SOUTH Australia’s top draft prospects returned for Round 11 of the South Australian National Football League (SANFL) Women’s season on the weekend. As always, we took a look at each of the state academy athletes running around in the League competition, and made notes on their individual performances.

Norwood:

#18 Molly Brooksby

The top-age talent continued her form returning from injury with a solid 13-disposal, three-mark, two-inside 50 and three-rebound 50 performance, as well as a set shot goal in the third term. That came from a great tackle on Jess Chyer, with another shot almost going through but it was intercepted close to the line. Overall, Brooksby was clean with her ball use and took a great contested mark at centre half-back just before the three quarter time siren to stop a forward thrust.

#39 Charli Hazelhurst

Rolling through the ruck, Hazelhurst held her own at times with 10 hitouts from seven disposals and two clearances, as well as a great contested mark. Though she did get pushed under the ball by more experienced opponents at times, Hazelhurst’s great grab just inside 50 followed up by a wonderful kick set up a goal to skipper Alison Ferrall.

#51 Coby Morgan

Morgan had her moments throughout the game, going in hard and being clean at ground level. Her work via hand was terrific, and though her kicking at times was under pressure and had to be forced forward, she applied her own pressure on the opposition defence with her evasion and ability to work hard up and down the ground. Morgan finished with seven disposals and two marks – one contested – in the win.

West Adelaide:

#30 Lauren Young

Though Young’s numbers were down on her best performances, she had a greater presence behind the ball in the match, often intercepting at half-back. She only clunked two marks, but had 17 disposals, five rebound 50s and laid seven tackles to ensure Norwood had to be smart with its ball use going inside 50. Still having an influence on the match, Young worked hard on the defensive side of her game and cleared the ball from danger time and time again. There were some nervous moments late in the contest after going down following a marking contest, but luckily she was able to get back up.

#42 Steph Tredwell

Bringing her trademark pressure to the match, Tredwell did not have many easy touches, but ensured her opponents were in the same boat. She laid a great smother on the half time siren, but had a kick herself smothered later in the fourth quarter as she tried to run around from a set shot. The double bottom-ager recorded five disposals, five tackles and three inside 50s.

#46 Asha Dufour

Rotating between wing and on-ball again, Dufour provided a point of difference at the clearances and allowed Young to roll back into defence. She is still ironing out some polish, but gets to the right spots and presents as a marking option around the ground. Importantly, the bottom-ager impacts on both the offensive and defensive ends, with 15 disposals, four marks, six tackles, five clearances and four inside 50s in the game.

#51 Ruby Ballard

A quieter offensive game from the tough midfielder/forward, but she still hit the scoreboard with a quick shot on goal in the second term for her side’s first of the contest. She put her head over the football and when not winning it herself, locked the ball up in the attacking half of the ground. Ballard laid seven tackles to go with seven disposals, two clearances and a goal.

#64 Chloe Tonkin

Stepping up from her debut game the week before, Tonkin was influential through the ruck, and also as a target around the ground. She won 17 hitouts and clunked three marks – one contested – from eight disposals, often looking to grab the ball out of the contest. Her ground coverage was solid and she was able to win the ball in each third of the field.

Sturt:

#6 India Rasheed

After starting the game slowly as a deep forward and not getting many chances, Rasheed moved into the midfield where she was quite simply sublime. Her second half in particular was outstanding, racking up seven clearances from 18 disposals, while taking five marks – two contested – and collecting six inside 50s. Her stoppage work showed she can easily develop into a midfielder long-term, with her explosive speed and deadly left foot a worry for opposition players. She had a few chances on goal including a set shot that hit the post, but did kick a vital major late in the game running back with the flight and taking it in the goalsquare. By the end of the game, she was one of Sturt’s best, having turned the game with her move into the midfield.

#16 Monique Bessen

Though not the numbers of the week before, Bessen still influenced the game, more so on the defensive end this week. She laid seven tackles and continued to go in hard around the ground, then gave her team a sniff with a brilliant snap and goal off a couple of steps inside 50. Found her fair share of the ball with 12 disposals, but it was her defensive pressure and clean hands in close that separated her from others.

#24 Lily Whitcombe

It was a surprisingly busy first half from the lockdown defender who won a number of her five touches in the opening quarter, providing stiff resistance in defence. Whitcombe relieved her side with a couple of important marks and used the ball well, though was outmuscled by Lucy Northcott later in the second term where her opponent ran in and goaled. Generally played her role well though with reliable composure.

#57 Zara Walsh

It was a quiet game from Walsh who only had the two disposals and two tackles. She had a rushed shot on goal that sprayed wide, and though worked hard up the ground at times, just could not get her hands on the ball much this week.

South Adelaide:

#2 Holly Ifould

The numbers might not tell the story with nine disposals, two marks, four tackles, two clearances and two inside 50s, but Ifould did take another step forward with great pressure around the contest and a couple of strong marks including a contested one with oncoming contact. At one point midway through the fourth term, Ifould fended off an opponent in defence and kicked well to Anderson at half-back, then ran hard to mark the next possession.

