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For two years, women who played Aussie Rules in the USA were only represented at the National Championships by singular exhibition games.
The first of which was at the 2003 tournament in Kansas City. The Orange County Bombshells faced off against a team of All-Comers in a game that was played with the “wrap rule” in lieu of tackling. OC won that game, 61-17. The following year in Atlanta, the players were drafted onto two sides who played a spirited contest that was decided by a straight kick.
But by 2005, several teams around the country had taken shape alongside the brethren in several cities and, led by inaugural women’s coordinator Kat Hogg, 34 women made the journey to Milwaukee to take part in the first ever Women’s Division at the USAFL Nationals.
Playing nine-a-side, three teams – the Atlanta Kookaburras, Arizona Hawks, and an all-comers side known as the Florida Fusion – squared off over the two days at the carnival. The Kookas were crowned the first National Champions, running out 28-point winners over the Fusion.
Year after year passed. With each passing revolution of the sun, new seeds began to sprout in different outposts across America and with it, the Women’s Division gained more teams and became more competitive. Atlanta would win three titles in a row before another set of Kookaburras, these from Calgary, ended the streak in the cold of Colorado Springs.
By 2015 the Denver Bulldogs were riding the crest of a six-year dynasty and the USAFL celebrated the tenth anniversary of the women’s tournament by adding a second division. Whereas Division 1 was made up of full teams, Division 2 contained members of partial squads as the number of women’s programs in both the USA and Canada neared two dozen. The Doggies would win their sixth title – just barely – while the Calgary/Portland/Vancouver would win the first ever D2 premiership.
As the numbers grew, so did the skills. More and more players were taking up Aussie Rules, and some were even going to Australia to play locally. And the competition was getting the attention of those overseas too. Women’s football legend Chyloe Kurdas made several trips to Nationals and was impressed by the talent overseas. Before she was an AFLW premiership player with Brisbane, Jess Wuetschner spent two months with the Boston Demons and played at that 2015 tournament. Melbourne and GWS Player Katherine Smith, Adelaide champion player Sarah Perkins, and Hall-of-Famer Erin Phillips have all made appearances as guests as well.
One dynasty gave way to another in Div 1, as the San Francisco, now Golden Gate, Iron Maidens outlasted Denver in a classic to begin their own run of seven-in-a-row. They, in turn, fell to Minnesota last season, as they finally captured their first women’s trophy at Nationals after 14 seasons as a stand-alone entity. Division 2 saw Portland win three in a row from 2015-17 with various combinations, and later Austin would do the same, raising the cup in 2022, 2023, and 2024. Coincidentally, last year they were teamed with the Sockeyes.
Twenty years, thousands of athletes, coaches, volunteers, and umpires later, the women’s events at Nationals have produced some of the most magical, memorable, and enthralling contests in the nearly three-decade history of this carnival.
And 2025 proves to be no different.
It’s fitting in a sense that we celebrate this milestone in the home state of one of those three pioneer clubs, the Arizona Hawks. Tucson’s Kino South Sports Complex will provide a perfect backdrop for a historic occasion, one that has an equally historic format.
As in all, bar one, of the last nine Nationals, there will be two women’s divisions. However, due to the number of combo teams in this year’s tournament, there will be a new and exciting format. The eight teams have been seeded into an AFL / AFLW style bracket, with the teams playing their way into either the Division 1 or Division 2 semifinals.
Amongst the top four seeds are those who have been perennially in Division 1 since the growth into the dual-tier format. This includes the three clubs who are responsible for the last fourteen premierships – Denver, Golden Gate, and Minnesota – and New York, who has had perennially one of the nations strongest programs.
The other half of the bracket contains the aforementioned Crows, here looking to add a fourth straight title in a row, fellow three-time winners Portland, the hometown Arizona Hawks who were D2 champions alongside Philly in 2019, and the up-and-coming DC Eagles for whom a run through this bracket favors.
To top it all off, the Women’s D1 Grand Final will be the climax of Nationals, with the deciding match being the final game of the weekend. No doubt, the atmosphere should be something else, with all of the other teams gathered round to watch another fantastic chapter of “herstory” written.
