TOP-AGE young gun and reigning South Australian MVP at last year’s AFLW Under 18 Championships, India Rasheed had herself some sort of game during Sturt’s impressive win over Central District at The Ponderosa.

The midfielder/forward racked up 36 disposals and kicked three goals, of which 13 and two respectively came in the last term, helping guide the Double Blues to a huge five-goal win over the reigning premiers. She was dominant across the three quarters, slicing up the opposition with her damaging left foot, and was undoubtedly not only best on ground, but best on across the round further highlighting her potential for the future.

South Australia Girls, Sturt Women'sMidfielder-Forward

India Rasheed

Height: 173cm

Weight: -

DOB: 29-11-2006

PLAYER FOCUS

2024 SANFL Women’s Round 4
Sturt 11.6 (72) defeated Central District 6.6 (42)

#6 India Rasheed (Sturt)
Stats: 36 disposals (31 kicks, 5 handballs), 11 marks, 8 tackles, 5 clearances, 8 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 3 goals

FIRST QUARTER

Rasheed started the match in the midfield and within the first minute had laid a strong tackle won an opening clearance and kicked inside 50. She wold begin ticking over the disposals soon enough, with a great tackle at half-back forcing a turnover.

In the seventh minute of the quarter, she marked in the middle of the ground, and though she made a rare error by foot putting it a little short of her intended target, the next kick was pinpoint precision. Winning it at half-forward, Rasheed spun onto her left and nailed the pass to Georgia King.

Though the subsequent set shot only registered one behind, it gave a good indication of the impact Rasheed would have on the scoreboard for the match both directly and indirectly. She would finish the term with seven disposals to her name.

SECOND QUARTER

Once again Rasheed was in the thick of it, starting at the opening centre bounce and winning the first kick going to half-forward. Her defensive pressure particularly stood out in the opening half of the term, locking the ball up on a number of occasions, and when she did win it, was usually kicking long down the ground to an favourable outnumber contest.

In the 10th minute of the term, Rasheed ran past Millie McCarthy to receive the handball and put the ball deep inside 50 which lead to Alysha Healy soccering a crucial goal off the deck. If that was not enough, Rasheed would take a set shot from 40m out straight in front and never looked like missing in the 17th minute, putting her side in front for the first time by two points.

At half-time, Rasheed had doubled her disposal tally up to 14 with another seven-touch quarter for the Double Blues star, but had also kicked a major and set another up.

THIRD QUARTER

Not wasting any time in the premiership quarter, Rasheed won the first clearance to half-forward but the rushed nature of it meant it was intercepted. Picking up a second touch not long after on the wing, Rasheed was once again able to put the ball forward and maintain the pressure on the Dogs’ defence.

In the fourth minute of the term, Rasheed took a good mark just inside forward 50 to hit up Monique Bessen. A minute later, Rasheed attempted a clever snap in the goalsquare while being tackled, but numbers around the ball meant she was smothered.

After a little break from leather poisoning, Rasheed picked up again late in the term, winning her 20th disposal via a mark and kick to centre half-forward. She would add another disposal to the tally shortly after, again gaining stacks of meterage down the wig.

By three quarter time, Rasheed had 23 disposals to her name and was looking like being the difference in the game. Little did anyone know, that would be an understatement as the Double Blues lead by just three points at the last change.

FOURTH QUARTER

Finishing off in style, Rasheed produced arguably the best quarter of the season by any player – with only Sophie Eaton’s seven-disposal, four-goal term the week before coming close – by racking up 13 touches and kicking two goals. She had the ball on a string and ripped any chance of a Dogs’ victory with her outstanding 20 minutes.

Nearly everything Rasheed touch turned to gold and she consistently put the ball inside 50 or to dangerous positions, with a number of pinpoint passes. Her elite kick to Summer Ross set up a goal for the youngster, then she kicked one of her own in the seventh minute after marking 30 metres out from goal.

That was touch number 30 just seven minutes into the final term, but she was far from done. Aside from one long kick inside 50 that bounced out of bounds, she hit another sizzling pass to Zara Walsh for a set shot, and kicked a goal shortly after from 25m after a one-two with Walsh though kicking rather than handballing.

Rasheed never looked like missing the set shot, and by putting it through the big sticks, made the match the highest scoring SANFLW game in history. At the next centre bounce, Rasheed would win the first touch and clear the ball forward which would mark her 36th disposal of the contest, while Sturt would enjoy a five-goal victory over the reigning premiers.

CLOSING THOUGHTS…

India Rasheed is right up in contention for a top five selection in this year’s AFLW Draft. At 174cm and capable of getting it done not just in the air, but at ground level as well, and also able to win both inside nad outside ball, there is little the midfielder/forward cannot do.

While she is a dominant left-footer, when she is given an inch of space, she can make the opposition pay. Though Rasheed is not always going to put up the ridiculous numbers she did in this match, she has found some great consistency this year buoyed by a non-interrupted preseason. Expect her to be a key player in South Australia’s push for a three-peat of AFLW Under 18 Championship titles.