FOUR teams remain in the SANFL Women’s competition after four club campaigns officially wrapped up over the weekend. We took note of the State Academy members and how they performed in the last round of the SANFLW season. As always notes are the opinion of the individual author.

West Adelaide:

#2 Lucy Boyd (Defender)

Stats: 9 disposals, 5 marks, 7 tackles, 1 inside 50, 1 rebound 50

it might have been a quieter day on the production front, but Boyd’s greatest strengths still came to the fore in her aerial presence and ground level pressure. She clunked several crucial marks – often intercepting or running hard in space – and then got her hands dirty by applying multiple tackles. She pushed forward late in the game to see if she could be the difference, but ultimately the side just fell short.

#14 Chloe Tonkin (Forward)

Stats: 1 disposal, 1 tackle, 3 hitouts, 1 inside 50

Copped a big knock early in the second term after only having the one touch for the game. Her disposal came midway through the first term with a free kick sent to a contest, while also winning three hitouts in the time she was out there.

#15 Asha Dufour (Midfielder)

Stats: 21 disposals, 5 marks (1 contested), 6 tackles, 3 clearances, 1 inside 50, 3 rebound 50s

Played her usual role and buzzed around the ground well. She accumulated the ball with ease on the inside and spread to the outside, taking several strong marks. Unfortunately she just bombs the ball on the boot under pressure and in one instance into the player on the mark after taking a good mark herself, limiting the hurt factor by foot. She covers ground with ease though and tried hard through the four quarters.

#22 Ruby Ballard (Forward/Midfielder)

Stats: 11 disposals, 4 marks (1 contested), 12 tackles, 3 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

Started forward and rolled into the midfield where she applied enormous amounts of heat around the contest. She was naturally clean at ground level, fierce when tackling and won it in each third of the ground. She also manage to snag a few clearacnes this week, with Ballard playing her role and doing what she could for her side.

#27 Emma Kilpatrick (Wing)

Stats: 16 disposals, 6 marks (2 contested), 4 tackles, 1 inside 50, 1 rebound 50

Kilpatrick was one of the better Bloods on the day, working hard up and down the wing. Her highlights included an outstanding run-down tackle six minutes into the final term, as well as continually putting it deep to the hotapot inside 50. When the heat was on late, Kilpatrick kept trying to drive the ball forward and create some run and carry in transition.

#44 Emily Mableson (Defender)

Stats: 11 disposals, 2 marks, 2 tackles, 1 clearance

A composed player at half-back, Mableson has a neat, short and sharp pass that can hit targets on the 45-degree angle. She mostly stuck to those precise kicks in the game, but did give off the odd handball to release a runner. She did well mopping up in defence, and Mableson wrapped up her debut SANFLW season with a strong performance.

Norwood:

#2 Coby Morgan (Wing)

Stats: 7 disposals, 5 tackles, 1 inside 50

A quieter game from Morgan who was overshadowed by Kilpatrick, but had some great one-on-ones and naturally brought her defensive pressure. She went in hard and looked to get it to the outside whenever possible.

#39 Charli Hazelhurst (Defender)

Stats: 2 disposals, 2 marks, 6 tackles

Was not called upon to do too much, with only the couple of touches and two marks, but did put her body on the line several times in both marking contests and when laying tackles to play her role in the backline.

#61 Kate Alexander (Ruck)

Stats: 5 disposals, 5 tackles, 23 hitouts, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50

Found plenty of hitouts throughout the game using her height and tap work to advantage. Though her around the ground work was often under pressure, Alexander did win a nice clearance after winning the hitouts just moments after having the wind taken out of her sails.

By: Nathan Sepe

Sturt:

#6 India Rasheed (Midfielder/Forward)

Stats: 29 disposals, 8 marks, 7 inside 50s, 2 goals

It was a showcase of everything draftable about Rasheed, a performance met with cleanliness, speed, aggression, scoreboard impact, kicking efficiency, and marking ability. Rasheed came out firing in the first quarter, clean with her disposal to size up options inside 50 with her darting left foot kicks. She kicked two goals of her own through her intercepting smarts, reading the movement of the ball inside forward 50 to cut off two exiting kicks from Roosters defenders.