#23 Esther Schirmer

Did her best one-on-one, though had a few early uncharacteristic turnovers, including one going out on the full after a mark. She settled down and adapted to the game, even going for a run down the middle in the fourth term, and took a great contested mark against Rasheed by taking front position midway through the final quarter. Schirmer recorded eight disposals, three marks – one contested – four tackles and three rebound 50s.

#37 Brooke Boileau

One of the best on to three quarters time with 20 disposals, Boileau was on track to break personal bests but unfortunately came off early after going down in a tackle at the opening bounce of the fourth term. Ending the game on crutches, the top-ager should only miss between one to two weeks, which is a good result for a player who has enjoyed an impressive year. Prior to her injury, Boileau was everywhere, doing well in close but largely spreading to the outside and providing an option in transition. Attacking the ball and opponent hard around the ground, the inside midfielder picked up a couple of clearances, took five marks and laid eight tackles.

#47 Jacinda Schunselaar

Coming in for her debut at League level, Schunselaar showed off her athleticism in the ruck with a nice leap and clean taps. She did well at ground level with second efforts and even won a free kick early in the game for her defensive pressure. She picked up 19 hitouts, and while only recording three disposals, two clearances and two inside 50s, competed well in the air.

#52 Melissa Anderson

Looking dangerous inside 50, Anderson kicked the first goal of the day for the Panthers, gathering cleanly and putting it onto the right boot to snag a major on the run. She had another chance in the second term but her set shot went wide and out on the full. Applying good defensive pressure at times and providing a hard-running target in the front half of the ground, Anderson was solid with eight touches, one contested mark, four tackles, two inside 50s and a goal.

#53 Alissa Brook

The other Panther on debut, Brook looked comfortable in defence at League level, mopping up time and time again, and reading the play well from the back half of the ground. Remaining accountable while providing some run out of defence, Brook had seven disposals and laid three tackles, but had a nice moment in the second half where she mopped up under pressure and gave off a clean handball to a teammate in order to clear the danger zone.

#56 Lily Baxter

Playing off a wing, Baxter did well at both ends of the ground to support the defence early, then get forward and slot a brilliant goal from 45 metres on the run with a minute left in the first half. Baxter’s work rate and ability to get into the right positions both around the ground and in marking contests caught the eye. The double bottom-ager had 10 disposals, two marks, two rebound 50s and a goal.

Glenelg:

#6 Violet Patterson

Not a high production game, but the Bays’ winger still worked hard around the ground and had a number of pressure acts and contested ball wins even if it resulted in repeat stoppages. She worked into defence and was clean when at the stoppages, with her highlight coming late in the game, running out of defence to hit up Chelsea Packer at centre half-back while the Roosters were storming home in the final few minutes. Patterson finished with eight disposals, one mark, two tackles, two clearances and two rebound 50s.

#8 Piper Window

Tightly guarded around stoppages, Window was not able to influence as much there, but this time found space around the ground and down forward to still have an impact. Kicking one of the goals of the year, Window gathered deep in the pocket and kicked a major out of nothing in the final few minutes of the second term to finish the half with 10 touches. While her life around the stoppages was made more difficult by Chelsea Farr negating her, Window still picked up the five clearances and laid seven tackles, while working hard around the ground to finish with 19 disposals and four marks.

#19 Matilda Wilmore

Adding that defensive pressure to the front half of the ground, Wilmore could have had a memorable game had it not been for a couple of unlucky bounces. Known for her tackling presence, Wilmore laid five and gave her opponents very little, but also went for a few bursts inside 50 for flying shots on goal. Unfortunately, two shots hit the post and another one just bounced the wrong side of the post to finish with three behinds. Had she converted those chances, her game would have been elevated to her best thus far. Still, she played very well and her dashes caught the eye. Wilmore had 10 disposals, one mark, five tackles and four inside 50s on the night.

#20 Poppy Scholz

A crucial match-winner for the Bays, Scholz came alive in the dying minutes with some crunch marks and touches. She took a goal-saving mark on the line with three minutes to play, then charged out to intercept a kick inside 50 and clear it from danger. Scholz was reliable in the air and provided the run out of defence the Bays needed, not giving her opponent Sky Jensen too much space, with the Roosters’ leading goalkicker unable to hit the scoreboard in the match, having kicked 11 goals in 10 matches coming into the contest. Scholz finished with 14 disposals, four marks – one contested – two tackles, two inside 50s and two rebound 50s.

#48 Eloise Mackereth

After showing signs on debut last week largely playing forward, Mackereth went onto a wing and had an impact from the first bounce. Leading all-comers with a whopping seven disposals in the first term, the double bottom-ager often thumped the ball inside 50 to put pressure on the Roosters defence. Though under pressure she can turn the ball over, when given time and space, Mackererth is a lovely user of the ball and was able to place kicks around the ground as the match went on. The Glenelg talent finished with 15 disposals, three marks, two tackles, one clearance, three inside 50s and one rebound 50 in a promising display.

