A DREAM come true 

Tayla McMillan belongs in Navy Blue, with the young midfielder selected with pick No.34 in the 2025 Telstra AFLW Draft.  

The Blues couldn’t have been quicker to call out the name of the classy on-baller, partnering her with South Adelaide’s Lily Baxter on draft night.  

An inside midfield prospect, McMillan will get the chance to realise a dream when she pulls on the Navy Blue guernsey, as a Bluebagger since day one. 

With class in abundance, McMillan could hardly have been more impressive in her top-age season, ending the campaign with All-Australian honours as well as being named in the Talent League Team of the Year. 

That was further enhanced with an outstanding performance on Grand Final day, named as the best player on the ground in the premiership triumph against Dandenong - incidentally, at IKON Park. 

McMillan is a natural leader, co-captaining Vic Metro throughout the national championships, where she averaged 20 disposals per game and led from the front as an on-baller who set her team up in offence while also committing to the defensive side of the game. 

A childhood Carlton supporter who idolised Patrick Cripps and Chris Judd, McMillan won’t need to look far for inspiration as a midfielder from the Eastern Ranges - the same pathway undertaken by Carlton’s 2024 Best and Fairest winner, Keeley Sherar. 

With her skillset and character, Carlton Head of AFLW Ash Naulty said the addition of McMillan was a great result for the football club.  

“Welcoming Tayla to IKON Park is so exciting - we couldn’t be happier to bring her to Carlton,” Naulty said.  

“Ever since she burst onto the scene as an All Australian at under-16 level in 2023, Tayla has shown her capacity for the big moment.  

“She couldn’t have been more impressive this year for both Vic Metro and Eastern, where she ended up as the best player on the ground on Grand Final day. 

“She’s the kind of player who gives her absolute all, 100 percent of the time. We love what she can do with ball in hand, she connects the play in transition with her footy IQ and clean fundamentals.” 

“Having her join our emerging midfield group with the likes of Abbie McKay, Mimi Hill and Keeley Sherar is super exciting for the long-term future of our club.  

“As someone who’s loved the Club for a long time, this a dream come true for her - we can’t wait to see what she can provide for us in the years to come.”