Here’s a look at the sides, grouped by their opening round matchups:
Round 1: Qualifying Match #1
(1) Minnesota Freeze (7-1) (w/ Wisconsin & Chicago) v
(4) New York Magpies (3-2) (w/ Cincinnati & Columbus)
It took a long ding dong dang time but the Yeti finally climbed the mountain. On their third straight trip to the women’s D1 Grand Final, they were able to put an end to Golden Gate’s stranglehold on Women’s Division 1. But the Maidens got their revenge at the wide-open Western Regionals in a competition that saw both sides get big performances from combo confederates. The loss stoked a fire, as the Freeze won both the Sweati Cup in DC and their home Yeti Cup in convincing fashion.
Most of the team that tore through the USAFL last season will be in Tuscon in 2025, led by the same group who were the core of the USA Freedom’s TAC Grand Final run. Amongst Edd, Lewis, Georgiadis, Sygulla, Allen, and the rest, Mariella Hoha has shown herself to possess the same skill that has made her mom, Cathy, one of the best forwards in the league. Add in pacey Rose Lemmon (CHI) and the ever-ready Emma “Squid” Whewell (WIS), and you have a Minnesota side determined to become the fourth repeat champion in league history.
For all of their talent, however, the Freeze will have their hands full in their opening game with the New York Magpies. The ‘Pies’ numbers have rebounded this season, and thanks to the goal kicking of Liz McAskil and tough tackling of Cassidy Powers, New York bested a game DC team to win the Northeast Regional. It’s been a great season so far the Gothamites, and they’d love to make a solid run as they go in search of that elusive first women’s championship.
One of those first 34 players from Milwaukee was Drea Casillas. She hasn’t lost a step since that first weekend when she played for Arizona, and is still one of the most feared defensive players in the USAFL. The veteran core of talls Lucy McLeod, Cricket Temple, and Andi Hargrave have speedy players around them. Former National teamer Siobhan McHale is back, alongside rover extraordinaire Jani Boal and Grace Hinchen, who impressed in her first hit out at regionals. Jessie Aston (CIN) and Stephanie Shipley (CLB) have National team experience and should fit in well with a team that could turn the bracket on its side.
Round 1: Qualifying Match 2
(2) Golden Gate Iron Maidens (6-0) v
(3) Denver Bulldogs (1-4) (w/ Sacramento)
You could sense the end was nigh early in the Grand Final a year ago. Though the Maidens had held on for a championship number seven by the barest of margins in 2023, there would be no repeat heroics against the Minnesota Freeze in Austin. With that rolling around in their head, they came to Denver for the Western regionals and trolley-carred their way to a 3-0 finish. All players on the side contributed, including the ones from Sacramento, Seattle, and St Louis, but the victory was a high mark on an undefeated campaign that will be a success if they can reclaim their mantle as the best women’s team in the USAFL.
The only full side in the bracket, the Maidens will have a deep bench that should be able to deal with the conditions. The addition of April Munn gives Golden Gate another scoring threat inside the 50 meter arc, and another tall option to go with Seini Moimoi, Panda Nguyen, Meg Leone, and the return of Brette Thomas (nee Brower). Elise Leone, Leo Gaillard, Jes Blecher and Nikki Feery are fearsome midfielders, and Carol Sequiera is a defensive player with an eye on transitioning the ball quickly. If the Maidens can keep the scoreboard ticking, they’ll be back on top.
Denver may be a decade removed from their last Nationals victory, but they haven’t gone away either. It was a challenging season for the ‘Doggies, who came up short at home at Westerns, but their veterans kept the side going. As good and experienced as their core group is, they’ll surely welcome in the women from Sacramento who were instrumental and important in that group taking out Westerns. The Bulldogs, combined with New York, upset Golden Gate at last year’s Nationals and they’d love to do it once more.
This team will have some really good defensive minded players, led by Jenna Taipaletti (SAC), Jessica Swart (SAC), Marisa Poorboy and Hallie Kastanek. Lia Liberatore was one of the stars of regionals for Denver, along with Alison Leonard and Christine Muthusamy-Flok (SAC) will form a group with tact and enterprise for moving the Sherrin forward. Kylie Haun, Lauré Kwoka (SAC), Jess Gray, Rita Hill, and newcomer Chinyere Isaac-Heslop will be serving up lightning bolts as well.
Round 1: Play-In Match 1
(5) Austin Crows (3-0) (w/ Boston, Wasatch, St Louis & Houston) v
(8) D.C. Eagles (1-7) (w/ Philadelphia, Virginia & Bayou)
With three D2 titles on the trot, one figured it would only be a matter of time before the Austin Crows made the step up to Division 1. And while they certainly wouldn’t mind yet another trophy to take home with them to Texas, they have a chance to prove mettle with the big clubs. They’ll have to earn it first, but the experience and talent that has been molded over the past couple of years has been bubbling. With help from the weaponry via four other clubs, this could be Austin’s breakout year on the women’s side.
