SOUTH Adelaide kicked off its 2023 SANFL Women’s season on a high after defeating last year’s runners-up Sturt in a tight struggle at Noarlunga. Among the top performers in the win was young talent Brooke Boileau, whose development over the past 12 months was evident on the weekend, stepping up to take control of the midfield. The 17-year-old’s performance which included an equal team-high 21 disposals was put under the microscope in our Round 1 Player Focus.

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South Adelaide Women's, South Australia GirlsInside Midfielder

Brooke Boileau

Height: 169cm

Weight: -

DOB: 28-01-2005

2023 SANFL Women’s: Round 1
South Adelaide 3.5 (23) def. Sturt 1.9 (15)

STATS: 21 disposals (15 kicks, 6 handballs), 2 marks, 8 tackles, 4 clearances, 7 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

FIRST QUARTER

From the first few minutes it was clear Boileau was in for a promising game, winning the ball a couple of minutes in and thumping it inside 50. On a number of occasions, she would put her body on the line and then squeezed out a handball before being dragged down, showing clean and quick thinking under pressure.

The South Adelaide top-ager’s pressure around the stoppages was on show as a repeated first possession winner, or at minimum a second possession winner. She did get into trouble midway through the first quarter where she picked up the loose ball at the top of 50, as by taking the extra split second to decide where to kick, she was pinged for holding the ball. Putting it in the back of her mind, Boileau charged off her mark when the umpire called play on to pressure the recipient of the free kick.

In the final couple of minutes, Boileau did well in defence to win it, take off and kick it long down the ground. Unfortunately just that last little bit of composure let her down, turning it over to the Double Blues. She won it back almost immediately from the next kick, but again under pressure rushing, kicked it long and it bounced out of bounds.

SECOND QUARTER

Her second term started about six minutes in with her first notable moment, attacking the ball at the top of 50 going for a mark presenting out, but was just spoiled in front. A minute later she again lead out of the forward 50 but received a delivery at her feet, and was quickly wrapped up before she could get rid of it.

Showcasing her dancing feet for a taller player, Boileau did well to pick it cleanly off the deck at the nine minute mark and spin out of a would-be tackler, but then released the ball under pressure in between three Sturt defenders who had swarmed her. Her clean hands at ground level continued throughout the quarter, as she opted for a one-two midway through the term.

At the 16-minute mark, Boileau took a good mark at half-back and though the kick itself had a touch more elevation than it needed to, proved effective going to the defensive side of the centre square. In the 17th minute, Boileau again drifted forward and won a free kick for being held at a stoppage 35m out from goal. Her set shot ended up being a kick to the danger zone but unfortunately her teammate just could not gather it.

THIRD QUARTER

Boileau was back in the middle for the early stages of the second half, releasing a good handball under pressure 90 seconds into the third quarter. At the five-minute mark, the South Adelaide top-ager took a good intercept mark at half-forward and kicked to the danger zone that proved effective even if not direct.

Midway through the term, Boileau picked up a couple of handballs via a one-two where she got it off to a teammate, won it back and fended off an opponent before shovelling it back to a moving teammate. Not long after, Boileau earned a free kick for being taken high. The subsequent kick proved effective, and though a little high again, was well weighted.

The teenager’s last kick of the term from a handball 60m out was a rushed one that went inside 50, but out of bounds.

FOURTH QUARTER

Setting the tone early in the first term, Boileau laid a big tackle in the middle to force another stoppage just over a minute in, then when it was her turn to be tackled, she stood up and got the ball free to a teammate.

At the two-minute mark, Boileau was in a good position at the top of 50, but again thumped it forward. She worked hard to win a loose ball and booted it deeper inside 50, with her shot bouncing past the one-on-one contest in the goalsquare and through for a behind.

Her defensive pressure maintained high throughout the contest with a great tackle wrapping up Elsie Dawes to lock up the ball in the forward pocket. After a quiet next 10 minutes as Boileau earned a rest, she finished off the game in style, laying a mammoth tackle of Georgia Swan at half-forward to win a free kick. Unfortunately her kick inside 50 turned over to the waiting Kiera Mueller.

In the final few minutes, Boileau was able to win a number of quick touches in close, often either getting a handball away or a quick clearing kick. She even got a hand on a kick from an opponent on the wing in the last few minutes, and her ability to force repeat stoppages ultimately helped South Adelaide win the game.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Brooke Boileau is a player who has clearly worked on her game the last 12 months, building that aerobic capacity to spend more time in the midfield after initially being a forward and having stints in midfield. A top-age player in her AFLW Draft year, Boileau still has areas to work on such as her composure and decision making under pressure.

With time on her side and when she is able to have those extra few seconds to think, Boileau can be a smart and effective player by hand or foot. Her stoppage work and clean hands at the coalface is strong, she moves well for a taller player and takes great strides in her running. She has a lot of upside given her size and contested ball-winning ability, and with more time on-ball for the Panthers this year, could develop those areas of her game that need improving. One to watch in 2023.