Western Australia is celebrating its first Girls national title after the State Under-16s won the final of the 2026 Emerging Matildas Championships in Melbourne. Goals either side of half-time from Piper Dowe and Milla Butler secured a 2-0 victory over Victoria Blue and capped a memorable campaign for the team, who won all six of their games.

“This is a massive achievement,” said Andrew Ord, assistant coach to Stephen Walmsley. “We have put value on withstanding pressure and when you look at the tournament as a whole, we have conceded just two goals (and) we have also created more chances than the opposition in every game, including the final. I was really pleased with some of our interplay today. Throw in a few moments of magic from Milla Butler in the semi-final and final, and the team are worthy champions.”

The Under-16s kicked off their campaign by edging out New South Wales Regional 1-0 courtesy of Messaline Mpunga’s second half finish. 24 hours later Savanna Glavovic found the net in a 1-0 win over Northern New South Wales. A busy day three opened with Mia Boudames scoring the solitary goal in a 1-0 success over Victoria White.

Western Australia then sealed top spot in Group B by defeating New South Wales Regional, Anya Dyurbin chipping in with a brace alongside goals from Glavovic and Mya Andrews. The winning run continued with Ivy Hampton, Ella Lange and Mya Andrews scoring in the space of six second half minutes to secure victory over South Australia 3-1.

Penalties were required to sneak past Capital Football in the semi-finals after regulation time ended at 1-1, Dowe scoring for the west. Glavovic slammed home the winner after Capital sent one shot high and had another saved by Daisy McGreadie Cole. “We’ve been the underdogs all the way through, so it’s nice to show our family how we can do it,” Glavovic said. “I’ve lost my voice from cheering so much.”

Western Australia may have been slow to settle into the final but grabbed the go-ahead goal on 22 minutes via Dowe, who finished with confidence at close-range from Butler’s pull-back. Butler was unfortunate not to double the wests’ lead early in the second half but after tying the defence in knots she lashed her shot into the crossbar.

However, Butler wasn’t to be denied with the attacker driving through to fire beyond the reach of the goalkeeper after cleverly flicking the ball over her marker. A solid display between the posts by Grace Sciascia-Walsh ensured Victoria remained scoreless, while team captain Lange worked tirelessly in the centre of the park.

The history-making Under-16 squad featured Mya Andrews (Football West Academy), Grace Bolton (Football West Academy), Mia Boudames (Football West Academy), Evie Colgan (UWA Nedlands), Piper Dowe (Football West Academy), Anya Dyurbin (Football West Academy), Coco Fonseca (Football West Academy), Grace Fraser (Football West Academy), Savanna Glavovic (Football West Academy), Ivy Hampton (Football West Academy), Ella Lange (Football West Academy), Daisy McGreadie Cole (Football West Academy), Messaline Mpunga (Football West Academy), Grace Sciascia-Walsh (Football West Academy), Lily Sunderland (Football West Academy) and Olive Wood-Smith (Football West Academy).