The Victorian Metro and Country squads have been named of the under-18 girls AFL National Championships.
The championships will showcase the most talented under-18 girls footballers from across Australia the next two months.
Six teams will compete at the championships, with the two Victorian sides to feature alongside Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and the Allies – comprising players from NSW-ACT, Northern Territory and Tasmania. All teams will play four matches.
Victoria Metro is the reigning title holder after completing an undefeated campaign at the 2024 championships.
Eastern Ranges coach Jarrad Donders has been appointed coach of Victoria Metro, while GWV Rebels coach Sally Riley will take the reins of Victoria Country.
Calder Cannons duo Chloe Baker-West and Jade McLay have been named in the squad. McLay will miss the championships though through injury which has ruled her out for the rest of the season.
The Northern Knights had one of the strongest representations in the Metro squad.
Maddison Meagher, Phoebe Hargreaves, Marlo Graham, Olivia Gorman, Olivia Jesser, Scarlett Johnson and Isobella Hishongwa-Gibb named in the squad.
Western Jets pair Kiara Boyd and Alex McBride-Loane will get their chance to shine on the national stage.
Named in the Victorian Country squad is Kyneton’s Ella Jeffrey, who plays for the Bendigo Pioneers.
The championships will begin on Sunday, with Victoria Country featuring in the opening game when it hosts the Allies at Trevor Barker Beach Oval from 9.30am.
Victoria Metro will begin its title-defence later that day when it takes on South Australia at RSEA Park from 1.50pm.
The two Victorian sides go head-to-head at RSEA Park on Sunday, July 20.