As she moved into the middle of the ground, her speed out of the stoppages created space further up the ground, and there was conviction in her ability to execute kicks into the corridor and shake things up in transition. Her speed rewarded her with an eye-catching run-down tackle to win her a holding-the-ball free kick.

#16 Monique Bessen (Midfielder/Forward)

Stats: 19 disposals, 7 marks, 4 tackles

The connection between Bessen and Rasheed was evident in their classy read of each other’s play. Bessen presented well inside 50 and was often unchallenged with the space she created. Whilst she was able to find plenty of the football in the forward half, most of her touches were too far from goal, with the one chance on goal she had a snap that went wide. Moving up the ground, she was a lively presence in transition and was unlucky on multiple occasions with her kicks that were centimetres off nailing a teammate, with a few out of her control. Her marking ability came to the fore late in the contest, committing to marking contests down the line, and helped to relieve some pressure in the defensive half.

#17 Sophie Thredgold (Defender)

Stats: 12 disposals, 3 marks, 4 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s

Thredgold’s second efforts lifted her game quite quickly, finding different ways to win the footy, and when she did, she was able to impact with sharp, well-executed kicks in transition. Her intercept presence was tough in the first half, taking a few strong grabs, and taking on some strong contact from the opposition. She was prepared to take the game on with a couple of her kicks and remained a reliable contributor as the game wore on.

North Adelaide:

#19 Laela Ebert (Defender)

Stats: 22 disposals, 3 marks, 1 tackle, 1 clearance, 3 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

Ebert’s role was defined by her ability to roll out off half-back and provide some directional presence in North Adelaide’s transition. She was able to utilise her strength in one-on-one battles, giving her space to get off a quick handball. There was a consistent willingness in her game to attack with every possession, however, uncharacteristically her kicking let her down at times, needing a bit more conviction moving down the line. She was tactically one of North Adelaide’s best, holding her width well and finding good spots to impact with the football.

Woodville-West Torrens:

#3 Bianca Portaro (Defender/Midfielder)

Stats: 7 disposals, 8 tackles, 1 rebound 50

Spent the majority of the match in defence and after a four-disposal first term, had a quieter last three quarters. Largely it was due to the ball not being in her area, or when it was, she was focused on quelling her opponent. Defensively she was strong, laying eight tackles and sticking to the task well.

#7 Grace Martin (Midfielder)

Stats: 12 disposals, 2 marks, 5 tackles, 3 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 1 goal, 1 behind

Started on-ball and won the first clearance of the day, getting busy in the opening quarter. She generally used the ball well by hand or foot, and slotted a crucial goal at the 13-minute mark of the third term. She took a mark running hard in an awkward position, then went back and nailed the set shot from 35m out to extend the lead out to 15 points. She had another couple of chances but could not quite direct them on target. Still, Martin was productive throughout the game and one of the Eagles’ best.

#15 Lucy Moore (Midfielder)

Stats: 12 disposals, 6 tackles, 6 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 1 behind

A lof of her work came in close with half of her touches being clearances. Moore was fierce around the stoppages and had the ball for the last kick of the second half though 60m out would have been a bridge too far for anyone. Moore came agonisingly close to kicking a winning goal by winning it, bursting away and taking a flying shot, but it just missed to the right behind.

#18 Klaudia O’Neill (Forward)

Stats: 7 disposals, 3 marks (2 contested), 2 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

Playing forward once again, O’Neill worked hard not just inside the 50 but up the ground as well, presenting strongly and showing her good hands. Rarely ever out-marked, O’Neill brings the ball to ground and still competes, with a couple of unlucky bounces not going here way that could have generated scores. She looked dangerous inside 50 throughout though.

