Lilly on the path to AFLW future

AFL NSW/ACT: NAB AFL Women's Under 18s Championships; NSW ACT vs Tasmania. June 3, 2018. Blacktown International Sportspark, Blacktown, NSW, Australia. Photo: Narelle Spangher, AFL NSW/ACT

 

The AFL has announced the 2019 NAB AFL Women’s Academy squad with the Grafton Tigers’ Lilly Doyle one of three NSW/ACT players selected.

Forty-eight players from across the country have been named in the third intake of the Academy, which features a two tier program. Lilly has been selected in the Level Two squad which is the top level of the program, designed for athletes that are likely to be considered for the AFLW draft within the next 12 months.

This caps a great year for Lilly who was selected in the NSW/ACT Youth Girls team for the second successive year. The team played two matches against Tasmania, winning both convincingly with Lilly as the team’s leading goal kicker, earning her selection in the Eastern Allies (combined NSW/ACT and Tasmania). The Allies competed at the National Championships where Lilly’s performances in the team’s three matches caught the attention of the AFLW Academy Advisory Group which features representatives of AFL staff and AFLW clubs.

Academy members will receive a NAB AFL Women’s Academy scholarship that provides high performance camps and personal development opportunities over a 12-month period.

The first of three camps will be held at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra from December 16. The players will also join AFLW club training sessions throughout the pre-season.

AFL NSW/ACT Female Talent Manager, Ash Moeller says that selection in the NAB AFL Women’s Academy is due recognition for Lilly’s efforts.

“Lilly impressed at the 2018 NAB AFL Women’s Under-18 Championships on the Gold Coast and deserves this great opportunity.”

AFLW Talent Manager Aasta O’Connor said after just two years the NAB AFLW Academy is achieving great results.

“At the recent NAB AFLW Draft, 19 Academy players joined AFLW clubs,” Ms O’Connor said.

“With four further expansion teams entering the AFLW competition in 2020, the high performance coaching we provide these players is even more important.”

Last month Brianna McFarlane (Yamba) was signed by the Brisbane Lions AFLW team as an other sport rookie. With Georgia Breward (Lawrence) recently resuming running following a knee reconstruction the Clarence Valley could soon have three locals plying their trade in the AFLW competition.