A record seven Territorians have been named in the Allies team to play in the AFL Women’s Under 18 competition in Broadbeach, QLD in July.
The team will be coached by Adelaide Crows premiership coach Bec Goddard and the team will be made up by players from the Northern Territory, South Australia and Tasmania.
Territorians selected are:
Janet Baird – Palmerston Magpies Football Club – Defender
Ruthless defender that rarely loses her one on one contest. Has the ability to use the ball well by hand and foot.
Calista Boyd – Wanderers Football Clubm – Midfield
Lightning speed and ability, very clever around goals. Has the ability to run opponent high up the ground and use speed to back inside 50 quickly.
Jessie Brock – Southern Districts Football Club – Forward
Comes from athletic background and has taken to the game well. Uses her athleticism as a strength, has a good work rate and team mentality.
Maddie Gault – Waratah Football Club – Midfield
Has polished skills below the knees and the ability to run and take the game on. Very coachable and team-oriented.
Tabitha May – Palmerston Magpies Football Club – Midfield
Small midfielder that reads the play well and works hard in the contested ball area and continues to improve all areas of her game.
Arthurina Moreen – Tiwi Bombers Football Club – Ruck
Has good agility and has the ability to play most positions on the ground. Has a good understanding of the game and can play inside and outside of the contest. Kicks with both sides of her body and has good hands below her knees.
Danielle Ponter – St Mary’s Football Club – Midfield
Has good skill sets and works well on both sides of her body. Reads the play well and her defensive acts are very good. Quietly spoken and leads by example.
AFLNT High Performance Manager Wally Gallio said it was pleasing to have such a high number of Territorians selected in the Allies.
“The is the first time in the championships that they’ve had an Allies team and the first time they’ve had this format with two divisions, so to have such strong NT representation is exciting.
“From here players will be selected into National Academy programs and identified as AFLW League players for the first ever women’s draft combine later in the year.
“Playing for the Allies will give them every opportunity to put themselves on the national stage in front of AFL recruiters and playing against the best players of their age group,” he said.