AS PART of a new countdown series leading into the 2023 South Australian National Football League (SANFL) Women’s season, we will name 23 players to watch who are under 23. We are only looking at those players who were born January 1, 2000 or later, have played a SANFL Women’s senior match and have never been on an AFL Women’s list. Today we are up to number #18 and it is West Adelaide inside midfielder Zoe Venning.

#18 Zoe Venning (West Adelaide)

DOB: 04/11/2003
Height: 168cm
Position: Inside Midfielder
Local club: Blackwood

One of the more consistent ball-winners in the SANFL Women’s, Venning only turned 19 late last year, and is putting together some serious form in the country’s top state league. Having tasted premiership success at Blackwood, Venning carved out an impressive junior career in the red and black, as well as for the tri-colours as the AFL Women’s Under 19 Championships.

As a 17-year-old in 2021, Venning averaged 23 disposals and four clearances, as well as laying 6.7 tackles per game at the championships and made the All-Australian team. The form from that tournament followed on into her 2022 SANFL Women’s season, where despite West Adelaide being stuck at the bottom of the ladder for the majority of the season, still managed to be a shining light.

>> FEATURE 2021 | Competitive Venning used to putting in the extra effort
>> FEATURE 2023 | Venning positive Westies will bounce back

Venning played 11 games for the Westies in 2022, only missing the one clash, and averaging 18.7 disposals, 2.4 marks, 4.0 clearances, 5.5 tackles, 2.4 inside 50s and 1.4 rebound 50s, working hard around the ground. In particular her clearance work stood out, able to dispose of the ball quickly by hand. Though at times she would have some down games, her best was among the better ones in the competition.

Though 2022 was statistically her best season, Venning still starred for her state league club in 2021, averaging the 16.5 disposals, 2.3 marks, 4.7 tackles, 2.1 clearances and 2.8 inside 50s. Though she has spent time resting forward, she has only converted the three goals, an area she has identified to improve with her kicking. Though her kicking has improved over the years, it is the continued focal point for Venning to earn her chance at the top level.

>> PLAYER FOCUS 2021 | SANFLW Player Focus: Zoe Venning

Her ball winning, contested appetite and defensive habits are all top notch, with her ability to consistently win the ball at either the coalface or under pressure renowned. She has trialed playing in other positions such as half-forward or the wing, and with further success in other roles – as well as improvements in aforementioned areas – she could be a player to watch in 2023, coming in at number 18 in our countdown.