Northern Country Women's League has announced its first Youth Girls Team of the Decade — with a raft of elite-level talent in its ranks.
The squad of 24 was announced at a ceremony Friday night after the initial squad of 40 girls came out earlier in the week.
Of those enshrined in the final team, no fewer than 10 have experience at AFLW level, representing significant benefits for the league as a pathway since its inception.
More than half of the remainder — eight out of the other 14 — have enjoyed stints at VFLW clubs.
The numbers are remarkable, given that neither AFLW nor VFLW existed at the beginning of the NCWL’s 2013-23 decade.
By that token, the side is geared towards those who have made their mark in latter years, with seven entrants aged 21 or younger.
TEAM OF THE DECADE - GV PLAYERS
Millie Brown (Mooroopna), Amy Duguid (Shepparton Notre), Georgia Gall (Euroa/Seymour), Tamara Smith (Mooroopna), Kate Adams (Shepparton United), Aurora Smith (Euroa/Shepparton United), Rebecca Webster (Kyabram/Mooroopna, captain), Keeley Skepper (Benalla/Shepparton United), Molly Tancred (Mooroopna/Shepparton United), Olivia Cicolini (Shepparton United), Madison Gray (Shepparton Swans), Reni Hicks (Kyabram), Tali Verhoeven (Shepparton Notre), Grace Egan (Shepparton Notre), Sophie Damon (Shepparton Notre), Alexandra Mulcahy (Kyabram/Mooroopna), Teagan Brett (Shepparton Notre), Tayissa Gray (Benalla/Shepparton Swans), Jayda Richardson (Tatura), Abby Favaro (Shepparton Notre), Sophie Locke (Euroa/Seymour)
Benalla export Rebecca Webster, who played at Kyabram and Mooroopna in her Youth Girls days before moving onto Geelong’s AFLW list, is named captain of the representative side.
Dean Walton spent five years in charge of Shepparton United's Youth Girls side, among wearing many other hats, and received a top honour as Team of the Decade Coach.
“It’s the greatest honour I’ve ever received as a coach. I was really proud to be chosen and it’s a team I'd love to coach,” Walton said.
“I was lucky enough to be the coach at Shepp United when we started our Youth Girls journey in 2017 and I had really good support from the club and families of all our first-year players.
“It was a great honour, but it was even more enjoyable to hear the girls who made the final 24 and know you”ve played a part in their football journeys.“
Walton has since moved into the Murray Bushrangers’ program, continuing his long-standing focus on elevating the region“s best female footballers.
Having broadened his portfolio coaching Northern Country’s interleague side and taking on V/Line Cup duties, Walton is keen to continue building up the area as a key production line of talent.
“We’re starting to see numbers increase in the league again, but I’m still advocating for girls to get involved through my work with the Bushrangers,” Walton said.
“It’s a good sport and it’s a safe sport.
“The sports where you have a large number of teammates are great for building lifelong friendships.
“You listen to the superstar AFL players saying that and it’s true.’’