#22 Imogen Trengove (Defender)

Stats: 6 disposals, 4 tackles, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50, 1 rebound 50, 1 behind

Did not find a heap of the ball but played aggressive as a defender to push up the ground and get involved. She was quick by hand to dish off to teammates, and at times stationed up to the wing where she could impact the contest. Had some nice moments since making her debut that will hold her in good stead for next year.

Glenelg:

#6 Violet Patterson (Midfielder)

Stats: 16 disposals, 1 mark, 9 tackles, 4 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

Patterson never takes a backwards step and she did not start on the weekend. Racking up six disposals in the first term, the tough midfielder worked hard around the ground to do what she could to drag her team over the line. When crunched in a marking contest in the second term, she bounced back up to take her kick but tried to step around Poppy Waterford and was pinged holding hte ball. Other than that, there was not too much to fault with Patterson setting up scoring options inside 50 including a clever kick around her body late to put it to the top of the goalsquare for Mackereth to mark.

#9 Eloise Mackereth (Forward)

Stats: 7 disposals, 1 mark, 2 tackles, 1 goal

It might not be your game, but it can be your moment, which rang true for Mackereth who is making a habit of influencing results with late scores. After a quieter first three quarters of ‘almosts’, Mackereth came alive in the final term and looked like kicking a stack of goals. She was thwarted by Annie Falkenberg at first, then when marking at the top of the goalsquare in the 11th minute looked set to put her side in front. Incredibly she kicked into the player on the mark and it was rushed through for a behind. However another moment would come for Mackereth five minutes later when winning it in a contested situation near the behind post, Mackereth snapped across her body and it threaded the eye of the needle to set up the Bays’ win.

#19 Matilda Wilmore (Forward)

Stats: 3 disposals, 3 marks (1 contested), 1 tackle, 1 goal

Back to her forward role where she can bring the heat, Wilmore kicked an important major midway through the second term when she receive a handball from Jordan Horne while on the move and strolled into an open goal. Wilmore’s other main highlight was a strong contested mark on the wing late in the third quarter.

#59 Georgie Fielder (Forward/Wing)

Stats: 11 disposals, 2 marks, 2 tackles, 1 inside 50, 2 rebound 50s

The 2008-born Fielder continues to show promise as a developing talent at the Bays, with a couple of nice bursts and an ability to clear the ball from danger. She works hard to get back and help out her defenders, and while still adapting to senior level, has come along nicely as each week went by this seaosn.

Central District:

#3 Miyu Endersby (Defender)

Stats: 7 disposals, 1 mark, 5 tackles, 1 hitout, 1 inside 50, 2 rebound 50s

Played deep in defence and spent time on Emily Brockhurst, winning her own touches via intercept, and then having a fantastic spoil on the South Adelaide forward early in the third term. She pushed up to hold a high line at half-back and competed well in the air and at ground level, and while she erred when dispossessed by Brockhurst midway through the fourth term that led to a goal, as a whole, Endersby competed well in a tough role.

#9 Charlotte Riggs (Defender)

Stats: 19 disposals, 6 marks (2 contested), 4 tackles, 1 clearance, 4 rebound 50s

A standout for the Bulldogs and worked hard all game with her aerial presence making life a little more difficult for the Panthers. She spent time on Brockhurst, Lucy Northcott and Doreena Hansen, and was more often than not able to win or nullify the one-on-ones. Riggs had a highlight play late in the second term where she won a one-on-one, burst past some opponents and kicked long to hit Lord right on the boundary of the wing.

#12 Sophie Eaton (Wing)

Stats: 11 disposals, 5 marks, 2 tackles, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50, 3 rebound 50s

Spent her time covering the ground well between the arcs and often working back to aid the defence where the ball was primarily stationed. Her kicking was sublime as per usual, and she always looked to go into the corridor even if it might have been a risk. Her kicking action is outstanding and she was able to take a number of strong marks as well.

