THE West Australian Football League (WAFL) Women’s competition kicked off on the weekend and we took note of some of the top State Academy players to run out for their respective teams, as well as some other mature-age players who impressed.

Peel Thunder:

#2 Bella Mann

The over-age State Academy member played her usual competitive role, often finding the pill between defence and the wing. Though she had a poor turnover close to goal in the third term, Mann generally had a number of highlights throughout the match, Predominantly it was her strength both in the air, and at ground level that shone, and her one-on-one ability helps her to outmuscle her opponents. She is not afraid to take grass when the opportunity presents itself, and whilst not lightning quick, has power that will help build up her momentum. One of the few over-agers in the State Academy who will add experience to the squad having played at the Under 19s Championships last year.

#22 Kaitlyn Srhoj

Making her debut for the reigning premiers, she was first sighted with an overzealous tackle at half-forward midway through the first term. Though she might have been pinged there, from that point on she was ultra-impressive, with her run and dare. She is a straight-line runner who has a nice set of wheels that can burn off opponents, often looking to kick long. For a first gamer, Srhoj showed enough game sense, with a clever tap along the ground in the second term where she knew she could not take possession. Her third quarter was particularly lively, and though at times the increased pressure at League level might have rushed her, she found space well and ran where she could at half-forward.

#29 Jorja Haines

The sole Under 16s State Academy member in the squad, Haines played forward alongside Srhoj, and had a few nice moments throughout the game. Having a crack for the full four quarters, she had some ‘almost’ moments. In the opening term, Haines had a good marking attempt with her body one-on-one but just spilt the ball. She recovered to snap around her body but just missed. Later on she tried some more magic but could not quite get the time and space to have a shot on goal.

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OTHER NOTES:

Subiaco did not have a State Academy member playing in the match, with the other Thunder State Academy member in Emily Gunton having a quiet game by her standards. From outside the Academy, the Thunder had a number of eye-catching players including Aisha Wright (whose gutsy play in the final moments was the key to victory). Her tackling pressure and speed are highlights, of which the same can be said about 2021 State Under 19s captain Jaide Britton who played a more aggressive role on the wing to catch the eye.

Though the Lions might not have had an Academy member, they did debut a few fresh faces, with Amy Mulholland a mature-age wing who seemed to show plenty of class off both sides of the body, kicking two goals. She is one to keep an eye on as a potential readymade option as fans have seen from the West Australian clubs and WAFL Women’s connections in past years.

South Fremantle:

#1 Noa McNaughton

An Under 16s small forward with some eye-catching moves, McNaughton had a fairly impressive debut. She was able to kick a couple of goals and just missed out on a couple more, showing signs that she can improve further as her composure grows. She kicked her first goal in the opening couple of minutes of the second term on the run, and then snapped around her body later in the term after taking a great mark on the lead. She has goal sense and some nice speed, and whilst she is still light and easily tackled to the ground, she did look dangerous when she was around it. In the fourth term she had a shot just touched on the line, then a dribble attempt that hit the post.

#9 Lauren Wakfer

The AFLW Academy ruck was simply outstanding and our Player of the Week across the competition. She started in the ruck and rotated forward, but she played a much more dynamic role than that. Often able to intercept at the top of 50, or be involved in the supply chain going forward, Wakfer was not only able to hit the scoreboard herself (one goal, two behinds), but she was able to keep pressure on the opposition defence by pumping it in. Her best work is done where she can leap at the ball and use her athleticism to advantage, whilst opposition rucks will look to use their stronger bodies to plant their feet and ensure Wakfer can not get a clean jump at it. As she builds more strength, she will be more influential at one-on-ones, though she is clean overhead when leading or interception uncontested. Her goal in the third term was an absolute ripper after set shots in both the third and fourth terms missed to the right.

#11 Ashleigh Reidy

Finished the match with 3.4, but honestly could have easily have hit double-figures. She was unstoppable in the air or at ground level close to goal, and showed why she is in the AFLW Academy. The big thing was her inconsistency at goal, with a couple of gettable behinds in the first term, another in the second and third, as well as a couple of out on the fulls – including from a very gettable set shot – in the last quarter. Had she converted all them, she would have had one of the best small forward games in the league’s history, but nonetheless she was still very good. Her strength overhead, body positioning and footy IQ was impressive, and she just controlled the forward 50, never looked like losing a contest to her direct opponent.

#25 Rosie Anderson

Had some nice plays throughout the game, with clean hands and some athletic moments. She had the team mindset with a shepherd in the first term, and was clean at ground level and in the air. Though raw – making a few mistakes in regards to decision making, particularly handballing under pressure – she did enough to suggest that she had a bright future. Still an Under 16s player and one debut, so one to keep an eye on over the coming seasons.

