REIGNING champions South Australia enters the 2023 AFL Women’s Under 18 Championships with plenty of fresh faces, but still an incredibly strong squad as the Croweaters eye off back-to-back titles in 2023. Kicking off its campaign against Western Australia on Sunday, South Australia will predominantly field a top and bottom-age squad with just the two double bottom-agers to feature in the later campaigns during Winter.

FIXTURES:

vs. Western Australia @ Pentanet Stadium, April 30
vs. Vic Metro @ Avalon Airport Oval, July 9
vs. Queensland @ Adelaide Oval, July 15

SQUAD:

Elaine Grigg (Central District)
Sophie Eaton (Central District)+
Jasmine Evans (Central District)
Charlotte Riggs (Central District)
Violet Patterson (Glenelg)
Poppy Scholz (Glenelg)
Piper Window (Glenelg)
Laela Ebert (North Adelaide)
Molly Brooksby (Norwood)
Coby Morgan (Norwood)
Melissa Anderson (South Adelaide)
Brooke Boileau (South Adelaide)
Alissa Brook (South Adelaide)
Esther Schirmer (South Adelaide)
Jacinda Schunselaar (South Adelaide)
Monique Bessen (Sturt)+
Holly Ifould (Sturt)
India Rasheed (Sturt)
Zara Walsh (Sturt)
Lily Whitcombe (Sturt)
Ruby Ballard (West Adelaide)
Lucy Boyd (West Adelaide)
Asha Dufour (West Adelaide)
Emma Kilpatrick (West Adelaide)
Lauren Young (West Adelaide)
Jemma Charity (Woodville-West Torrens)
Chloe Charity (Woodville-West Torrens)
Marlie Fiegert (Woodville-West Torrens)
Shineah Goody (Woodville-West Torrens)
Grace Martin (Woodville-West Torrens)

+ denotes double bottom-ager (2025 AFLW Draft)

KEY TOP-AGE PLAYERS:

Lauren Young (West Adelaide)
16/09/2005 | 177cm | Tall Utility

Few could have forgotten the impact the then-15 year-old had on the AFL Women’s Under 18 Championships, when Young dominated as a special exemption player to win South Australia’s MVP and All-Australian honours. Capable of playing midfield, forward or back, Talent Manager Robbie Neill earmarked the forward 50 as where she will predominantly play this carnival.

Shineah Goody (WWT Eagles)
08/11/2005 | 162cm | Midfielder

Last year’s overall MVP as well as All-Australian, Goody has been a remarkable talent since she set foot in the SANFL Women’s. Not blessed with the same height as Young, Goody has elite skills, decision making and vision, is capable of playing all three lines and is strong overhead for a 162cm player. The most skilful player in the draft crop who has few to no weaknesses in her game.

Molly Brooksby (Norwood)
18/07/2005 | 171cm | Midfielder

The talented top-ager might be forgiven for being a bit rusty heading into game one of the AFLW Under 18 Championships this weekend, coming off knee and hamstring issues that disrupted the start to her year. Brooksby looked good in the first half on the weekend but will be better for the run. The midfielder can play inside or outside and possesses the ability to hit 45m kicks on either side of her body.

Piper Window (Glenelg)
30/07/2005 | 166cm | Midfielder/Forward

Incredibly close to leading the SANFL Women’s league best and fairest to-date, Window has been outstanding despite an up-and-down season from the Bays. Though she will be without her partner-in-crime Matilda Scholz, Window is hard to stop in the midfield with explosive speed, strength and an ability to consistently hit the scoreboard when inside 50.

Elaine Grigg (Central District)
23/12/2005 | 165cm | Winger/Forward

Grigg adds a different element to the midfield group compared to the above, with her energy and evasion from tacklers a standout trait. Her defensive pressure is as good as anyone’s and she is more than capable to setting up offensive plays as well. A creative talent who knows where the goals are, Grigg can roll inside if need be, or be the release handball receive player to run the ball down the ground.

FUTURE WATCH:

Sturt forward India Rasheed has been phenomenal since returning from injury and looms as one of the top prospects for next year. Fellow forward Jemma Charity – who can play on all three lines – and Violet Patterson who is an eligible father-daughter selection for the Pies in 2024, are a couple who missed out on getting on the park in 2023 despite being named in the squad. Athletic talls Charlotte Riggs and Lucy Boyd are also top-end talents for next year.

PREDICTION:

South Australia is the team to beat at this year’s championships, with an envy of riches across all three lines. They lost ruck Scholz to Port Adelaide, but still have an elite midfield, a dangerous forwardline and a difficult defence to combat. The squad seems even more balanced than last year, and will be enjoyable to watch throughout the carnival.