SOUTH Australia has announced its squad of 30 players for the 2022 AFLW Under 18 Championships next month, featuring a host of Under 16s stars and couple of hugely talented over-agers. Highlighted by a couple of top-age AFLW Academy members in North Adelaide’s Hannah Ewings and West Adelaide’s Keeley Kustermann, the Croweaters have set themselves up for not only the 2022 carnival but the future campaigns as well.

Seven players born in 2006 – or eligible for the Under 16s squad – have been named, with all of them having tasted SANFL Women’s action this year. Unfortunately South Australia can only play three Under 16s players per match as per the Under 18 Championships rules, with the forward line and key position talent particularly highlighted at that age group.

South Adelaide’s Shae Archbold is leading the SANFL Women’s goalkicking despite being in her debut season, with fellow exciting left-footer India Rasheed and the ridiculously ambidextrous Georgia McKee all falling into the Under 16s category. Glenelg ruck Matilda Scholz and Bays teammate and midfielder Violet Patterson – who coincidentally is also eligible to be a Collingwood father-daughter selection after Stephen’s 96 matches in the black and white – are also included. The other Under 16s are Central District tall Charlotte Riggs who plays off half-back or through the ruck, whilst the athletic Lucy Boyd is highly touted out of West Adelaide.

Aside from the Under 16s, there are two over-age talents in 2003-born players, Kiera Mueller and Ella Little. Mueller has past been a member of the State Academy but injury ruled her out of last year’s carnival, but a sizzling start to 2022 off half-back for the Double Blues earned her a spot in the side. Little has been a consistent ball-winner in the Eagles midfield this season and will add some extra firepower in there.

Just two players – Kustermann and Amelie Borg – will return for a second successive carnival having played last year, whilst outside the aforementioned players to watch, Eagles’ Shineah Goody is an elite-level prospect – and a member of the AFLW Academy as a bottom-ager – who will roll through the midfield and can play on any line. Glenelg’s Sarah Goodwin is as silky as they come and will be a highly touted prospect for the South Australian pool, whilst Norwood duo Lana Schwerdt and Sachi Syme add extra depth to the midfield.

South Australia kicks off its campaign against Western Australia at Thebarton Oval on Sunday, April 10, before clashing with Vic Country six days later at Adelaide Oval as part of a curtain raiser to the Adelaide-Richmond AFL Men’s game, and then a final match against Allies at Werribee at 12:30pm.

SA U18 Girls Squad of 30