MSA Historic Football Double

In the final week of term 1, at the home of the Matildas, Maribyrnong Sports Academy (MSA) etched their names into the history books securing both the boys' and girls' Football premier league titles in a stunning clean sweep.

The dual victories mark a significant milestone for MSA, showcasing the immense depth of talent and tactical versatility within their Football program.

Girls set the pitch alight with 9-1 masterclass

The double was set in motion earlier in the day by the MSA girls’ squad, who turned the home of the Matildas into their own personal highlight reel.

Facing off against a formidable Rowville Secondary College, the MSA girls delivered a clinical 9-1 performance. From the opening whistle, the teamwork and skill level were next level, leaving little room for a Rowville comeback.

The scoreline reflected a dominant season for the MSA girls, who appeared unfazed by the pressure of the big stage, celebrating their silverware at one of the country’s most iconic Football venues.

Boys secure back-to-back titles in gritty finale

The boys’ grand final was a masterclass in defensive composure and high-stakes tension. MSA secured a 1-0 victory in what can only be described as a tactical, gritty battle to retain their trophy and secure back-to-back championships.

While the margin was slim, the stakes could not have been higher. MSA managed to find the decisive breakthrough, holding firm against a relentless Western Heights College side. Despite Western Heights having a shorter bench and fewer rotations, they pushed the reigning champions to the final whistle in a display of incredible heart and endurance.

"Huge respect to Western Heights College," an MSA representative noted. "They pushed us to the very final second. It was a true display of sportsmanship."

A year of dominance

With two trophies returning to MSA this year, makes them the current benchmark for school-level Football.

The sweep is a testament not only to the players who stayed composed under pressure but also to the coaching staff and families who have supported the program throughout this year’s premier league campaign.

Final scores:

• Girls: MSA 9 – 1 Rowville Secondary College

• Boys: MSA 1 – 0 Western Heights College

Story Credit: School Sport Victoria

AFLW 2025, Season 10 preview

The 2025 AFLW kicks off tomorrow and MSA is represented by 10 past students and 1 current staff member as players in the 10th edition of the competition.

Let’s find out a few things about these players that you may or may not have known.

Monique Conti – Richmond

• Conti is a key midfielder for the Tigers, known for her exceptional skills and leadership. 

·       She highlights the improvement of the younger players in the Richmond squad and their potential to make a strong impact. 

• Conti believes the team has a strong chance to compete in the finals again in 2025. 

·       She balances her AFLW career with basketball, playing for Geelong United in the WNBL. 

• Conti is a five-time All Australian and has won seven club best and fairest awards, six with Richmond and one with the Western Bulldogs. She also won the AFLW League Best and Fairest in 2023, and a premiership with the Bulldogs in 2018

Ellie McKenzie – Richmond

• No. 1 pick in the 2020 draft.

• Early career decorated with league awards and recognition.

• Resilient comeback from injuries in 2024.

• Commitment to the club through to the end of 2026.

• Engaged in both community and football development roles.

Sierra Grieves - Richmond

·       Co-captained Victoria Metro to the U18 National Championships title, going undefeated.

·       Claimed the Best & Fairest (MVP) for the carnival after averaging 28.3 disposals, 6.7 clearances, and 4 tackles per game.

·       Named in the All-Australian U18 team, Vic Metro MVP, Coates Talent League Team of the Year, and won the Western Jets Best & Fairest.

·       Taken with Richmond’s first pick in the draft at pick #11.

Libby Birch – Nth Melbourne

Premiership Player with:

·       Western Bulldogs (2018), Melbourne (Season 7, 2022), North Melbourne (2024) — making her the first AFLW player to win flags with three different clubs.

·       Twice named in the AFLW All-Australian Team (2020, Season 6 in 2022).

·       Her leadership and defensive experience have been hailed as a significant boost to North Melbourne’s ambitions of winning back-to-back flags.

Amy Smith – Nth Melbourne

·       Made history as the club’s first-ever father–daughter selection, with her father Shaun having played 47 games for the men's team

·       Amy is valued for her running capacity and adaptability. She can perform effectively across the field—whether on the wing or in a lockdown midfield role—and has steadily improved since joining Arden Street.

·       Before turning to football, Amy was a talented basketballer in the Big V competition.

Aliesha Newman – GWS Giants

·       Has played for 4 AFLW clubs.  Melbourne, Collingwood, Sydney Swans and now the Giants

·       Known for her explosive speed and agility, Newman is a versatile small forward who can also play on the wing. She has accumulated over 60 AFLW games and 24 goals across her career, including a standout performance in 2018 when she won the AFLW Goal of the Year award.

