Two GIANT stars of the future will go from friends to foes this weekend as GIANTS Academy teammates Ashley Patton and Amelie Prosser-Shaw face off in a special clash filled with the country’s most talented young female footballers.
On Sunday, the AFL’s National Academy girls team will represent the country’s best under-18 talent when they take on a national All-Stars side in Melbourne during the King’s Birthday weekend.
Patton - the GIANTS Academy’s vice-captain - will take her place in the National Academy side, while her GIANTS Academy teammate Prosser-Shaw is part of the All-Stars side comprised of elite talent aged 21 and under from across Australia.
The All-Stars features talent from the Coates Talent League, VFLW, SANFLW, WAFLW and QAFLW, with the squad selected from nominations submitted by all AFLW clubs.
Patton, a versatile forward who until recently represented Australia in baseball before deciding to fully commit to her footy, said she can’t wait to take the field against her GIANTS teammate.
“Amelie is a really good friend of mine and I’m really excited to play against her this weekend,” the talented 17-year-old said.
“I’m not sure where I’m playing and where she’s playing but I’m sure there’ll be a time when we are in similar spots on the ground so it should be fun.”
Created with the aim of developing the best young talent in their draft year, Patton says she is loving her time in the National Academy under head coach Tarkyn Lockyer.
“It’s been such an amazing experience and I’m so grateful for the opportunity,” the Canberra product said.
“I wasn’t really expecting to go this far with my footy but it’s been so fun. It’s been such a great experience and the girls are really friendly and there’s so much knowledge to learn from ‘Tarks’ [Lockyer].”
The 170cm star wasn’t shying away from her lofty ambitions.
“Last year was all about baseball because of the Women’s World Cup [which she played in] but I made that switch once that was over so footy has been the main focus since then,” she said.
“I’ve always wanted to get into the AFLW and that’s been a really big goal of mine and I’m trying to make that dream come true.”
Her good friend Prosser-Shaw, a hard-running winger with speed to burn, is also aiming for the stars and is hoping to use Sunday’s game to show AFLW recruiters she has what it takes to make it at the level.
“I’m super excited and a little nervous as obviously it’s big stakes but I’m excited to show my strengths and my weapons and really bring everything I have to the table,” she said.
“It’s a great opportunity to show what I’m capable of and I’m going to take it with two hands.”
She admitted it’ll be a little different lining up against her GIANTS Academy teammate and friend, Patton, rather than alongside her.
“It’ll funny going from playing with her once week to against her the next,” she said.
“It’s going to be a really tough game but a really exciting game to play against someone like Ash and the talent she brings to the table.
“We’ll see each other out there and it’ll be great to play against her and against all the emerging talent that’s out there.”
Like her good friend, Prosser-Shaw is hell bent on making it to the AFLW.
“My goal is to get drafted and I’d love to get picked up by the GANTS, that’s the ultimate goal,” she said.
“I want to work super hard this year and take every opportunity I’m given and make sure I’m putting myself on the best platform to allow that to happen.
“To get drafted would be amazing and I’m going to do everything in my power that I can to get there and push myself to achieve that goal.”
Patton and Prosser-Shaw will continue to chase their AFLW dreams - this time as foes - when the National Academy (Australia U18) and the All-Stars meet at RSEA Park on Sunday at 11am.
HOW TO WATCH: Sunday’s match between Australia U18 and the All-Stars will be available to watch live and free on the AFLW website.
