Two Queenslanders have been named in the 2021 NAB AFLW U19 Championships All-Australian Team; Gold Coast’s Teagan Levi and Maggie Harmer from Maroochydore AFC on the Sunshine Coast.
Both girls played their junior football on each coast; Teagan learning her craft at Burleigh and Broadbeach before joining Bond University, while Maggie was a junior with the Noosa Tigers.
The 2021 NAB AFLW U19 Championships showcased the most talented young female footballers from across the country and provided them the opportunity to showcase their skills against the best.
The team was selected with 18 players on the field and four interchange players with players selected in their best positions.
Queensland was only able to play one match in the 2021 NAB AFLW U19 Championships (against Victoria Country), with their clash against Victoria Metro unable to proceed due to COVID-19 and state enforced lockdowns, but Levi and Harmer did enough to impress.
It comes just days after Teagan’s sister and Gold Coast SUNS player Maddison was named in the Australian Rugby 7s squad bound for the Tokyo Olympic Games.
AFL Talent Ambassador Kevin Sheehan said selection in the NAB AFLW U19 All-Australian Team was a significant honour.
“These girls represent the best young female footballers in the country,” Sheehan said.
“It was a wonderful experience to see first-hand the emerging future stars of the AFLW competition playing and they highlight the quality of talent coming through the national pathway programs.”
“The players selected have the exciting combination of elite athleticism, fundamental skills and plenty of X-factor to have earnt their recognition as an NAB AFLW All-Australian.”
“Four of the selected players are precocious talents being younger than Draft age with NAB AFLW U19 Championships Player of the Championships Ella Roberts, as well as South Australia’s Lauren Young, Victoria Country’s Paige Scott and Allies MVP winner Cynthia Hamilton. All girls will be eligible to play in these Championships again next year ahead of the 2022 NAB AFLW Draft.”
“We look forward to watching the progression of this extremely talented group of girls into the NAB AFLW competition and their impact in future years.”
Victoria Country Head Coach Mel Hickey was selected as the All-Australian coach and congratulated all girls on their selection.
“This is a fantastic achievement and recognition for these young athletes. It’s been a delight to watch the quality and standard of football improve so much over the years at this age level,” Hickey said.
“I can’t wait to see their football journeys continue with the AFLW draft later this month as all girls have a big future in the game.”
The 2021 NAB Player of the Championships medal was awarded to Western Australia’s Ella Roberts. The 16-year-old Margaret River Senior High School student had a game high 31 disposals, six inside-50s and two goals in Game two against Victoria Metro. Roberts is eligible for the 2022 NAB AFLW Draft.
The 2021 NAB AFLW U19 Championships All-Australian Team
BACKS: Chloe Leonard (Victoria Country/GWV Rebels), Isadora McLeay (Allies/Sydney Swans Academy), Jaide Anthony (Victoria Country/Dandenong Stingrays)
HALF BACKS: Maggie Harmer (Queensland/Maroochydore), Lauren Young (South Australia/South Adelaide), Annie Lee (Victoria Country/Geelong Falcons)
CENTRES: Aurora Smith (Victoria Country/Murray Bushrangers), Teagan Levi (Queensland/Bond University), Courtney Rowley (Western Australia/Peel Thunder)
HALF FORWARDS: Jess Doyle (Allies/Sydney Swans Academy), Ella Roberts (Western Australia/Peel Thunder), Stella Reid (Victoria Metro, Oakleigh Chargers)
FULL FORWARDS: Paige Scott (Victoria Country/GWV Rebels), Cynthia Hamilton (Allies, GWS GIANTS Academy), Georgia Campbell (Victoria Metro/Eastern Ranges)
FOLLOWERS: Zoe Prowse (South Australia/Sturt), Charlie Rowbottom (Victoria Metro/Oakleigh Chargers), Georgie Prespakis (Victoria Metro/Calder Cannons)
INTERCHANGE: Makaela Tuhakaraina (Western Australia/South Fremantle), Tahlia Gillard (Victoria Metro/Calder Cannons), Tara Slender (Victoria Country/Bendigo Pioneers), Zoe Venning (South Australia/West Adelaide)
COACH: Melissa Hickey (Victoria Country/Geelong Falcons)
State MVP awards were awarded at the conclusion of the Championships.
ALLIES: Cynthia Hamilton
South Australia: Lauren Young
Queensland: Abby Hewitt
Western Australia: Ella Roberts
Victoria Country: Jaide Anthony
Victoria Metro: TBA
The 2021 NAB AFLW U19 Championships All-Australian Team was selected by a panel, comprising the following:
Kevin Sheehan (Chair, AFL)
Tarkyn Lockyer (AFL)
Sam Virgo (Queensland/Gold Coast SUNS)
Trent Mosbey (Richmond)
Todd Patterson (Melbourne)
Jess Smith (AFL)
Teagan Levi:
Clubs: Bond University/Broadbeach/Burleigh
Date of Birth 14/08/03
Height 169cm
Midfield who is a prolific ball winner and has a neat step through traffic. Super athletic player with speed, agility, strength in one on ones and was a standout against Victoria Country having 17 disposals and laying 9 tackles. A multi sports athlete being a National level Rugby 7s player she is also a member of the NAB AFLW Academy.
Maggie Harmer:
Clubs: Maroochydore/Noosa
Date of Birth 12/04/03
Height 170cm
Smooth moving defender who marks well overhead and shows good speed out of defence. Linked up well rebounding for her team having 15 disposals (8 contested) 5 marks and 5 tackles in an eye catching performance against Victoria Country being one of Queensland’s best players. Member of the NAB AFLW Academy.
The AFL is pleased to announce the 2021 NAB AFL Women’s Draft will take place at 6:45pm AEST on Tuesday, July 27, 2021.
The NAB AFLW Draft remains State-based with players who nominate for the Draft electing the State they wish to play in. Some Clubs also have a specific region within their State to develop talent.
Key dates for the 2021 NAB AFLW Draft Period:
Rookie Signing Period:
Closes on Wednesday July 21, 2.00pm
Please note: This will also be the closing period for the Gold Coast SUNS and Geelong Cats to add up to two mature aged players to their lists, per the special assistance provided by the AFL Commission last month.
NAB AFLW Draft Nominations Period:
Monday June 21 – Friday July 16
NAB AFLW Draft
Tuesday July 27, 6:45pm AEST
Please note: While the situation relating to COVID-19 remains ongoing, the AFL advises these dates are subject to change.
The NAB AFLW Draft is part of the NAB AFLW Rising Stars Program, which supports grassroots players and football communities and helps young Australians fulfill their dream of playing in the AFLW. The NAB AFLW Rising Stars Program comprises the following elements:
• NAB AFLW Rising Star
• NAB AFLW Draft
• NAB AFLW Draft Combine
• NAB AFLW Trade Period
• NAB AFLW Academy
• NAB AFLW Under-18 Championships
• NAB AFLW Under-16 Championships
NAB has proudly supported footy for over a decade, providing boys and girls with a clear pathway from NAB AFL Auskick to the big time.
