SOUTH Australia’s most talented female junior footballers have been shortlisted in a 43-player squad as part of the South Australian Women’s Under 18 Girls Academy. With a number of top-line prospects and plenty of names to watch for the future, South Australia will be a state to keep an eye on this year once again with Port Adelaide entering the AFL Women’s competition in 2023.

The South Australian Under 18 Girls Academy will take part in a four-day camp at Thebarton Oval from Monday, December 13 to Thursday, December 16, with a focus on both football-based and educational skill workshops. SANFL Female Talent Manager Robbie Neill announced the release of the squad via the SANFL website, also revealing that Tim Weatherald will lead the squad as head coach, with Bill Economou, Craig Lum, Jason Rivett and Bek McMahon his assistant coaches.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

South Australia has a number of key players to keep an eye on this year, with Rookie Me Central naming a few players who caught the eye over the last couple of seasons.

Hannah Ewings (North Adelaide, Midfielder/Forward | 167cm)

The exciting Hannah Ewings is the top South Australian prospect for 2022. Ewings unfortunately suffered an ankle injury sustained in a tackle in the lead-up to the AFLW Under 19 Championships, and was unable to take part in the event. Instead, the potential top pick had to watch her teammates face off at national level, but having recovered from that ankle injury is ready and raring to go for 2022.

Ewings shares similar traits to Richmond’s Ellie McKenzie with her power and burst out of a stoppage, as well as her penetrative boot. Ewings backs herself when in front of goal, able to kick beyond 50m and is strong both in the air and at ground level. A crucial player in North Adelaide’s premiership season of 2020, Ewings also won the Breakthrough Player Award, and is set to pick up where she left off through the Roosters’ midfield.

Keeley Kustermann (West Adelaide, Medium Utility | 166cm)

Another incredibly talented South Australian is the remarkably versatile Kustermann, who was one of just three bottom-age players to run out for her state at the AFLW Under 19 Championships this year. Starting her SANFL Women’s career off half-back for the Bloods, Kustermann has also proven she can play off half-forward or the wing.

For South Australia, Kustermann predominantly spent time inside, where she showed her composure and balance under pressure, though her carnival ended abruptly with an injury early in the last game against the Allies. One of a number of young stars at the Bloods, Kustermann will join Ewings in the South Australian midfield this year, and will likely see plenty of action in there at state league level.

Amelie Borg (North Adelaide, Tall Defender/Ruck | 177cm)

Amelie Borg is the standout tall for South Australia this year is the other 2022 AFLW Draft eligible player who ran out for her state at the 2021 AFLW Under 19 Championships. Borg is primarily a tall defender who can roll through the ruck, but is capable of playing in multiple roles. She is strong, and holds her ground well around the stoppages, and is one to keep an eye on for North Adelaide this year.

Lana Schwerdt (Norwood, Midfielder | 163cm)

Lana Schwerdt is a tough, courageous midfielder has plenty of senior experience for Norwood’s SANFL Women’s side this year, often doing the hard work for the Redlegs. Though not big in stature, she has a crack, and is one that Crows fans would like to follow this year as an eligible Adelaide father-daughter thanks to her father Stephen playing 25 games for the club.

Sachi Syme (Norwood, Midfielder | 165cm)

Another midfielder capable of winning her own ball, Sachi Syme played nine matches for the Redlegs in 2021. Averaging around 10 touches per game including four games in double-figures, Syme is a rising talent who established herself in a midfield that had lost a number of experienced players in recent seasons.

Sarah Goodwin (Glenelg, Midfielder | 167cm)

A premiership player with the Bays this year, Goodwin is more of that outside mover who can pump the ball inside 50 coming off a wing or positioned as a higher half-forward. She averaged three inside 50s per game for Glenelg in 2021, and with nine games to her name in an incredibly strong side, expect that number to rise in 2022.

A LOOK AHEAD TO 2023

South Australia has plenty of rising stars for the 2023 AFL Women’s Draft, headlined by top pick Lauren Young. While she has not been named in this year’s Academy intake – due to suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury recently – she will be back bigger and better in 2023. Others who will be names to remember include the high-upside utility talent in Shineah Goody, along with her Eagles’ teammates Marlie Fiegert (an eligible Port Adelaide father-daughter selection), and Chloe Whitington-Charity. North Adelaide speedster Elaine Grigg and Glenelg’s Piper Window are other 2023 draft-eligible players.

2022 SANFL Under 18 Girls Academy

Central [4]: Georgia McKee, Charlotte Riggs, Jessie Sandford, Dakota Williams
Glenelg [6]: Ella Boag, Sarah Goodwin, Violet Patterson, Matilda Scholz, Poppy Scholz, Piper Window
North [4]: Amelie Borg, Timeka Cox, Hannah Ewings, Elaine Grigg
Norwood [7]: Rosie Boon, Molly Brooksby, Jayde Hickey, Elle Lineage, Lana Schwerdt, Ella Strudwick, Sachie Syme
South [6]: Shae Archibold, Brooke Boileau, Jemma Ellis, Emily Franklin, Maya Overall, Emily Smith
Sturt [5]: Tiah Hough, Millie McCarthy, India Rasheed, Tahlia Walker, Lily Whitcombe
West [5]: Lucy Boyd, Keeley Kustermann, Grace McNicol, Charlie Scutchings, Bethany Sigley
WWT [6]: Marlie Fiegert, Shineah Goody, Astrid Gooley, Chloe Whittington-Charity, Jemma Whitington-Charity, Cheryllee Waters