REIGNING back-to-back titleholders South Australia begins its national carnival tomorrow, with the Croweaters now able to control their own destinies. While going undefeated might have meant battling Queensland for percentage, now the Maroons have lost, it means South Australia will have threats in Vic Metro and Western Australia, both of whom it plays this year.

In today’s article, we take a look at some of the names to watch and all you need to know about the South Australia’s national championships campaign.

AFLW ACADEMY MEMBERS

India Rasheed
Glenunga / Sturt
Midfielder / Forward | 174cm | 29/11/2006

The potential top five prospect has seemingly and relatively floated under the radar this season despite being an out and out star and one of the best players in the SANFL Women’s competition. The tall midfielder/forward boasts an elite left foot, has outstanding footy IQ and elevated her game to another level in 2024. Always a skilful forward, Rasheed has the size and stoppage nous to be a midfielder who pinch-hits forward, and is the best forward of the top picks.

Poppy Scholz
Mitcham / Glenelg
Key Position Utility | 180cm | 31/12/2006

If there’s a ‘Fix It’ player in this year’s draft class, then Scholz may well be it. The sister of Port Adelaide’s Matilda stands at 180cm and has played as a wing (double bottom-age season), ruck, forward and onballer, but primarily as a defender. Her aerial ability and all-round athleticism, as well as her understanding of the play and positioning int he back half makes her so valuable behind the ball. Has had a serious ankle injury this year but returned for Glenelg’s preliminary final. Only one day off being a bottom-ager too.

Georgia McKee
Golden Grove / Central District
Forward | 160cm | 24/04/2006

It has been and up and down season for McKee who was in and out of the Central District side a bit, but when on the park is full blown quality. One of three Bulldogs in the AFLW Academy, the Golden Grove prospect might not be tall, but has elite skills and footy smarts, as well as goal sense. Has only played as a deep forward upon her return from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury last year, but showed as an Under 16 talent that she can easily play on-ball and further up the ground.

Jasmine Evans
Salisbury / Central District
Forward / Wing | 166cm | 05/02/2006

Burst onto the scene last year for the Bulldogs and became a premiership player in her debut season for Central District. Incredibly skilful and one of those ‘stops time’ prospects, Evans is not a massive accumulator like some others, but hardly ever wastes a touch. Impressed so much in 2023 that she gained an invite to the AFLW Academy, and was one of the most consistent goalkickers across the 2024 SANFLW season.

Charlotte Riggs
Angle Vale / Central District
Key Position Utility | 181cm | 02/11/2006

Similarly to Scholz, Riggs has the potential to play across all three lines, but essentially in key position spots. A natural intercept defender, Riggs has been known to be thrown forward when her side needs a marking target, while also rolling through the ruck. Boasts an amazing vertical jump and has the potential to get involved in transition. A lot of upside with the bubbly teenager who, like Evans, became a premiership player last season at just 16.

OTHERS TO WATCH

Grace Martin
SMOSH West Lakes / WWT Eagles
Midfielder / Forward | 164cm | 01/09/2006

Martin would be in the discussion for most improved player across the 2024 AFLW Draft class. Over the off-season, the Eagles midfielder worked hard on her speed and reaped the benefit like few others. A touch one-paced in years gone by, it was perhaps the only element holding her back and now she has developed a quick first few steps to breakaway from opponents. A naturally skilled player who has that brilliant balance of footy attributes and toughness.

Violet Patterson
Plympton / Glenelg
Midfielder / Forward | 163cm | 29/04/2006

Speaking of toughness, Patterson is potentially the toughest player pound-for-pound going around. The potential Collingwood father-daughter prospect – daughter of 96-gamer Stephen – Patterson is a fierce tackler who has spent time in a range of roles. Predominantly an inside-outside midfielder with an outstanding running capacity, Patterson has worked on her skills over the off-season which has brought about a higher impact on games, and a move on-ball has seen her numbers rise exponentially.

