The 2023 AFL National Championship U18 Girls All-Australian Team was announced by the AFL today and QBE Sydney Swans Academy product Marnie Robinson was named in the side. 

The up-and-coming defender represented the Allies squad (made up of players and coaches from NSW/ACT, Northern Territory and Tasmania) at the recent U18 National Championships and won the MVP award for her side.

Best known for playing in the back pocket she had particularly strong matches against Queensland and Western Australia, averaging 11 disposals, four tackles and three rebounds. 

Hailing from Newcastle and playing for UTS in the AFL Sydney competition, Robinson first picked up the footy at 12 years-old. Despite mainly playing netball at the time, she impressed at the Paul Kelly Cup and successfully trialed for the QBE Sydney Swans Academy. 

QBE Sydney Swans Academy U18 Girls coach Nick Davis, who has been part of her junior progression, said Robinson was highly regarded in the QBE Swans Academy program, not just as an athlete but also as a leader and her All-Australian selection is well-deserved.

"Being named all-Australian for Marnie is a fitting result to a really consistent U18 season," Davis said.

"She was a strong leader for our Coates League U18s and followed this up with her performances against the country's best U18 talent, being named MVP for the Allies.

Her performance at national level was no surprise to us.

 

Allies assistant coach Bronwyn Gulden, who also serves as the QBE Swans Academy U16 Female coach and Swans AFLW line coach, echoed Davis' thoughts.

"Facing highly talented opposition each game, she was the standout defender in the team with her contest wins, leadership and offensive play, Gulden said.

"She is an extremely tough and competitive player, she also captained the team in game two and she certainly deserved her All-Australian selection."

Marnie Robinson during the AFL National Championships U18 match between Allies and Western Australia at Blacktown International Sportspark in August.

The AFL National Championships – U18 Girls are the highest level of state and territory representative football featuring the country’s most talented under 18 girls footballers.
 
The Championships were contested by six teams, with South Australia taking out the title from Queensland, Western Australia, Victoria Metro, Victoria Country and the Allies.

Each team played three matches at the Championships, with games played across the country between April and August.

Robinson is eligible for the 2023 NAB AFLW Draft which will take place later this year.

She was one of eight QBE Swans Academy players to feature in the Allies squad this year, including Holly Cooper, Emma Juneja, Olivia Morris, Gabrielle Eaton, Asha Turner Funk, Serina Baukes and Kendra Blattman.

She joins fellow Academy player Caiden Cleary who was named in the U18 Boys All-Australian team last month.