#27 Jasmine Evans (Forward)

Stats: 7 disposals, 1 mark, 2 tackles, 1 inside 50

It was a quieter day for the talented Evans who was tightly guarded by Samantha Pratt given the Panthers know what Evans is capable of in a match. She still managed to find a few touches – and produced a huge run-down tackle on Jaslynne Smith early in the fourth quarter, but had limited supply and was well contained.

#31 Tara Lord (Forward)

Stats: 10 disposals, 2 marks, 6 tackles, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50, 1 goal

Bobbed up throughout the match and looked to have developed some new tricks. She kicked a great goal on the run in the fifth minute of the final term and then attended the next centre stoppage giving a glimpse into a potential midfield rotational role for the future. She laid a bone-crunching tackle on Jordann Hickey to win a free kick and buzzed around for four quarters. Though she is still working on some of her decision making, overall she played well.

#54 Mikaylah Antony (Defender)

Stats: 6 disposals, 1 mark, 3 tackles, 1 inside 50, 1 rebound 50

Went head-to-head against Archbold through the match and the pair nullified each other out, with Antony able to clear on a couple of occasions, and then late in the match had an eye-catching moment by sidestepping Brockhurst and kicking neatly into the corridor.

South Adelaide:

#17 Shae Archbold (Forward)

Stats: 8 disposals, 2 tackles, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50, 1 behind

Did battle with Antony and the pair had a great clash, with Archbold only managing the one snap for a behind, but also limiting Antony’s drive out of defence. The South Adelaide forward worked up the ground and looked to put the ball into dangerous positions, setting up Brockhurst’s third goal late in the premiership quarter with a great play and nice kick to spot the loose option inside 50.

#19 Taya Maxwell (Forward/Ruck)

Stats: 10 disposals, 1 mark (1 contested), 4 tackles, 14 hitouts, 5 clearances, 5 inside 50s

The backup ruck provided a stack of support to Soriah Moon, with the double bottom-ager winnin a massive five clearances to go with 14 hitouts. Often taking it out of the ruck or finding space to clear it, Maxwell has done well over the last couple of weeks heading into finals and her strong contested mark on the wing was a huge highlight late in the game.

#20 Layla Vizgaudis (Utility)

Stats: 11 disposals, 3 tackles, 1 clearance, 2 inside 50s

Had a couple of ‘almost’ moments in the match, starting strongly and having a chance to thread the eye of the needle from a tight angle. Her classy finish from 25m was on target but i just held up and was rushed across the line. While her wing and forward rotation was still in play, with the match in the bag, Vizgaudis was sent inside and attended a centre bounce six minutes into the fourth term. She spread to the outside and won a touch in that extraction, and looked lively throughout the match.

#23 Esther Schirmer (Defender)

Stats: 10 disposals, 3 marks, 3 tackles, 2 rebound 50s

Though having played offensive roles in the past, with the Panthers missing Tiffany King, Schirmer was asked to do the job on Katelyn Rosenzweig. She won that battle and though the Bulldogs forward did kick a goal, that was just a moment of class. In the one-on-ones, Schirmer won the majority and remarkably did not allow her opponent to take a mark, just the third time in four seasons a player has been able to achieve the feat.

#25 Emma Charlton (Forward/Wing)

Stats: 10 disposals, 3 marks (1 contested), 4 tackles, 1 clearance, 2 inside 50s

Found the going a little tougher than recent weeks but kept presenting, clunking what looked to be a great mark early in the match but it was not paid. She presented time and time again, and got better as the match went on, producing a big third term to keep the ball moving in transition and do the defensive things as well including an outstanding smother on Dakota Williams to lock the ball inside the attacking 50.

#56 Lily Baxter (Wing)

Stats: 15 disposals, 4 marks, 2 tackles, 1 clearance

Baxter was another wing who ran hard all day and competed well against her direct opponent. She got back to help her defenders and stood as a sweeper when the ball was at half-forward. She took a nice couple of marks in the third term at half-back, and pulled out the party tricks in the fourth quarter, selling candy to Eaton before handballing off. Found her fair share of the ball and played well though the contest.