Laela Ebert
Modbury / North Adelaide
Defender / Midfielder | 167cm | 17/04/2006

Having suffered two ACL injuries in the past, though the most recent being across the 2022 season, Ebert has now had a couple of seasons to show her wares. Last year she played as a lockdown or nullifying defender, but in 2024, has been released to play as a running half-back and midfielder. Considering her elite skills, she is a player teammates want to get the ball in the hands of, and while predominantly a second possession winner, Ebert impacts games with her decision making.

Esther Schirmer
Christies Beach / South Adelaide
Defender | 177cm | 08/06/2006

In a similar boat to Ebert in terms of roles, Schirmer has largely played as a lockdown or nullifying defender, but in 2024, opened up to play a more attacking brand of football. She won her second consecutive SANFLW Team of the Year spot, and the Christies Beach prospect showed she has both offensive and defensive elements to her game. Boasting nice closing speed and a good vertical leap, Schirmer is competitive one-on-one, but is also a good decision maker.

Shae Archbold
McLaren Vale / South Adelaide
Forward | 168cm | 07/09/2006

Yet another player who had to overcome an ACL injury, Archbold started to show the best of her Under 16s form late in the year after her bottom-age season was wiped out due to the injury. Competitive and strong overhead, Archbold has a booming left-foot kick that is perhaps only bested by Rasheed in this group, as well as being able to kick some miraculous goals. A good carnival will only elevate her stocks as she is a quality player with enormous potential.

Ruby Ballard
Mitcham / West Adelaide
Forward / Midfielder | 155cm | 07/09/2006

The younger sister of Adelaide’s Abbie, Ballard is a chip off the old block from her sibling. She is only small like her sister, but fierce and not afraid to throw her weight around in reckless abandonment. A nice kick of the ball, Ballard will likely be utilised as a pressure forward who can also rotate through the midfield. She is a distributor who can hit targets inside 50, and while not a huge accumulator, does plenty of nice things with ball in hand.

Lucy Boyd
Blackwood / West Adelaide
Defender | 174cm | 12/10/2006

A dual-roled defender who can play offensive or lockdown tasks, as well as oppose talls or smalls, Boyd possesses fantastic hands and a reliable long kick. She is powerful and takes the game on, looking to breakthrough tackles and thump the ball down the field. Still with areas to develop, Boyd has raw potential and can also play as a marking forward – as she has in past national carnivals – or pinch-hit through the midfield.

BOTTOM-AGE STARS

Sophie Eaton
Light / Central District
Forward / Midfielder | 170cm | 23/04/2007

Last year’s Under 16s South Australian MVP and skipper of the title-winning Croweaters, Eaton became a SANFLW premiership player at 16. Largely a forward at senior level last year, she rotated between the wing and inside 50 at the Dogs in 2024. Seen as an inside midfielder for the future, Eaton is challenged to up her contested ball-winning ability to help her control the stoppages as her skills and decision making are as good as anyone’s going around.

Monique Bessen
Hahndorf / Sturt
Midfielder / Forward | 174cm | 05/02/2007

Formed a brilliant one-two punch with Rasheed at the Double Blues this season, the Hahndorf talent is definitely among the better prospects for next year. Decision making and impact-per-possession are her standout traits, with Bessen able to do a lot of damage by hand or foot. Has a nice first few steps as well to create separation, and importantly can hit the scoreboard when forward, or more importantly, set others up by identifying the best targets inside 50.

FIXTURES

Thursday, July 18 | vs. Allies @ Thebarton Oval, 11:30am AEST
Sunday, August 11 | vs. Vic Metro @ RSEA Park, 10:30am AEST
Saturday, August 24 | vs. Western Australia @ Thebarton Oval, 11:30am AEST

TEAM LIST

PREDICTION

South Australia’s clash with Vic Metro in the second match looms as the potential final, and then if the Croweaters win that and Western Australia win its two matches, the reigning back-to-back champions would have a second final in the last game of the carnival. They have had to wait a while to enter the championships, but have spent the longest together as a group, and are always incredibly well-drilled and well-coached.