BACK for another year, Rookie Me Central’s 24 to Watch in 2024 returns and this time around, the focus is on underage players, being those who are yet to have an AFLW Draft chance. For the list of 2024, it will range between players who are predominantly 2006 (top-age) and 2007-born talents likely to take the SANFL Women’s by storm or set themselves up for the future.

One of the biggest improvers in season 2023 was West Adelaide’s Asha Dufour, with the bottom-ager establishing herself on the wing, and then earning midfield minutes to suggest a role for the future. Despite missing out on taking the field for her state, Dufour was still among the names included in the South Australia squad and will be tipped to play a big role this year.

ASHA DUFOUR PROFILE

DOB: 31/08/2006
Height: 168cm
Position: Wing/Midfielder
Club: West Adelaide

SUMMARY

Dufour made her debut in 2022 as a 15-year-old, and played six games, averaging 10.8 disposals, 1.8 marks, 1.5 clearances, 1.8 inside 50s and critically, 4.0 tackles. Showing her impressive ground coverage and defensive pressure, the West Adelaide teenager finished off her double bottom-age season with an 18-disposal, five-tackle, four-clearance game against the Eagles – her best of the season.

Fast forward to 2023, and Dufour cracked into the side in Round 3, then never left, recording double-digit disposals in each of her 10 games. Though she only kicked a goal in her first two games, Dufour became a consistent aerial player, taking a truckload of marks, while bringing defensive heat once she moved inside.

Across the first three quarters of the season, Dufour showed flashes of brilliance while still working on her polish, but it was the move inside at Round 9 that took her game to another level. The bottom-ager racked up 26 disposals, five marks, five clearances, six tackles, two inside 50s and three rebound 50s to give her confidence of a future on-ball.

Dufour continued to win the ball both inside and outside producing three of her four biggest games of the season in the final month. In that time, Dufour notched up an average of 19.5 disposals, 4.3 marks, 7.5 tackles and 4.0 clearances in a purple patch to end the year. Heading into 2024, the form in the backend of the year will give her even more confidence to go on with it as a top-ager and provide a great inside-outside presence.

SANFLW 24 TO WATCH IN 2024:

>> Coby Morgan (Norwood)
>> Esther Schirmer (South Adelaide)
>> Emma Kilpatrick (West Adelaide)
>> Lily Baxter (South Adelaide)
>> Grace Martin (Woodville-West Torrens)
>> Laela Ebert (North Adelaide)
>> Steph Tredwell (West Adelaide)
>> Matilda Wilmore (Glenelg)
>> Charli Hazelhurst (Norwood)
>> Chloe Tonkin (West Adelaide)
>> Imogen Trengove (Woodville-West Torrens)