposals (10.3 contested), 7 tackles, 2.3 clearances and 3.3 inside 50s.
MIDFIELDERS
Mikayla Bowen Western Australia/Swan Districts
164cm 17/04/2001
Small midfielder who wins her own ball and consistently contributes across all four quarters. A creative player who averaged 19.8 disposals (12.4 contested), 7.4 tackles and 4.4 clearances across the 2019 NAB AFLW Under- 18 Championships. A pre-signed West Coast Eagles AFLW player.
Molly McDonald Vic Country/Dandenong Stingrays
166cm 04/05/2001
Dashing wing or flanker who covers the ground with her running capability which enables her to get to contest after contest. Averaged 12 disposals, 4.2 tackles, 3.8 inside 50s and one very memorable goal breaking the 50 and slotting it home against Eastern Allies.
Lucy McEvoy (Captain) Vic Country/Geelong Falcons
169cm 13/05/2001
Medium sized player who has the capability to play in the backline, through the midfield or up forward. Has the power to navigate through congestion and is a good user of the ball by hand and foot. Averaged 20.8 disposals, 5.2 hardball gets and 2.8 clearances across the 2019 NAB AFLW Under-18 Championships.
Montana McKinnon Central Allies/South Adelaide
182cm 14/07/2001
A ruck/forward whose down the line marking was a feature of her game across the 2019 NAB AFLW Under-18 Championships. A strong physical presence around stoppages, she averaged 11.7 disposals, 3.7 marks and 16.3 hit outs to win the Central Allies’ MVP Award.
Sophie Molan Vic Country/GWV Rebels
174cm 24/03/2001
Medium midfielder with a strong overhead mark who can recover and win it at ground level. A very good finisher who averaged 16 disposals, 10 contested, 2.8 clearances and 5.2 tackles a game throughout the 2019 NAB AFLW Under-18 Championships.
Georgia Patrikios Vic Metro/Calder Cannons
168cm 30/03/2001
Small midfielder who was a prolific ball winner throughout the 2019 NAB AFLW Under-18 Championships averaging 22.8 disposals, 2.8 marks, 2.8 clearances and 4.5 tackles. A clean ball handler who is elusive and creative. Winner of Vic Metro’s MVP Award as well as the overall 2019 NAB AFLW Under-18 Championship MVP Award.
DEFENDERS
Millie Brown Vic Country/Murray Bushrangers
175cm 15/01/2001
Defender who attacks the ball, breaks through lines and is composed under pressure. Has the ability to break the game open with her kicking off half back. Averaged 68.2 per cent efficiency by foot, eight contested possessions and 5.7 rebound 50s. Daughter of Geelong’s Paul Brown, she is a potential father-daughter selection to the Geelong Cats.
Ellie Hampson Queensland/Hermit Park/Coorparoo
167cm 08/02/2001
Medium defender/midfielder who sets the play up with her line breaking speed, agility and use of the ball with her penetrating left foot. A pre-signed Gold Coast Suns AFLW player, she averaged 18.4 disposals, 3.2 rebound 50s and 3.2 tackles across the 2019 NAB AFLW Under-18 Championships.
Tyanna Smith Vic Country/Dandenong Stingrays
167cm 29/1/2002
Small defender with great natural speed and agility along with a penetrating kick. Can play defence or move up through midfield. Excelled in the 2019 NAB AFLW Under-18 Championships as a bottom ager averaging 15.2 disposals (8.5 contested), 5.8 tackles and two clearances.
Brenna Tarrant Eastern Allies/East Coast Eagles
173cm 03/11/2001
Medium defender/midfielder with explosive pace when breaking away from contested situations. Reads the game very well and averaged 9.7 disposals, three marks and five tackles across the 2019 NAB AFLW Under-18 Championships.
Serene Watson Queensland/Bond University
174cm 03/11/2001
Medium defender whose intercept marking was a feature of her game. Has the speed to be able to stay on the lead with her opponent. Averaged 13 disposals, 3.4 rebound 50s and 3.2 tackles across the 2019 NAB AFLW Under-18 Championships.
Kitara Whap-Farrar Queensland/South Cairns/Bond University
165cm 28/03/2001
Medium defender who sets the play up with her line breaking speed and use of the ball going at 73.8 per cent disposal efficiency across the 2019 NAB AFLW Under-18 Championships. A pre-signed Gold Coast Suns AFLW player.
INTERCHANGE
Madison Newman Central Allies/West Adelaide
168cm 05/10/2001
Medium utility who is athletic and strong overhead. Showed good dash from defence and made strong decisions on when to mark and spoil. Averaged 15.3 disposals, 2.7 marks and four Rebound 50s throughout the 2019 NAB AFLW Under-18 Championships.
Lily Postlethwaite Queensland/Maroochydore
162cm 29/10/2001
Small midfielder who is creative, has clean hands and a high football IQ. Very good around stoppages, she averaged 19 disposals, 2.2 rebound 50s and 3.6 marks across the 2019 NAB AFLW Under-18 Championships.
Mim Strom Western Australia/South Fremantle
182cm 07/11/2001
A developing ruck who was among her team’s best contributors in the 2019 NAB AFLW Under-18 Championships with her clean hands and impressive ruck craft. Averaged 23.8 hit outs per game with a disposal efficiency of 67.9 per cent and looks to have significant further physical development in her.
Laura McClelland Vic Metro/Eastern Ranges
172cm 03/07/2001
Tall defender with great natural speed and agility with a penetrating left foot kick. Can play defence or move up through the ruck. Excelled in the 2019 NAB AFLW Under-18 Championships averaging 10 disposals (six contested), 2.5 marks and four tackles.
