South Australians selected for 2024 Marsh AFL Futures Girls Program

By ZAC MILBANK

Eight South Australians have been selected for the 2024 Marsh AFL Girls National Futures Program, culminating in a showcase match on Saturday August 31.

Among 49 of Australia’s most talented Under-17 female footballers, the Croweaters will have the opportunity to play in a curtain-raiser to the opening round AFLW clash between Geelong and Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium in Geelong.

Sturt (Monique Bessen and Sophie Thredgold) and Central District (Sophie Eaton and Mikaylah Antony) have two players selected while Glenelg (Eloise Mackereth), South Adelaide (Lily Baxter), North Adelaide (Sarcha Taylor) and West Adelaide (Chloe Tonkin) have one representative each.

All players are born in 2007 and will be eligible for selection in next year’s Telstra AFLW Draft following the 2025 NAB AFLW season.

The Marsh AFL National Futures Girls program provides next year’s draft prospects an opportunity to experience a high-performance environment and showcase their talent ahead of their draft year.

A number of players who feature in the 2024 Marsh AFL National Futures Girls program will go on to form the 2025 Marsh AFL National Academy Girls program.

Players were nominated by state talent programs, national selectors and AFLW clubs, with all states and territories represented.

The Marsh AFL National Futures Girls squad will arrive for a camp on Friday August 30 with Saturday’s match the feature of the three-day program.