SOUTH Australia is the first state to lock in its 30-player Under 16s Girls squad for the upcoming AFL Women’s Under 16 Championships in April. The first match will take place as part of the Gather Round festivities on April 6-7 at Prospect Oval, before remaining at home for the second and final match against Western Australia a week later at Thebarton Oval.

A trio of South Adelaide players in Emma Charlton, Taya Maxwell and Layla Vizgaudis, and Central District young gun Miyu Endersby all have experience at the national championships from last season. Charlton is of course the younger sister of Adelaide’s Teah, one of three siblings who have been past and present members of the South Australian program.

Neveah Ebert (Laela) and Charlee Brooksby (Molly) are the other two representatives, while Central District’s Tara Lord is among the dual sports players, having being a high level junior softballer.

From a team’s perspective, North Adelaide (six) leads the way with representatives in the squad, making up 20 per cent. West Adelaide (five) is the next best, with Central District, Norwood and Woodville-West Torrens all having four apiece. South Adelaide and Sturt recorded three representatives, while Glenelg has the one.

Bek McMahon will guide the state once again, having led South Australia to success at the 2023 edition. The head coach will be assisted by an all-female coaching panel in Emma Sampson (outside midfielders), Brianna Arthur (inside midfielders), Talia Radan (defenders) and Kelly Barltrop (forwards) who all have extensive SANFL Women’s experience.