A HOST of talented West Australians were missing from Round 15 of the WAFL Women’s competition, but there was still plenty of future stars on offer for their respective sides. We took a look across the four games and noted down some of the standouts across the four matches.

STANDOUT:

#1 Noa McNaughton (South Fremantle)

The South Fremantle goalsneak was lively throughout the game and kicked a couple of great goals on the run and set up at least one more directly to be a menace inside 50. Her first major came from a clever snap nine minutes into the second term which was her sides’ first goal, then kicked her other major from running hard, kicking inside 50 then following up to slot one on the run from 20m. Just earlier, McNaughton wore oncoming contact going back with the flight to punch the ball to space in front of Ella Ward allowing her teammate to run onto it and kick a goal.

OTHERS:

From South Fremantle, Molly O’Hehir had some nice moments, including setting up Ward’s other goal with a kick to the danger zone in the fourth term, but also assisted with McNaughton’s first major thanks to a clean pickup and kick inside 50. Almost always clean by hand or foot, she was a lively contributor in the match. Likewise, double bottom-ager Renee Morgan worked hard all game and got involved in transition. She looked to get cramp midway through the final term but bounced back to run out the match.

Subiaco duo Madison Dodd and Olivia Crane both had some important moments, particularly behind the ball. Mopping up often on the last line or at half-back, Dodd found her fair share of it and usually tried to break down the opposition zones. Crane played through the midfield and rotated back, always looking to cut into the corridor to put pressure on the opposition. Eva Popovsky was slick in close and Charlotte Newland competed well in defence.

STANDOUT:

#32 Liliana Grassenis (West Perth)

As the only State Academy member in the match, Grassenis was the default standout, but also deserving of it because she had an impressive game. Her first term in particular caught the eye, looking to play aggressively from the half-back line, and she laid some strong goal-saving tackles and even timed her spoils well. Though in one instance she conceded a goal to her opponent one-on-one, more often than not, Grassenis was superb and she even laid an elite run-down tackle in the pocket that most definitely saved a goal. Her defensive efforts could not be understated.

STANDOUT:

#8 Dakota Sexton (Peel Thunder)

The Thunder defender-turned-midfielder was solid across the board for three quarters, starting onball and then working hard around the ground. Her deceptive strength in close is good, able to standup in tackles and feed off handballs, and she even won a free kick for getting to the ball first on the wing. In the fifth minute of the final term, Sexton laid a brilliant run-down tackle at half-back to earn a free kick. Her athleticism, in particular her willingness to sidestep, and then hit targets was impressive.

STANDOUT:

#33 Anjelique Raison (East Fremantle)

Though not her biggest game on paper, the key forward/ruck was the most consistent four-quarter player and she did a lot of impressive things that do not go on the stats sheet. She presented well up forward, competed in the marking contests, then applied defensive pressure at ground level. When required, she rolled into the ruck, including at centre stoppages, and would back up her ruck work with second efforts. She provided score assists by positioning her long kicks to the danger zone such as in the third term.

OTHERS:

East Fremantle welcomed back Mylee Leitch from injury and she started the game off putting her body on the line with a smother on the wing. After running hard in the first 18 minutes, she was rewarded with a goal in the opening moments of the second term with a snap off the right under pressure. Caylen Crook also worked hard playing through midfield, while Natasha Entwistle and Taya Chambers showed their competitiveness and clean hands.