That’s the view of AFL North East Border youth girls co-ordinator Craig Dent, who said more than 1000 girls now played football at school or club level in the region.

A national women’s league will kick off next year with Adelaide, Brisbane Lions, Carlton, Collingwood, Fremantle, GWS, Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs to take part.

Bright’s Daisy Pearce has starred in exhibition matches for Melbourne and is set to be one of the Demons’ marquee players when the competition begins in February.

Pearce plays for Darebin Falcons in the Women’s VFL and it is likely players from the Border and North East would have to impress in the metropolitan competition before making their way onto an AFL list.

The Youth Girls League – contested by Wodonga Raiders, Lavington, Alpine Lions and Murray Felines – has doubled in size, with more than 100 registered players competing each weekend, up from about 50 last season.

At least two new teams are likely to take part in the Youth Girls League from next season.

“The numbers this year have really gone up a notch,” Dent said.

“Effectively, the AFL has opened the door and now there’s a rush of enthusiasm, the girls have gone ‘beauty, we can play’.”

Talent identification sessions will be held at Thurgoona on July 2-3 before a team is selected to represent the Murray Bushrangers at the Victorian Country Championships in Gippsland from September 26-28.

Wodonga Raiders’ Julia Harvey and Benalla’s Rebecca Webster are two of the brightest talents in the region, having represented Victoria Country at under-18 level.

“The great thing for our region is that we don’t know who we are going to unearth who might be a superstar,” he said.

“It would surprise me if there wasn’t an AFL club watching that tournament over at Bairnsdale.

“I think they’ll be looking for every player available, the same as the men. They’re taking this really seriously.

“It’s a fantastic thing for all those girls who have played junior footy in with the boys, that all of a sudden they have their own pathway.”

The Raiders and Panthers will play their Youth Girls League clash on Saturday night, following the the senior Ovens and Murray match between the teams at Birallee Park.

“If you come to the Panthers-Raiders game, you’ll be really surprised at the standard,” Dent said.

“These girls are really passionate about playing footy.”

Richmond, whose zone includes North East Victoria, was one of five AFL clubs granted a provisional women’s licence.

“Women’s participation and development will be a focus in the region and we will know more later in the year,” a spokeswoman said.