Introducing your NSW/ACT girls Allies 2023
The Allies will open their campaign in the 2023 AFL National Championships – U18 Girls on Sunday, 2 July with 16 girls representing NSW and ACT in the squad.
The Allies comprises the best U18 talent from NSW, ACT, NT and Tasmania. The team takes on interstate rivals Vic Metro, Queensland and Western Australia throughout the tournament.
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See details on the 2023 National Championships here including selections and how to watch.
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We wanted to get to know our next crop of local (and possibly AFLW) superstars. See below for a brief overview of our players raring to take on the best of their age in the country.
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Marnie Robinson
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Club: UTS Bats/Newcastle City/Sydney Swans Academy
Height: 172cm
Allies jumper number: 27
Nickname: Marns
Position: High defender/midfielder
Model my game on: I watch many players and try and takeaway different parts of their game but I love Brayden Maynard’s physicality and contesting of the ball and hope to play like that.
What do you want to get out of the National Championships: To showcase my talent and play my best footy with full confidence and effort. Also to develop my skills and knowledge as a player by learning off different coaches and players.
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Tamika Rourke
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Club: Narrandera Eagles, GIANTS Academy, Murray Bushranger
Height: 175cm
Allies jumper number: 25
Nickname: Rourkey
Position: Half-forward/midfield
Model my game on: I’m told I have similarities to Georgia Garnett and I try to model my game around hers.
What do you want to get out of the National Championships: I want to improve my game skills at a higher level and at a faster pace.
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Ashley Patton
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Club: Tuggeranong/GIANT Academy
Height: 171cm
Allies jumper number: 23
Nickname: Patto
Position: Midfield/forawrd
Model my game on: Scott Pendlebury
What do you want to get out of the National Championships: To show my skills and try to get drafed.
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Holly Cooper
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Club: Manly Warringah Wolves/Sydney Swans Academy
Height: 164cm
Allies jumper number: 7
Nickname: Coops
Position: Midfielder
Model my game on: Brooke Lochland, she’s fast and creative, and a great team leader and role model!
What do you want to get out of the National Championships: I want to get out as much learning as I can about my game, working as a team and taking on board and listening to the experience of the coaches!
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Emma Juneja
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Club: East Sydney/Sydney Swans Academy
Height: 170cm
Allies jumper number: 11
Nickname: EJ
Position: Wing
Model my game on: Errol Gulden and Josh Daicos.
What do you want to get out of the National Championships: To play high level footy, improve my game and learn from other great players.
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Cleo Buttifant
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Club: Ainslie/Turvey Park/GIANTS Academy
Height: 174cm
Allies jumper number: 18
Nickname: Butters
Position: Back
Model my game on: Nick Blakey, Adam Saad – I like the way they both take the game on.
What do you want to get out of the National Championships: I want to enjoy every part of the experience and be able to learn lots of new things. I also want to always put my best foot forward and get the chance to develop my skills against very high level competition and hopefully get away with a win.
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Megan Mifsud
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Club: Macquarie University/GIANTS Academy
Height: 164cm
Allies jumper number: 22
Nickname: Miffy or Lil Bull
Position: Half forward/midfielder
Model my game on: Toby Greene or Christian Petracca
What do you want to get out of the National Championships: To compete against the best in the country, learn a lot and make many memories.
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Alice Voss
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Club: Lavington/Murray Bushrangers
Height: 172cm
Allies jumper number: 16
Nickname: Vossy
Position: Key defender
Model my game on: Esava Ratugolea, Dane Swan.
What do you want to get out of the National Championships: Exposure to an elite level of coaching and playing.
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Olivia Morris
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Club: Pennant Hills/Sydney Swans Academy
Height: 165cm
Allies jumper number: 12
Nickname: Liv
Position: Inside midfielder
Model my game on: Lauren Szigeti
What do you want to get out of the National Championships: Showcase my skills and take in the experience. Have fun playing footy and make new friends.
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Emma Suckling
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Club: Lavington/Belconnen/GIANTS Academy/Murray Bushrangers
Height: 164cm
Allies jumper number: 14
Nickname: Suckas
Position: Midfielder/utility
Model my game on: Bella Dawes.
What do you want to get out of the National Championships: Enjoy the experience and prove myself to be able to play with and against the best of the best.
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Gabby Eaton
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Club: Gabs
Height: 178cm
Allies jumper number: 21
Nickname: Gabs
Position: Key defender
Model my game on: Sarah Allen.
What do you want to get out of the National Championships: I hope to make long lasting friendships with all the girls and learn different playing styles/tactics from my teammates and coaches for other academies.
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Kendra Blattman
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Club: Sydney University/Sydney Swans Academy
Height: 177cm
Allies jumper number: 32
Nickname: Kenny
Position: Ruck/forward
Model my game on: Bec Privitelli and Kate Shierlaw.
What do you want to get out of the National Championships: To play the best footy against the best girls from all around Australia and hopefully win some games, while also making great friendships.
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Sophia de Castella
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Club: Ainslie/GIANTS Academy
Height: 164cm
Allies jumper number: 8
Nickname: Soph
Position: Midfielder/forward
Model my game on: Powerful mids like Christian Petracca and Jordan DeGoey.
What do you want to get out of the National Championships: To attain experience from all the the talented players and coaches while competing and playing amongst the best.
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Serina Baukes
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Club: UTS Bats/Sydney Swans Academy
Height: 171cm
Allies jumper number: 31
Nickname: Big Dog
Position: Defender
Model my game on: Dane Rampe and Darcy Moore
What do you want to get out of the National Championships: To gain exposure to high levels of footy and to develop my own game with guidance from all the coaches as well as having the opportunity to play with girls who share the same passion for footy!
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Melanie Staunton
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Club: Ulladulla/East Coast Eagles/GIANTS Academy
Height: 169cm
Allies jumper number: 26
Nickname: Mel
Position: Centre
Model my game on: Alyce Parker
What do you want to get out of the National Championships: I want to create many of friendships and memories with new people from across the country. Along with connections, I would love to learn more high performance habits that are taught throughout the championships, which will help me develop both on and off the field as an athlete.
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Asha Turner Funk
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Club: Manly Warringah Wolves/Sydney Swans Academy
Height: 176cm
Allies jumper number: 17
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