West Perth:

#1 Megan Norbury

The Under 16s talent showed some eye-catching signs on debut, with some clean and quick ahnds in close, as well as strong defensive pressure. Her second term was particularly busy, playing off a wing and getting involved between the arcs. Though not always allowed a lot of time and space, she attempted to provide some dash across the ground, at one stage bursting away down the wing taking and bounce and releasing by hand in time. She was named the Falcons’ best in defeat.

#9 Kayla Van Den Heever

Like Norbury, Van Den Heever did her best to try and create some run and carry for the Falcons. She took a good, strong intercept mark early in defence and was able to dispose of it short, cleanly. Though not always afforded time to hit targets, she did have one impressive play that almost came off. In the third term, Van Den Heever burst out of defence and took multiple bounces, but was just dragged down before she could dispose of it. Nonetheless it was great to see that confidence from a young player.

#32 Liliana Grassenis

One of the higher touted Falcons, Grassenis had a tough job in the West Perth defence, but could hold her head up high. She won a free kick for in the back in the second term, and had some nice plays like her fellow young teammates. The fourth term saw her have a run from the opening bounce to burst away, and then was later able to fend off an opponent at half-back and kick off the left to the wing, with clean hands throughout.

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OTHER NOTES:

It was largely a one-sided contest for the most part, with South Fremantle’s Tannika Bradley having some nice plays along the wing with pinpoint delivery, whilst West Perth’s Chloe Shearing also played and had a crack despite the mounting scoreline against. Another Bulldogs youngster in Hunter Cronin kicked a couple of nice goals for the Bulldogs and enjoyed the freedom that came with the onslaught forward.

Claremont:

#9 Emily Elkington

An athletic midfielder with some clean touches, Elkington is one of those players who does not need a lot of the ball to do some damage. Possessing a deadly sidestep, Elkington was able to do just that in the first term and zip to the left before composing herself to kick forward. She continually got to the right spots, even if she did not win the ball, and was clean at ground level, often producing one-touch plays. Though still building four-quarter consistency, it is clear she has the class and disposal that will hold her in good stead for the future.

Swan Districts:

#2 Tara Stribley

The classy wing spent time on the inside as well as the outside in this game, and racked up her fair share of touches. Though inconsistency still plagued her – Stribley was incredibly busy early before fading out later one – the number two balanced her offensive and defensive traits. Given her ability to be clean at ground level, and not being afraid to lay tackles on much bigger opponents, Stribley has high upside for the future if she can maintain that high level for longer periods of the game.

#7 Emma Nanut

Another over-age talent in the State Academy squad, Nanut was uncharacteristically rushed at times, with the Swan Districts defence under more pressure than it had felt against an opposition other than Peel Thunder in the past 12 months. She found she had less time and made some poor turnovers such as an out on the full she would normally nail. In saying that, Nanut still had some really promising plays, including looking to use run out of defence, and attacked both the ball carrier and hard ball well. Her defensive pressure was first rate, and if she can tidy up the kicking – it is normally far more efficient – then she will be better for the run.

#11 Jaime Henry

The bottom-age talent is just such a promising star in the making. She might not have the athleticism of some others, but her natural football IQ and balance of offensive and defensive traits are just so good. She was tasked with taking the kickouts at times such is the high regard in which she is held. Despite not being the strongest player, her bodywork in one-one-ones is good, and her defensive pressure is always high. She is clean by hand or foot and has a great technique when disposing of the ball. She can sidestep an opponent with good evasion, proving she does not necessarily need explosive speed to avoid would-be tacklers.

#14 Abbygail Bushby

Another promising youngster for the Swans, Bushby is one of those run-and-gun players, be it coming from half-back on a wing, or half-forward. In this game she was often behind the ball, but that was more so because the pill found its way regularly into the Swan Districts defence. She competed well in the air, and laid some strong tackles. Early in the third term she had a great run down the wing, using the player stand rule to get past her opponent on the mark. Not long after, she received the handball, fended off an opponent and had the composure to steady and hit up Emily McGuire inside 50 with precision. When she is able to do it consistently over four quarters watch out, because she has some incredibly exciting traits.

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OTHER NOTES:

Claremont also had Mackenzie Webb from the State Academy, though she had a quiet game. For the Swans, Tyla Fitzgerald played and had some nice moments, and despite an early kick being a bit of a scrubber, she worked well running hard in transition, and even rotated through the middle to win some touches. Though it’s hard to believe she was overlooked as a mature-age prospect in a league best and fairest winning year, surely one of the new expansion clubs has to consider Tigers captain Ella Smith who had another great game between midfield and then resting forward. Mikayla Western and Tessa Doumanis are other mature-age talents who could be considered, whilst for Swans, captain Jess Cox is one to watch throughout the year, and though she did not have her most dominant game in Round 1, always gives 100 per cent effort and has an elite kick.