ATHLETIC tall Olivia Wolmarans showed shades of Amy Franklin during her side’s 20-point win in West Australia’s Under 16s State Academy clash yesterday. In game two of the series, Western Australia Black won 6.4 (41) to 3.3 (21), defeating their Gold counterparts. Players had been mixed around from the first game, but Wolmarans showed some incredibly promising signs in a three-goal performance.

In the game, the Black side lead throughout the first half kicking three goals to one, but then Gold drew within a point at one stage in the third term. From that point, Black kicked 3.3 to 0.1 – lead by three last-quarter goals – to win. There were a number of impressive performers and we take a look at some of the ones who caught the eye.

TEAM GOLD:

#7 Alicia Blizard (MDS South U15s)

Having a massive first term, Blizard found plenty of the ball through the midfield, but also got back to help out the defence. She showed some nice turn of speed and was able to generally kick well doing forward, though her decision making at times – such as kicking to a one-on-three early in the match – could be tidied up. She was a little quieter after quarter time, but finished with 15 disposals, two marks, six tackles, four inside 50s and three rebound 50s.

#13 Claudia Wright (Claremont)

Racking up the most touches on her side, Wright found space like few others, and provided some great pressure to boot. Her third quarter was ridiculous where she won the majority of her touches, and won a lot of ball on the outside and kicking it in transition. She was typically found working hard into space to mark and then send it inside 50, but also rested forward in the second term, where she had a set shot in the last minute but just missed. She had another later flying shot just before the final siren that also missed, but overall she really impressed. Wright amassed 23 disposals, nine marks, four tackles, two hitouts, three clearances and five inside 50s.

#25 Jorja Haines (Peel Thunder)

The Thunder talent has already established herself in the League side this season and she utilised that experience working through the midfield. She played a consistent game across the four quarters and provides some great run off half-back and along the wing. Haines has quick hands and possesses a nice burst out of a stoppage to apply a fend-off and kick forward. Though not always accurate with her execution, Haines racked it up with ease and her hands and strength when being pressured by opponents. Haines finished with 21 touches, two marks, three tackles, three inside 50s and two rebound 50s.

#30 Ella Slocombe (Claremont)

Coming to life after quarter time, Slocombe was one of the more influential players in the second half. She won plenty of the ball and looked to put it to the danger zone in the front half of the ground, then capped off her performance with two goals in the third term. She kicked her first after a great running play , then another one not long after despite being dragged to the ground. She was clean with her marking and finding space, and always looked to put it forward to advantage.

OTHERS:

Taya Chambers is one who impressed out of defence, finishing with 20 disposals, three marks, three tackles and six rebound 50s working hard, whilst Natasha Entwistle (19 disposals, three marks, three tackles and three rebound 50s) found plenty of the ball. Peel’s Evie Cowcher (19 disposals, four rebounds) also had some moments, whilst Subiaco’s Olivia Crane looked dangerous inside 50, leading out, marking and set shot with some eye-catching athleticism.

TEAM BLACK:

#3 Megan Norbury (West Perth)

The speedy West Perth winger certainly caught the eye both from the wing and off half-back, with a balance of offensive and defensive traits. She ran down Slocombe late in the second term after initially being shrugged off, showcasing her determination to stick with it. Though at times she could be a touch cleaner with the ball at ground level, when she has it in her possession she is damaging with her run and carry. She also looks unfazed by opposition pressure, and applies plenty herself despite being an outside player. She managed the 16 touches, four tackles and two rebound 50s.

#4 Zippy Fish (East Fremantle)

Having won the Most Valuable Player )MVP) award for this carnival last year, Fish certainly put in another strong performance with plenty of touches across the course of the game. Her technique and decision making is very good, and she has great footy IQ in the way she gets to the ball, and disposes of it quickly. Though possessing some elite pace, Fish does not always maximise that pace, and gaining the extra 30m could really add an extra string to her bow. Overall, Fish put together another impressive performance to finish with 23 disposals, two marks, two tackles, two clearances, three inside 50s and three rebound 50s.

#6 Madison Hadley (MDS South U15s)

Like many of her teammates, Hadley showed some terrific pace coming off half-back, and through the middle. She took a good mark early in the game, and then earned some free kicks through fierce tackling, which included a run-down tackle in the second term. Her burst away and kicking was generally effective, though she is right-dominant and late in the game turned back into traffic to try and get onto her right side. Overall she had some eye-catching traits.

#12 Mia Russo (West Perth)

Having just played at the Rogers Cup level thus far, Russo was certainly one of the best on the day, picking up more disposals than anyone else on the field. She had great pace and burnt off her opposition, running from half-back and down the wing. Along with her athletic traits, she stood up well in tackles, and is a player whom, whilst raw, can take the game on. If she can round out her game with her finishing – she just missed to the left after a nice run inside 50 – both on goal and through the middle, then she will be a player to watch for the future.

#22 Olivia Wolmarans (East Perth)

The standout performer in my eyes, Wolmarans reminded me of Franklin in the way she was an athletic tall capable of playing up either end. She has a high work rate and found the ball in both halves of the ground, but most notably turned it on in the last quarter with the game on the line. The Royals talent slammed home three goals to win her side the game, and she looked every bit as damaging in the air, and at ground level. She had a chance in the second term as well but missed to the right, though she also spent time in defence and took some good grabs there, as well as rotated through the ruck. Overall, Wolmarans had the most impact on the game of any player.

OTHERS:

Team Black had plenty of contributions on the day, with Swan Districts’ Mahalia Rukuata showing good strength inside 50. East Perth’s Alana Papalia was always looking dangerous at both ends, whilst fellow runner Holly Britton showcased athleticism and was clean by hand and neat by foot. Swans’ Lily Paterson was always busy through midfield, East Fremantle’s Athena Mendoza and West Perth’s Jamarah Walley also caught the eye with some eye-catching moments.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA GOLD 0.0 | 1.1 | 3.2 | 3.3 (21)
WESTERN AUSTRALIA BLACK 1.0 | 3.3 | 3.4 | 6.5 (41)

GOALS:

WA Gold: E. Slocombe 2, O. Crane
WA Black: O. Wolmarans 3, A. Papalia, L. Paterson, Z. Keley

RMC BEST:

WA Gold: C. Wright, J. Haines, E. Slocombe, A. Blizzard, T. Chambers
WA Black: O. Wolmarans, M. Russo, Z. Fish, M. Norbury, M. Hadley