Alongside US National teamers past and present – ruck Barb Williamson, utility Lindsey Turse, and defender Heather Serpico among them – the Crows have a handful of Aussie veterans, led by Maddie Cordner and Jacqui Shafer. Houston, who was a part of the Crows’ D2 title in 2022, has a potential star in the making in rookie sensation Marissa Kinsey (HOU); the former Arkansas Razorback soccer player was one of the best players at Westerns, and Hailey Rattan (HOU) is coming off another fine regular season. Rhiannon Duryea (STL) played a key role in the Maidens & company regional triumph, and veterans Allison Monaghan (BOS) and Samantha Worrall (WWG) will be there to help the Crows make another deep run.
But that deep run doesn’t happen if one trips over the first hurdle, and the DC Eagles will be no pushover. They played well all season long, holding New York to two goals at regionals and picking up valuable experience as the season wore on. This format suits the Eagles well; they should give Austin everything they can handle and whatever bracket they end up in, they should be able to make some noise. They’ll also have some handy combo pickups who are familiar with coach Amy Wilson’s system.
Ash Malabanan was MVP at regionals, and has emerged as one of the lead rovers for the birds of the Beltway. The defense shone through again this season, led by Katie Kowal and Claire Conley. The addition of youngsters Imogen and Amelia Gardiner have given the club a shot in the arm, especially with Imogen’s superior ruck work. With the consistent players they have in the midfield – Stephanie Hower, Marissa Muillins, and Caitlin Tilsed (PHL) among them – the addition of Stefanie Frelinger (BAY) from the Bayou Brawlers is big. Frelinger’s presence on the Minnesota Freeze combo at Regionals marked her as another player to watch in the future, especially for that growing program in New Orleans.
Round 1: Play-In Match 2
(6) Portland Sockeyes (1-1) (w/ North Texas & Seattle) v
(7) Arizona Hawks (2-2) (w/ San Diego, Orange County & North Star)
All four games look to be spectacular contests. This, in my humble opinion, might be the best one. It’s hard to pick a dark horse in this field to take the long route into D1, but the winner of this game will assume that role.
Portland went from D2 perennial powers to D1 debutants, then back down to Division 2. But after successfully teaming up with Austin to win D2 last year, they hit the ground running this year and were able to grow their numbers. The Sockeyes and Seattle Grizzlies both put up memorable showings in their regionals runs, and with help from the North Texas Devils, they come in hoping to do their own upsetting of the apple cart in this new-fangled bracket-type thing.
Two huge pickups in the last two seasons for Rose City have been Dani Bridges and Indigo Ao. Both have given the Sockeyes versatility and also a bit of a scoring punch to go with Lauren Williams’ talents. Another goal kicking sentinel is Amanda Boe (SEA), who kicked a couple of big goals in the Western final and set up a couple more. Amelia Kahr (SEA) returns to the lineup to anchor the defense, and Gretchen Gilbreath (SEA) comes home from playing in Germany. The quartet of Devils, who were the Crows’ dance partners for the 2023 title, are led by the consistent play of Ashley Greenberg (NTX).
As well as Austin did at home at their home Nats a year ago, I don’t remember a more anticipated homecoming for this tournament on the women’s side than the Arizona Hawks. They’ve banded together with the women from San Diego and Orange County and have bolstered women’s Aussie Rules in the American southwest, and so far it’s been a good run. It can get even better if they’re able to be the second consecutive home team to win a women’s championship.
There are two big stories with this team. One is the return of former AFLW player Dani Marshall to the club where her career began. Months after she and husband Ryan welcomed in twin girls, Dani is back to win another title for her Hawks after doing so in 2019. Melissa Armstrong, an original Hawk from the pre-Nationals days, has dusted off the boots and is also on the hunt for a cup for her team. There is more Freedom talent, past and present here too – Lindsey Hestand, Tracey McLane, Amanda Mora, Lelani Cordoba, Marie LaVictoire (NS) and Aileen Yoon (OC) aren’t just role players, they are equally dangerous all over the field. Next generation players Jailynn Johnson (NS), Kaelyn Hestand and Ryann Lutostanski will be fun to watch.