Georgie Prespakis – Geelong

·       In 2023, she claimed her first Geelong Cats AFLW Best and Fairest award, averaging 24.2 disposals, 7.2 tackles, and 6.6 clearances per game.

·       Prespakis is known for her elite clearance work and relentless pressure, making her a dynamic midfielder for the Geelong Cats.

·       In 2025, Prespakis is expected to continue her dominant midfield presence, contributing significantly to Geelong's aspirations for a successful campaign.

Georgia Patrikios – St Kilda

·      In her inaugural season, she earned a Rising Star nomination in Round 1 and was voted AFLPA Best First-Year Player by her peers.

·      St Kilda’s Best & Fairest in both 2020 and 2021, was named in the 2021 AFLW All-Australian team, and featured in the 22Under22 team in 2020 and 2021.

·      Heading into season 10, she continues to stand out as one of the league’s most promising talents—both as a ball-winner and as a key part of St Kilda’s engine room.

Charlotte Baskaran – Hawthorn

·      Played all 20 of Hawthorn’s historic AFLW games across her initial seasons, even while completing Year 12 in her debut year

·      In December 2024, Baskaran was officially traded to St Kilda, signing a three-year deal. Hawthorn exchanged her and pick No. 32 in return for picks 26 and 44

·      Represented Vic Metro, earning All-Australian honours at under-18 level

Jess Fitzgerald – Western Bulldogs

·      Jess has not missed a match since playing her debut through to the start of season 10 this year, affirming her reliability and durability

·      Best Young Player (club award), 2021, 2023 , 2022 S7: Community Award & Coaches’ Award.

·      In mid-2024, Fitzgerald was being transitioned into a half-back role—bringing her ball-distribution skills from defence to spark her side’s rebound play

Lauren Aherns – Western Bulldogs (Current Staff Member)

·      Ahrens began her AFLW career with the Gold Coast Suns, debuting in Round 1, 2020 at Blacktown ISP Oval

·      Her standout season came in 2021, when she won the Gold Coast’s Club Champion award—recognised as the club’s best & fairest player—thanks in part to leading the league in average metres gained (321.1 per game)

·      In the 2024 AFLW season, she played 7 games for the Bulldogs, averaging approximately 11.7 disposals and 2.3 marks per game

Calvin Payne at the Western Bulldogs and Tennille Cuttiford at Geelong are also former  

S and C coaches who left MSA to take up their roles at their specific clubs.

Chat with Leon Harris - Brisbane Lions recruiter

A long-time club recruiter for the Brisbane Lions dropped in to say hi to some of his old workmates at MSA this week. Leon Harris was the first head coach of the AFL program here at MSA, and we spoke to him about the world of recruiting in the AFL today.

We started by asking him if he believes AFL clubs have changed what they are looking for in a footballer.

“Yes and no,” said Harris. “We are still looking for the most talented players we can possibly get. When I first started with the Lions, we were at the bottom of the ladder and had early picks and multiple picks. Things have really changed in that area for us—as it does with success. We now have later picks and fewer of them. What has really worked for us is the father-son rule in the AFL and our academy—being able to get the Ashcroft boys and Jaspa Fletcher.  But back to your question: talented players will always get a look-in. We still need talented players with good football IQ.”

Harris also spoke about the U16 and U18 national competitions and the role they play in helping selectors find players.
“The national competitions are now back to where they were prior to COVID, which is great after losing their way a little bit. Back in the day when I was coaching the Vic Metro team, the tournament was all over and done within 10 days. Now, it’s spread over six weekends. This weekend is the first, with SA playing the Allies in Sydney. All the AFL recruiters will be getting their folders out and hopping onto the circuit for the next six weeks, following the national games.”

Leon’s advice to our group of AFL students is to do your best at every opportunity you get.  “If you do your best, you give yourself a chance to stand out. There’s no doubt it’s not easy to get drafted, but MSA has had some great examples of players being drafted from here. Zak Butters and Touk Miller are just a couple of players who have been great for their clubs over a period. They are fantastic role models, and a few others are really starting to find their way.”

“We have Tom McGuane and Jackson Barber playing for Vic Metro Under-18s this year. Griffin Barker, Slayde Law, Ollie Castro, and Archie King are in the U16s, and Braith Lafaiali’i is in the Vic Metro U15s. There is great talent at the school now in both the boys’ and girls’ squads, and they all give themselves a chance to become draftable players.”

One player who has really worked hard and taken his opportunity is Buku Khamis from the Western Bulldogs.  “Yeah, Buku has really kicked on this year. He’s been given an opportunity to play consistently, and he’s put 6 to 8 games together giving himself a chance to have a good career. That’s exactly what Buku is doing at the moment, which is great.”

Leon Harris played 186 with Fitzroy, before becoming one of the AFL’s leading authorities on junior players.