IN a hard-fought warm-up exhibition match to its first AFLW Under 18 Championships match against South Australia on April 30, the Western Australia Under 18s State Academy took on the WAFLW All-Stars last Thursday night. Though the Under 18s ultimately went down by two points, there were a number of impressive performers.

WAFLW Under 18s:

#1 Noa McNaughton (South Fremantle)
20/10/2006 | 158cm | Small Forward

The classy small forward was lively in the first half showing her clean hands and class inside 50. She had a couple of opportunities on goal, and after an uncharacteristic fumble late in the first term, McNaughton hit the scoreboard with a mark and set shot goal four minutes in the second quarter. She also provided a goal assist to Raison in the third term. Though she was quieter in the second half, she still had some nice moments.

#4 Zippy Fish (East Fremantle)
04/06/2006 | 160cm | Small Defender

One of the best on ground, Fish showed her classy skills and outstanding pace coming off half-back throughout the four quarters. She covered the ground well and was able to distribute cleanly by hand or foot. Some of her disposals were as good as anyone playing at the top level, with her clean hands and one-touch nature at ground level a highlight. She can hit targets over all distances and looms as Western Australia’s critical ball user off half-back.

#9 Ella Slocombe (Claremont)
06/12/2005 | 164cm | Medium Utility

Really stepped up in the match having only played the one WAFLW League match for the reigning premiers in the lead-up to the clash. Her burst speed is what catches the eye, and Slocombe adds a balance of offensive and defensive traits across the ground. Able to play half-back, half-forward, off a wing or inside, Slocombe is the ultimate utility and was a four-quarter performer. At times she got herself into trouble trying to sidestep or break through one too many tackles, but was able to break the lines and provide some impressive attacking plays in the game.

#16 Evie Cowcher (Peel Thunder)
03/08/2007 | 173cm | Tall Defender

Playing well above her age group all WAFL Women’s season, Cowcher was her reliable self in the defence with some strong intercept marks off the back of smart positioning both loose and one-on-one. Though her last kick did get turned over resulting in the winning goal, the decision to go long to the flank and a contest was the right one. Her aerial ability is as good as anyone’s and though she is young, she is simply too good to be overlooked for the Under 18s side for the championships.

#22 Jaime Henry (Swan Districts)
05/10/2005 | 176cm | Inside Midfielder/Defender

The most consistent midfielder for the Under 18s continued doing what she does best, using her strength on the inside and clean hands around the coalface. Playing a little behind the ball at times, particularly early, once Henry slotted into the onball group, the match turned and she started to consistently win the first possession at stoppages. Her strength and ability to fend off opponents is terrific and the left-footer is just a clean ball user, particularly by hand in close, and foot when in space.

#23 Kaitlyn Srhoj (Peel Thunder)
10/07/2005 | 175cm | Inside Midfielder/Winger

Having an interrupted season this year after only returning to the League side for her first full game last round, Srhoj showed her typical athletic traits playing a balance of inside and outside midfield roles. She continued to buzz around the stoppages, finding the ball in each third of the ground. Though at times her execution could be a little off, her long kicking and ability to break the lines stands out and her athletic profile is as good as anyone’s in the draft crop.

#25 Anjelique Raison (East Fremantle)
07/09/2005 | 180cm | Key Position Utility

Looms as the number one forward for Western Australia at the AFL Women’s Under 18 Championships after two goals and also rolling through the ruck and in defence. She kicked back-to-back goals in the third term – albeit from the goalsquare or thereabouts – and missed a set shot from 30m she would normally nail. Nonetheless her aerial ability was too strong for her opponents, and she continued to apply that aggressive defensive pressure throughout the contest. Her presence inside 50 was missed in the final term given her safe hands on the lead.

#31 Olivia Crane (Subiaco)
08/10/2007 | 175cm | Tall Defender/Forward

The double bottom-ager was a slick ball user coming out of defence before being thrown forward in the last term to switch with Raison. She took a number of intercept marks early in the match, and used the ball well in transition. Though she had less impact in the forward half, Crane was able to hit a nice short bullet into Wolmarans in the pocket in the final two minutes of the match.

#32 Olivia Wolmarans (Subiaco)
02/09/2007 | 180cm | Key Forward/Ruck

Largely stationed as a key forward who took some of the ruck stoppages, Wolmarans is one of the more developing talls with some exciting traits. For a 180cm forward, Wolmarans moves well with a terrific vertical leap. She can clunk some terrific marks, and though she might drop others, Wolmarans is often against multiple opponents or facing heavy opposition contact. She gets to the right spots and presents, and once she adds more strength to her athletic frame, she is one to watch.

MISSING IN ACTION

The biggest name missing from the match was AFLW Academy member Georgie Cleaver, with the East Fremantle forward/ruck likely to replace one of the double bottom-agers in the side for the championships. Also missing was South Fremantle tall utility Molly O’Hehir after a heavy clash in her last WAFLW match, as well as injured West Perth duo Megan Norbury and Liliana Grassenis.