Five members of the GIANTS’ female Academy will represent the Allies against the best of the best in the upcoming AFL National Championships.
GIANTS Academy stars Ash Patton, Tamika Rourke, Isla Wiencke, Ellie Hall, and Amelie Prosser-Shaw will represent the Allies against the best under-18 talent in the country at the 2024 Marsh AFL National Championships which begins on Saturday.
Showcasing the best teenage girls from across Australia, the Championships features six teams – Queensland, South Australia, Victoria Country, Victoria Metro, Western Australia and the Allies.
Each team will play three matches, with the side that finishes atop the standings at the conclusion of the round-robin tournament to be crowned national champions.
The 26-player Allies squad comprises players hailing from the ACT, New South Wales, Northern Territory and Tasmania.
With the players presented their Allies jumpers in a special ceremony in Sydney on Friday, GIANTS female Academy coach Georgia Walker said the GIANTS Academy members’ selections were thoroughly deserved.
“It's so awesome to have five of our Academy girls make Allies,” Walker said.
“It's always a tough team to make but all five are very deserving with the way they went about it and showcased themselves across our short Coates Talent League season.
“The talent is growing in NSW, especially in our western Sydney and Canberra regions, and our Riverina/Wagga Wagga regions, where these girls are at the front and driving standards and helping the game grow.”
Walker said the young GIANTS were great examples of the next generation of female footballers.
“These five coming through are a part of that group of young females who have been able to be a part of not only a female club program since they were young, but an elite academy pathway from 13 to 14 years of age,” she said.
“So from that, they are around footy more, they are watching women play in the AFLW and they are becoming incredible young women and footballers in their own right.
“Playing for the Allies will be a great opportunity for all these girls to play against the best talent from across the country and it’s very exciting for all of them and the GIANTS Academy.”
Walker also shared her thoughts on each of the five GIANTS and what makes them players to watch in the future.
Ashley Patton: Canberra
“A very smart footballer with great foot skills and an incredible goal sense. She has the ability to read the play before it's happened and always seem to get to the right spots.”
Amelie Prosser Shaw: Western Sydney
“A strong outside wing with an elite running capacity. She’s become an inside mid this season where she’sshowcased her strength and ability to win the ball on her own terms.”
Isla Wienke: Canberra
“Elite contested bull and inside mid. Very strong with her groundballs and tackle pressure. Can kick the ball 50m and is aggressive going forward and scoring.”
Tamika Rourke: Leeton
“A full forward with very strong hands with both her marking and handballing. Has a great footy IQ and kick for goal. Is an exciting talent up forward.”
Ellie Hall: Narrandera
“Brilliant footy IQ and reading of the play. Playing across half back, great ability to intercept mark and run and carry. An elite runner with a 5:45 1.6km time trial. Exciting player coming off the back of an ACL.”
The Allies will commence their campaign on Saturday, June 29 when they take on Vic Metro at Blacktown International Sportspark in the opening game of the Championships, with Patton, Wiencke, Hall and Prosser-Shaw named in the final 24 for the opening game.
The Allies will then play Queensland at Brighton Homes Arena on Saturday, July 13 before finishing their campaign with a clash with South Australia at Thebarton Oval on Thursday, July 18.
WATCH: All matches in the 2024 Marsh AFL National Championships – U18 Girls will be live streamed via the match centre on the AFL website.
