REIGNING back-to-back champions South Australia enter the 2024 AFLW Under 18 Championships tomorrow up against an Allies side coming off its inspirational win over Queensland. The Croweaters have not lost in a few years and will be looking to continue that winning streak come 11am local time.

DETAILS

Thursday, July 18 @ 11:00am ACST
Thebarton Oval
Live streamed via afl.com.au

STATE OF PLAY

South Australia will play its first game of the 2024 national carnival, but has not lost over the last two championships so will be strong favourites. However the Allies were the underdogs last week against Queensland and came out on top. They suffered a 94-point loss at the hands of Vic Metro in game one of the championships which means they cannot win the title, but can put a dint in the Croweaters’ hopes.

CHANGES

They say don’t change what isn’t broken and the Allies have lived up to that mantra, going in with an unchanged selection for game three from their game two victory over Queensland.

South Australia of course is playing its first game so has no changes, however has a host of players running out in the tricolours for the first time.

ONES TO WATCH

South Australia boasts five AFLW Academy members, with Sturt top-ager India Rasheed a high-impact player in the forward half of the ground, while Charlotte Riggs and Poppy Scholz provide an intercept marking force and can play in any third of the ground. Central District duo Jasmine Evans and Georgia McKee will likely play a key role inside 50 and pushing up the ground and are always hard to contain.

Outside the Academy, tenacious midfielder Violet Patterson and talented utility Grace Martin will likely join Rasheed on-ball, while bottom-ager Monique Bessen and inside-outside midfielder Asha Dufour to have their moments inside. The defence looks strong as well with Esther Schirmer and Lucy Boyd running around, while Klaudia O’Neill and Chloe Tonkin could provide some headaches up the other end.

For the Allies, Sophie Strong and Isla Wiencke really took control on the inside against Queensland and provided some important extraction, while Mackenzie Williams and Ellie Hall provide rebound out of defence. The class of Tatyana Perry and Ashley Patton will be on display as well. Watch for Mischa Barwin and Emma Juneja to create some run on the outside going forward.

PREDICTION

South Australia is tipped to be among the title contenders this year at the AFLW Under 18 Championships and will be favoured on their home deck. The Allies showed they can be competitive and hunt in waves, with their performance against Queensland a huge result. Expect it to be tight early given the extra matches the Allies have under their belt, but the Croweaters will prove tough to topple, especially good at home.