Teammates turn rivals in championships tune-up

LOCAL  AFLW draft hopefuls Ava Bilyk and Greea McKeegan lined up on opposite sides in a showcase match ahead of the AFL Under 18 Girls National Championships.

The Geelong Falcons teammates represented the All Stars and AFLW National Academy respectively in a closely contested clash at Dingley’s Kennedy Community Centre on Sunday.

The All Stars secured a 4-point win after establishing an early advantage with four first-quarter goals.

Their strong start was built on midfield dominance, while the Academy side took time to adjust to the contested battle and generate attacking opportunities.

Bilyk collected 19 disposals and kicked a goal during the matchup, becoming increasingly influential as the match wore on.

The explosive midfielder played a key role as the All Stars surged late to claim victory.

McKeegan worked hard up the ground for the Academy, taking strong marks and using her strength around the contest to provide a consistent presence.

Marsh AFL National Academy manager Tarkyn Lockyer said the match was an ideal lead-in to the national carnival.

“Wearing the Australia jumper and representing the Australia under-18 team is a huge honour for any player and we are delighted to provide our Marsh AFL National Academy participants the opportunity to do that again,” he said.

“We’re thrilled to also give more players in our pathways programs the opportunity to showcase their talent and gain an additional development experience by representing the All Stars team in what will be an exciting contest on Sunday.”

The Under 18 National Championships takes place 13-14 June.