#51 Jordan Horne

Similar to Wilmore, Horne applied plenty of defensive pressure en route to eight tackles, while still winning the ball in close around the stoppages. Her touches might have gone unnoticed given a lot came in congestion and when were often quick dish offs to teammates, but the 2007-born Horne managed 11 disposals, four clearances and two inside 50s to go with her eight tackles.

North Adelaide:

#9 Laela Ebert

A quieter game from Ebert who still presented around the ground and had a couple of nice moments. She showed clean hands when presented with the opportunity, though ultimately finished with five touches, three tackles and one rebound 50 in the contest.

#30 Jayde Visser

Unassumingly finding the ball in close and working to the outside, Visser did well to clear the ball from congestion on a number of occasions, including late in the second quarter with a nice deep kick to the pocket. She recorded the seven disposals, three clearances and two inside 50s in the loss.

#52 Sarcha Taylor

The best of the State Academy members for the Roosters, Taylor had a few set shots that did not quite make the distance or just missed, but always looked dangerous inside 50. She presented well at the ball and took some strong grabs, while also having a number that were either spoiled or bounced off her chest. Had a quick snap on goal in the final three minutes of the match to put her side in front, but her shot was marked on the line by Scholz. Taylor managed 10 disposals, three marks – one contested – one tackle and one inside 50 in the game.

Woodville-West Torrens:

#2 Jemma Charity

The most dangerous forward for the Eagles, Charity looked like she was in for a massive day after the first quarter with two goals and a behind in the opening 20 minutes. Her first game after a strong grab 40 metres out, slotting the goal without any issues. Her next came late in the term from a similar situation, but 10 metres closer. While Charity would end up having a few flying shots on goal, she also unselfishly shepherded through a goal for Chantelle Mitchell rather than soccering off the deck and adding goal to her tally. Charity finished the game with her third goal following a downfield free kick, converting her easiest of the night from 15 metres out. The Eagles bottom-ager had nine disposals, five marks – three contested – four tackles and three goals in an exciting performance.

#7 Grace Martin

While Martin had a few early touches, she would ultimately have a quieter game on the offensive front with just the six disposals, two clearances and two inside 50s. Her defensive pressure was still high and Martin laid six tackles around the ground, even pushing up to half-back at stages to provide an option. Late in the match she gave a good handball off to Goody to set up a goal for Charity.

#30 Marlie Fiegert

Another hard-working performance from the Port Adelaide father-daughter prospect with 14 disposals, four clearances, five inside 50s and six tackles in the loss. She started a little slowly but worked into it nicely with a big second term, and cracked in each chance she got. At the opening centre bounce of the fourth term, Fiegert received a free kick then back-to-back 25 metre penalties, before giving off by hand to the running Goody. The top-ager had some nice moments around the stoppages going forward.

#34 Shineah Goody

Enjoying a great battle with Laitiah Huynh all day, the pair shared the spoils in many regards, both having an impact for their respective sides. Goody was the prominent ball-winner for the Eagles with 19 disposals, and just worked all the way to the final siren. As has become typical for the young star, Goody won the ball in each of the thirds on-field, and showed off her elite hands both at ground level and in the air. Always tightly guarded, Goody worked her way through opposition attention to still have an impact, taking five marks – one contested – and having four clearances, four inside 50s, three rebound 50s and laying four tackles.

#38 Zahlia Niemann

Did her best through the ruck against some high quality opponents, Niemann finished with nine hitouts, four disposals and four tackles, applying pressure at ground level after the initial stoppage. Though still learning her craft, the double bottom-ager is gaining invaluable experience for her bottom-age season next year.

Central District:

#8 Elaine Grigg

Really piecing together a consistent season, particularly over the past month, Grigg added a highlight to her growing reel with a ridiculous goal inside 50. She won it at ground level, spun away from an opponent and kicked off a step to jag the major, which was the Bulldogs’ fifth goal from five inside 50s in the opening 23 minutes. Grigg had a quieter final term after a big first three quarters, but set up a number of scoring opportunities including one to Evans late in the third term. Her hands at ground level and tackling pressure were sublime, and Grigg finished with 19 disposals, two marks, eight tackles, two clearances and a goal.

#12 Sophie Eaton

Eaton is the type of player who does not need a lot of the ball to do damage, and that was the case her, with a number of nice deliveries inside 50 to leading targets. She had a nice long kick on her and while there were a couple of times where she could not take it cleanly due to opposition pressure, she still found ways to impact the game, particularly in the second half running into space. The Under 16s state captain had nine disposals and three inside 50s.

#27 Jasmine Evans

An incredible debut season rolled on for the bottom-age Evans who snagged three goals from 14 disposals, three marks, three tackles and five inside 50s in the win. She had not seen a stack of it in the first 18 minutes of the match, then kicked two in two minutes to end the quarter, with the first running inside 50, and the next getting back to the goalsquare and slotting the easiest of majors. Her third goal came before the three quarter time siren, where Grigg set the ball goalside of the forward who made no mistake running back. After finishing with her three majors, Evans set up a couple herself to fellow forwards Chantel Reynolds and Katelyn Rosenzweig to really complete her performance.