IN the latest edition of our WAFL Women’s State scouting notes for Round 10 of the 2023 season, we highlighted 10 players across the four games who are members of the 2023 State Academies and stood out across the competition.

STANDOUTS:

#2 Evie Cowcher (Peel Thunder)

The rebounding defender was again steadfast in the back 50 up against some immense pressure and plenty of forward 50 entries from the Tigers. For the most part, she was able to use the ball effectively and make good decisions by hand or foot. During the third term she uncharacteristically put two balls out on the full, but recomposed herself and took a a strong intercept mark later in the game. Overall another strong effort.

#16 Ella Slocombe (Claremont)

The pick of the State Academy members in the game, Slocombe is enjoying an incredibly wonderful season, and racked up another 17 disposals, four marks, seven inside 50s and booted 2.2. She finds space, bursts away and looks dangerous every time she goes near it. One of the genuine draft bolters this season and looms as a highly touted pick off the back of a terrific start. Clean by hand and with athletic traits that catch the eye, she is one to watch throughout the rest of the season.

OTHERS:

Boasting the most State Academy members of any game, Peel Thunder’s Kaitlyn Srhoj again had some nice moments as she tried throughout the contest, as did Claremont top-ager Eva O’Donnell. Defender/midfielder Dakota Sexton applied plenty of defensive pressure. Holly Britton had some slick handballs and was clean at ground level, while Jayde Musika kicked a great goal off the back of a stoppage for Claremont. Charlotte Tompkin and Mackenzie Webb also contributed, while Kate Newson battled on against one of the league’s best rucks in Matilda Dyke.

STANDOUT:

#33 Molly O’Hehir (South Fremantle)

The sole State Academy member in the match, O’Hehir backed up her form last week with another outstanding game against the Royals. She picked up 17 touches, five marks, six tackles, six inside 50s and booted 1.2, setting up numerous scoring chances. Her goal came from a set shot, with another one only just missing. Showing great composure and strength one-on-one when able to get to the front, O’Hehir takes the game on and is so dynamic as a player.

STANDOUTS:

#33 Anjelique Raison (East Fremantle)

Providing the sole goalscoring option inside 50, Raison would finish with three goals from five scoring shots and clunk four marks to go with her 11 disposals. Realistically she should have had another missing a set shot from 20m out off an intercept mark, then her next on on the run was touched off the boot. Overall though her leading and conversion was solid and she was able to be a reliable source of scoring inside 50.

#7 Georgie Cleaver (East Fremantle)

Stepping up in the ruck and winning more than her fair share of hitouts, Cleaver was not afraid to get her hands dirty and win the ball at ground level too. She only had the nine touches, but her tap work and defensive pressure was really noticeable, and she was impressively clean considering the conditions in the middle of the WACA.

#38 Zippy Fish (East Fremantle)

Though not as prolific in terms of production as other weeks, Fish was still a smooth-moving and composed player off half-back. She put her body on the line early and was clean at ground level, with a couple of nice runs out of defence in the third term. In her play of the day seven minutes in, the bottom-ager won the handball, took a bounce, weaved around an opponent and kicked to half-forward, then ran forward to assists. She also had a nice run-down tackle on Crane.

#15 Olivia Crane (Subiaco)

Rotating between midfield and defence, Crane was able to assist behind the ball, then push up to the stoppages and win it cleanly in there. She was able to even get forward and try and have a shot on goal but that fell short. Her work overall was consistent with what the double bottom-ager has produced this season, often kicking long out of defence, or providing some nice run in transition.

#40 Olivia Wolmarans (Subiaco)

After an eye-catching performance last week, Wolmarans was able to produce again, kicking an early goal off a step from 45m. She clunked a couple of contested marks and had a few other chances, as well as had a couple of shots on goal that either fell short or just missed. As a player still developing into her frame, Wolmarans has high upside for the future as that key position forward.

OTHERS:

Subiaco duo Eva Popovsky and Madison Dodd were among the better Lions on the day, while defender Charlotte Newland also played her role. For the Sharks, Natasha Entwistle and Caylen Crook cracked in.

STANDOUTS:

#11 Jaime Henry (Swan Districts)

The AFLW Academy member was our WAFLW Player Focus for this week after a 24-disposal, four-mark, three-tackle, five-inside 50 and two-rebound 50 effort against the Falcons. Her full performance was detailed in that player focus, with her clean hands and strength on full display again.

>> JAIME HENRY WAFLW PLAYER FOCUS

#1 Megan Norbury (West Perth)

In her best game for the season, Norbury returned to the form that caught the eye last season, winning the ball and using it well by hand or foot. Providing run on the outside and moving into the stoppages, Norbury showed she can play both roles effectively. While he side was ultimately overwhelmed, she was one of the best with her composure and skill on display.

OTHERS:

Returning from injury, Liliana Grassenis moved back to her defensive role after playing forward in the first half of the season. She had a few nice moments with her defensive pressure and tried to clear the area, though was apart of a defence under siege in the second half.