Three players from the Brisbane Lions U16 girls Academy side have been in the All-Australian team following the conclusion of the 2024 Marsh AFL National Development Championships. 

Midfielders Molly Ferguson, Mia Geere and forward Harlee McIlwain have all been rewarded with selections after stellar campaigns for the Lions Academy during the Championships. 

Ferguson was named best and fairest of pool A and was a prolific ball winner across both matches for the Lions, averaging 30.5 disposals at 70 per cent efficiency. 

Ferguson also averaged 3.5 clearances and four tackles and was named vice-captain of the All-Australian team for 2024. 

Winger, Geere becomes a two-time All-Australian at U16 level after being selected last year. 

The versatile winger, who also played off half-back, followed up her performance by averaging 22 disposals, 6.5 marks and 6.5 inside 50s for the Lions across the Championships 2024. 

Selected at full-forward, McIlwain was a standout during the championships booing 12 goals across two games. 

Possessing skills at ground level along with a strong overhead mark, McIlwain produced one of the highlight performances of the competition when the Lions took on the Gold Coast SUNS, collecting 27 possessions, taking 10 marks and kicking a record 10 goals. 

After being crowned champions of Pool B in the 2023 National Development Championships U16 Girls, the Lions were promoted to Pool A for the 2024 iteration finishing second. 

In their two championship games, the Lions lost their opening game to Victoria County 5. 4 (34) to the Lions 4. 4 (28) in an enthralling contest. 

The Lions bounced back in their second outing booting 20 goals to two against the Gold Coast SUNS in the 20.14 (134) to 2.1 (13) win. 

In a game where McIlwain booted 10 goals and Edie Fraser kicked four majors to power Brisbane to victory and hold on the second spot in the 2024 Marsh National Development Championships U16 Girls.