The Cazalys NT Talent Academy has announced its third squad for 2026, with the Under 18 Girls group aiming to build on a standout 2025 campaign.
Significant progress was made in the Under 18 girls talent pathway throughout 2025, highlighted by the Territorians’ historic first official home match, where the side claimed an impressive victory over the Calder Cannons.
The squad features a strong mix of proven performers and emerging talent, headlined by former NT News NTFL Rising Star winners Marika Carlton and Shakaila Gardiner-Dunn, alongside 2025 Allies representatives Taelah Smith and Danika McDonald.
Eight members of the squad have already been nominated for the NT News Rising Star Award during the 2025/26 season, Daisha Daly, Jenara Grant, Jorja Davey, Lailanie Rioli, Rosie Wilson, Aaliyah Mukhlis, Jessica Hardwick and Peggy Rock, underlining the depth of talent within the group.
Best-on-ground performers from the 2026 NTFL All Star Under 18 Girls Futures Match, Amber Quinn and Taniesha John-Forrest, have also been selected.
Central Australia is well represented, with 2025 TIO CAFL Under 17 Girls Best and Fairest and leading goalkicker Latoya Young joined by fellow Centralians Faye Ratara and Skye Childs.
The Tiwi Islands continue to showcase their strength in the pathway, with Miley Cunningham, Maria Tipuamantamerri, Taniesha John-Forrest and Rosie Wilson named in the squad.
Rounding out the group is 2025 Marsh AFL National Development Championships Northern Territory MVP Layla May, who will look to carry her outstanding form into another strong year.
See below for the full under 18 girls squad:
FIRST NAME | LAST NAME | COMMUNITY CLUB |
Faye | Ratara | Alkamilya (CAFL) |
Skye | Childs | Alkamilya (CAFL) |
Latoya | Young | South Alice Springs (CAFL) |
Danika | McDonald | Pioneer Eagles (CAFL) |
Rosie | Wilson | Tiwi Bombers (NTFL) |
Taniesha | John-Forrest | Tiwi Bombers (NTFL) |
Maria | Tipuamantamerri | Tiwi Bombers (NTFL) |
Miley | Cunningham | Tiwi Bombers (NTFL) |
Bonnie | Brown | Southern Districts (NTFL) |
Cate | Twaddle | Southern Districts (NTFL) |
Taelah | Smith | Southern Districts (NTFL) |
Ashlin | Bucklar | Southern Districts (NTFL) |
Winnie | Evans | Southern Districts (NTFL) |
Montana | Johnston | Southern Districts (NTFL) |
Olivia | Chambers | Southern Districts (NTFL) |
Charlotte | Millane | Southern Districts (NTFL) |
Brylee | Akers | Southern Districts (NTFL) |
Marika | Carlton | Palmerston Magpies (NTFL) |
Jorja | Davey | Palmerston Magpies (NTFL) |
Maitea | Golowyn | Palmerston Magpies (NTFL) |
Lailanie | Rioli | Palmerston Magpies (NTFL) |
Aaliyah | Mukhlis | Nightcliff Tigers (NTFL) |
Maya | Wauchope | Nightcliff Tigers (NTFL) |
Jessica | Hardwick | Nightcliff Tigers (NTFL) |
Sophia | Karanikolas | Nightcliff Tigers (NTFL) |
Anika | McGarvie | Nightcliff Tigers (NTFL) |
Peggy | Rock | Nightcliff Tigers (NTFL) |
Akia-Marie | Lake | Nightcliff Tigers (NTFL) |
Amber | Quinn | Nightcliff Tigers (NTFL) |
Shakaila | Gardiner-Dunn | St Marys (NTFL) |
Gabriella | Reisinger | St Marys (NTFL) |
Lakhyah | Hill | St Marys (NTFL) |
Caity | Sutherland | St Marys (NTFL) |
Phoebe | Mighall | St Marys (NTFL) |
Maddison | Hunter | St Marys (NTFL) |
Kayla | Ilett | St Marys (NTFL) |
Makenzy | Smith | St Marys (NTFL) |
Grace | Anstess | St Marys (NTFL) |
Niesha | Casimiro | Wanderers (NTFL) |
Daisha | Daly | Wanderers (NTFL) |
Taylor | Mason | Wanderers (NTFL) |
Chanelle | Fejo | Wanderers (NTFL) |
Claira | Johnston | Darwin Buffaloes (NTFL) |
Shakana | Rankine | Darwin Buffaloes (NTFL) |
Jenara | Grant | Darwin Buffaloes (NTFL) |
Riana | Ryan | Darwin Buffaloes (NTFL) |
Amy | Ward | Darwin Buffaloes (NTFL) |
Quinesha | Jones | Darwin Buffaloes (NTFL) |
Layla | May | Darwin Buffaloes (NTFL) |
Harmony | Lacey | Darwin Buffaloes (NTFL) |
Taitum | Tipuamantamerri | Darwin Buffaloes (NTFL) |