Queenslanders named in National Academy to take on All Stars

The 2025 Marsh AFL National Academy Girls will represent Australia when they take on a national All Stars team in a talent showcase in Melbourne on Sunday.

The National Academy squad will play as the Australia U18 team for the first of two times this year when they take on the All Stars at RSEA Park on Sunday, April 20.

The Australia U18 team will play a second match in Melbourne over the King’s Birthday weekend in June.

The Marsh AFL National Academy features a host of the most talented young footballers from across Australia, who are taking part in the program during their Draft year.

The National Academy is a holistic football and personal development program, providing the next generation of stars with valuable experiences, insights and opportunities to best prepare them for the next steps in their football journey.

The All Stars team was selected from nominations submitted by AFLW clubs, with the national squad comprising talent players born in 2006 and 2007.

The team features a mix of players who are playing with Talent Pathways clubs during the 2025 season, along with existing members of Talent Pathways programs who are now playing senior football.

Three players who were members of last year’s Marsh AFL National Academy have been selected for the All Stars. They are Emma Juneja, Tatyana Perry and Ash Patton.

The All Stars will be coached by former Dandenong Stingrays and Collingwood VFL coach Craig Black, with AFLW players Jordyn Allen, Belle Dawes and Lauren Wakfer supporting as assistants.

The Marsh AFL National Academy Girls squad will arrive in Melbourne from Thursday for the second camp of the 2025 program. It follows an induction camp that was held in Victoria last December.

The squad will feature in a range of high-performance, wellbeing, education and team bonding sessions throughout the three-day camp.

They will train at the AIA Vitality Centre on Friday and the NEC Hangar on Saturday morning in preparation for Sunday’s match at RSEA Park.

Marsh AFL National Academy Manager, Tarkyn Lockyer, said: “It’s an exciting moment for all players in the Marsh AFL National Academy to wear the Australia jumper for the very first time.

“It is a well-deserved honour for everyone selected and we look forward to watching our Academy members wearing the jumper with distinction.

“Sunday’s game also provides a great opportunity for players selected for the All Stars to showcase their talent on the big stage.”

AUSTRALIA U18 vs ALL STARS
Sunday, April 20, 2025
1:30pm AEST
RSEA Park
Free entry

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.

Continue below to view the squads for Sunday’s match at RSEA Park.

AUSTRALIA U18 

 
ALL STARS