SKIPPERING the South Australian team at the AFL Women’s Under 16 Championships, midfielder/forward Sophie Eaton lead by example as she went on to win her side’s Most Valuable Player (MVP). After being among the best in game one, Eaton was the clear standout in game two, earning herself the honour as she accepted the trophy for her side winning the Pool A title.

SANFLW SEASON SO FAR:

Averages (7 games): 9.6 disposals, 3.1 marks, 3.0 tackles, 1.7 inside 50s, 3 goals

Eaton has enjoyed an impressive debut season thus far in 2023 for Central District, playing between half-forward and the wing, often in tandem with fellow first-year player, Jasmine Evans. One of the most promising double bottom-agers, Eaton cemented her spot early in the year in a much-improved Bulldogs outfit.

AFLW U16s CARNIVAL:

Entering the AFLW Under 16s carnival as a key player for the Croweaters, Eaton stood up and showed her class at the younger grade after holding her own against stronger and more senior opponents.

Against her peers, Eaton was able to have that additional time and space and utilise her smarts and slick movement to best advantage. Getting a taste of playing inside midfield, it is a role where she looked quite comfortable and could adapt to in the future.

Often statistics do not tell the full story, and it is the case with Eaton who theoretically went at 51.2 per cent efficiency throughout the tournament, but her ability to take risks with pinpoint kicks were a standout.

In game two, 56.5 per cent of her disposals were deemed effective, but one only needs to watch the way she kicks to know she is a superb user of the ball, especially from a technique perspective. In that same second game, she ran at a whopping 61 per cent contested rate which is incredibly for a player who has been almost exclusively in an outside role at Central District.

Statistics:

Game 1: 18 disposals (13 kicks, 5 handballs), 4 marks, 2 tackles, 1 clearance, 5 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 1 goal, 1 behind

Game 2: 23 disposals (16 kicks, 7 handballs), 2 marks, 3 tackles, 8 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 1 behind

STRENGTHS:

Sophie Eaton is a classy player with high game smarts and a strong aerial presence. She has great spatial awareness and can find the right spaces to move into both inside the contest and when in space.

Her leading patterns when inside 50 are also impressive. It lends herself to playing as a forward, or a wing as she has for the Bulldogs, and when on the outside she can deliver with precise passes.

As she showed in the AFLW Under 16 Championships, Eaton is bound to be a complete utility in the future, having stepped up as that inside midfielder, particularly in that second term of the second game where she spearheaded the South Australian lead with her clearance work and ability to put the ball inside 50.

IMPROVEMENTS:

The improvements that will come with more experience include her strength, production and consistency within games. Having just turned 16 years-old, Eaton still has plenty of time on her side to adapt to the bigger bodies and over time will be less nudged out of the way when in one-on-one contests. Similarly, as she develops, Eaton will continue to build her production and therefore consistency within her game. As it stands now, all those traits are typical of a young, developing forward.

SUMMARY:

Sophie Eaton is a player to watch for the future and one of the most promising players among a loaded 2025 AFLW Draft crop. Though it might seem a while away, players such as Eaton are already making big waves against senior opponents and loom as key players for their respective sides.