AFLW talent scouts are probably starting to think there’s magic in the water at The Canal.
Some of the best female footballers in the country have caught the eye of recruiters while plying their trade for the Bull Sharks.
Players such as Gold Coast Suns captain Lucy Single, three-time all-Australian Havana Harris, and ALFW prodigy turned rugby sevens superstar Maddison Levi.
And most recently, ruck Maisy Evans, who was drafted to the GWS Giants earlier this month.
Now, three young Bull Sharks have the opportunity to follow in their footsteps.
Amelia Ella, Anna Powell and Summer Browning have been selected in the under 18’s side to represent Queensland in the 2026 Marsh AFL National Championship to be held over June and July.
Bond University Head of Football and QAFLW premiership winning coach Andy Lovell says the opportunity will allow his charges to showcase their skills in front of recruiters, a rare privilege for players outside the football-centric Melbourne bubble.
“The selection is a reward for their recent form and provides an opportunity for those girls to showcase their skills on the national stag,” Lovell said.
“The girls who have come through the program and onto AFLW have been really strong role models and show there’s real opportunity to get seen and be drafted”
Lovell says each of the selected players will bring a unique and valuable set of skills to the Queensland squad.
“Amelia is really dynamic and a natural goal kicker. She’s been in great form, averaging 25 possessions a game and one to two goals per match.
“Anna’s been playing and has a really strong overhead mark – she is developing quickly considering she’s only been playing for three years.
“And Summer is a skilful and classy winger or half-forward who plays a strong, contested brand of footy and uses the ball really well.”
The competition will be held in premium locations, providing players the chance to run out onto the Geelong Cats’ GHMBA stadium and the Brisbane Lions AFLW’s Brighton Homes Arena.
It’s been a particularly big few weeks for small forward Amelia Ella, who also recently named in the Gold Coast Suns train-on squad.
The Bull Sharks eight-gamer felt inspired after her first training session with the team last week.
“The experience was everything I imagined and more,” Ella said.
“The intensity and expectations were high and getting to see the full squad in motion got me so excited and motivated to keep pushing to be the best.
“My favourite part was getting to train alongside [former AFLW number one draft pick] Charlie Rowbottom.”
Ella said the under 18’s selection could help her edge closer to a more permanent position in professional football.
“This is an extra chance to show the draft what I have to give on the footy field,” Ella said.
“I’ll be giving this opportunity my absolute all no matter what.”