IN the second of four SANFL Women’s Ones to Watch, we take a look at those North Adelaide and Norwood players inside the South Australian Under-19 State Academy, and what they could offer to their club.

NORTH ADELAIDE:

Kate Case
Forward | Top-ager

A real lively player with plenty of upside, Case is a danger inside 50 and complements an already strong outfit. She is able to find the space and create scoring opportunities, and in 2021 with a lot of the Roosters’ experience heading back to the AFL Women’s, Case has a chance to step up and become a crucial cog in the forward half, and even push up and impact the midfield when required. There will be plenty of ball going inside 50, so Case can use her goal nous to be a consistent scorer.

Julia Clark
Defender/Forward | Over-ager

Having been played at both ends, Clark prefers defence where she can read the ball coming in and nullify her opponent. Building her confidence over time, Clark has the attacking streak in her, but is strong defensively, and often locks down on her opponent to take them out of the game. She uses the ball well and makes good decisions, and once she is able to build on her efforts in 2020, the reliable distributor will be a key chain out of the back 50 for the reigning premiers.

Jorja Eldridge
Utility | Over-ager

A country talent who forced her way into the Roosters outfit last season, Eldridge hails from Whyalla and showed in her glimpses that she could compete at the top level. Much like the other young guns running round in the red and white, Eldridge could have much more of an impact in season 2021. She told Draft Central last year about her move to Adelaide ahead of this year for study, and it will reduce the travel as well as continue to build on her fundamental skills to match her fantastic athletic ability.

Hannah Ewings
Midfielder | Bottom-ager

The reigning SANFL Women’s Rising Star is the best young talent in the competition and a name which will continue to rise once the AFL Women’s Under-18 Championships are here. Boasting ridiculous talents of athleticism, skill and smarts, Ewings showed since making her debut at 15-years-old that she can compete against players twice her age. Having started forward and then rolled through the midfield, Ewings has high X-factor, a booming kick and is incredibly strong overhead. She can burst out of a stoppage, shrug off opponents and then create goal-scoring opportunities out of nothing. Still not at her draft-eligible year, Ewings will become the key playmaker in the midfield with Anne Hatchard and other Crows spending more time at AFL Women’s level.

Andie Zbierski
Defender | Over-ager

Another Whyalla prospect in the Academy alongside Eldridge and Ewings, Zbierski was able to play in the All-Stars match last season. Whilst travel and injuries have been a challenge for the now over-ager, she is looking to impact at SANFL Women’s level this year after not yet cracking in for a debut. She is a natural defender, and will add more talent to a back six that was already stingy in last year’s premiership tilt.

NORWOOD:

Sarah Branford
Midfielder | Top-ager

Formerly a train-on soccer player with Adelaide United, the talented teenage star is one who is making waves in the preseason according to new coach Mat Creeper. He said speaking to SANFL Radio, she was looking to play midfield and hone her craft in there following a decision to take up Australian rules football. She is a new face who could slot in to a midfield that has added more youth over the past couple of seasons.

Jade Halfpenny
Forward | Over-ager

A tall marking forward with clean hands, Halfpenny is one who showed plenty of potential in her top-age year last year. A former basketballer who has taken to the oblong-ball game like a duck to water, she is someone who could play at either end, or push up into the midfield. Halfpenny said chatting to Draft Central last season that she was keen to improve “everything”, there is plenty of scope for improvement from the teenager who could be a key target for the Redlegs in 2021.

Alana Lishmund
Utility | Top-ager

The Redlegs most impressive top-ager, Lishmund played in the All-Stars game last year as a bottom-ager. She can play forward or through the midfield, but has the traits to play anywhere on the ground and is a real X-factor inside 50. She has a fierce attack on the football with high tackling numbers, and is just looking to maintain her one-percenters. Likely to gain some more midfield minutes in 2021, expect the left-footer to use her pace and skill to impact games for extended periods of time.

Jess Williams
Forward | Top-ager

A member of the Port Adelaide Female Talent Next Generation Academy, Williams is one to watch this year looking to step up to senior level in 2021, though is currently recovering from a medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury. Playing for Hectorville Football Club, Williams plays primarily as an inside midfielder who can also go forward with a great blend of power and skill in her game.

Picture credit: AFL Media