AN underage Q-Clash between Brisbane and Gold Coast Academies will kick off on Sunday afternoon in the first of two AFLW Under 17 Championship clashes between the sides. The second game will take place on Wednesday with a short turnaround, but both sides have plenty of impressive players to keep an eye on. Both the Lions Academy and Suns Academy will be coached by recently retired AFLW star Lauren Arnell in more of an exhibition clash than anything else.

From a 2022 AFLW Draft perspective, Alana Gee and Charlotte Mullins loom as the two prospects to really keep an eye on in the clash. Hailing from Mackay, Gee is a member of the Gold Coast Suns Academy, standing at 169cm. A balanced midfielder who can use either foot, her work rate in very impressive. Whilst she is a natural inside midfielder coming through the program, she showed an adaptability to roll into an outside position and even as a running defender in 2020.

Mullins is a versatile talent out of the Brisbane Lions Academy who has been plying her trade for Aspley in the QAFL Women’s competition. Mullins is a lively player around the ball who applies great defensive pressure, and was a clever forward when these sides played last year. As an Under 16s talent, she held her own then, and continued to improve through her bottom-age year, with the 165cm midfielder expected to spend more time in there this year, and lead the Lions group.

Fleur Davies, a taller and younger sister of recently drafted Suns Academy talent Giselle, is another one to keep an eye on. Like her older sister, Davies is capable of playing up either end, but played forward for the Lions last year, and pinch-hit in the ruck. She had experience at the AFLW Under 19 Championships, and at 185cm is a genuine key position player who will outmark most opponents when reading it well. Still a raw talent, Davies has plenty of upside and will be one to watch.

Not playing in this clash, bottom-age talent Ella Smith is another name to remember for Queensland prospects, and is another Brisbane Lions Academy talent. From a Brisbane Academy perspective, 171cm Aspley youngster Kadie Fletcher who had an outstanding debut season at senior level year year, and Wilston Grange talent Brooke Sheridan are others who were able to make the Queensland Under 19s squad in their bottom-age years. The Suns also had another bottom-age representative with Gee and Davies in this year’s Under 19s program, with Imogen Evans impressing onball for Queensland, picking up 12 disposals, five tackles, three clearances and booting a goal in the loss to Vic Country.

While the Queensland Academy squads are made up of 2022 and 2023 AFLW Draft talents, there are three 2006-born players named for the Suns. Tara Harrington, Nyalli Milne and Havana Harris are ones to keep in mind for a few years away, with the latter two playing at Burleigh, and Harrington out at Broadbeach. Whilst the result in the match does not really matter, the lack of Under 19s carnival for the Queensland girls will mean these games will provide them with some more experience at a higher level.

>> Watch Brisbane Lions vs. Gold Coast Suns AFLW Under 17s Academy clash

Team: Brisbane Lions
Coach: Lauren Arnell
Team Manager: Jason Torney

Team: Gold Coast Suns
Coach: Lauren Arnell
Team Manager: Jason Torney