VIC Metro has dominated the 2024 AFL Women’s Under 18 All-Australian team that was released by the AFL today. The 23-player squad features seven Metro players, three more than any other state after the side was victorious in winning its first national title since 2019.
Reigning back-to-back titleholder South Australia – who finished second overall on percentage – had four, the same amount as Vic Country. Queensland and the winless Western Australia had three, while the Allies – who had a surprise win over the Maroons either side of a couple of heavy losses – finished with the two representatives.
Vic Metro on-ball star Sierra Grieves took out the competition’s best and fairest award or MVP, finishing one vote ahead of fellow Victorian and Country MVP Sara Howley, with Queensland’s Havana Harris – who won the MVP last year – third overall. The trio are in a stacked midfield with West Australian Zippy Fish and consistent Metro midfielder Sarah Poustie, while Maroons ruck/midfielder Georja Davies was named starting ruck, also collecting Queensland’s MVP.
Two defenders earned MVPs for their state in Esther Schirmer (South Australia) and Evie Cowcher (Western Australia) named in defence alongside a trio of AFLW Academy members in Mackenzie Williams (Allies), Sienna Tallariti (Vic Metro) and Millie Lang (Vic Country). Impressive South Australian Grace Martin rounded out the back six.
In attack, overall leading goalkicker Georgia Knight was one of three Vic Metro players named inside 50. She was joined by Grace Belloni and Emma McDonald, as well as South Australian duo India Rasheed and Eloise Mackereth, and Vic Country’s Ash Centra.
A further five players were named on the bench, all from different states. They were Allies’ Priya Bowering, Vic Metro’s Sophie McKay, Vic Country’s Lou Painter, Queensland’s Mia Salisbury and Western Australia’s Olivia Wolmarans. Title-winning Vic Metro mentor Tyrone Vickery was named as the hypothetical team’s coach.
2024 AFL WOMEN’S NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS U18s ALL-AUSTRALIAN TEAM
B: Mackenzie Williams (Allies) – Esther Schirmer (South Australia) – Millie Lang (Vic Country)
HB: Evie Cowcher (Western Australia) – Sienna Tallariti (Vic Metro) – Grace Martin (South Australia)
C: Zippy Fish (Western Australia) – Sara Howley (Vic Country) – Sarah Poustie (Vic Metro)
HF: India Rasheed (South Australia) – Grace Belloni (Vic Metro) – Ash Centra (Vic Country)
F: Eloise Mackereth (South Australia) – Emma McDonald (Vic Metro) – Georgia Knight (Vic Metro)
R: Georja Davies (Queensland) – Havana Harris (Queensland) – Sierra Grieves (Vic Metro) (c)
INT: Priya Bowering (Allies) – Sophie McKay (Vic Metro) – Lou Painter (Vic Country) – Mia Salisbury (Queensland) – Olivia Wolmarans (Western Australia)
Coach: Ty Vickery (Vic Metro)