SOUTH Australia has kick-started its 2024 AFL Women’s Under 18 Championships campaign with a commanding 78-point victory over a wounded Allies at Thebarton Oval today. The back-to-back titleholders shook off some early rust and inaccuracy to pile on the first seven goals, and seven of the last eight majors to run out 15.10 (100) to 3.4 (22).

It was a clinical performance from the state that has not lost in three years, and just had too much aerial strength and running power against an Allies side that was on a five-day backup. The Allies went unchanged from the win over Queensland, but soon struck personnel issues with Tasmanian duo Sophie Strong and Lucy Thompson ruled out of the game in the first and second terms respectively.

By quarter time, South Australia had piled on five goals to nil and led by 32 points at quarter time, and the Croweaters blew out the margin to as much as 47 points when Georgia McKee kicked her second goal.

The Allies responded with two of the last three goals of the first half to Emma Stark – after a nice team play – and Mischa Barwin – after earning a free kick close to goal – though wedged in between them was a second goal to India Rasheed who was a clear best on ground to that stage.

Rasheed would finish as such by the final siren, though she was far from alone as all bar five players would record double-digit disposals, with those in single digits all playing in the defensive half of the ground.

After half-time South Australia put the foot down and showed its class in front of a vocal home group, piling on five goals in the third term while keeping the Allies scoreless. Rasheed and McKee added their third goals, while Charlotte Riggs and Emma Kilpatrick – the latter of whom had been in defence for the most part – went forward and got their names on the goalkickers list.

There was plenty of merit to the Allies’ fight, with Emma Juneja, Isla Wiencke and Amelie Prosser-Shaw all working hard to find the ball and create some drive down the ground. The defence – which was often under siege – battled hard as Ellie Hall and Mackenzie Williams provided aerial resistance, and the speed of Marika Carlton caught the eye. Similarly, Ellie Veerhuis and Priya Bowering were also consistent throughout the match.

However South Australia simply had too many winners, and though the Allies fought to the very end, the Croweaters still outscored them in the final term, kicking 2.2 to 1.1 to just bring up the century with a rushed behind following majors to Klaudia O’Neill and Eloise Mackereth who kicked their third and second goals respectively.

In the end, the clearance domination of 33-19 was key in getting the win, while the inside 50s was relatively even (40-35), but South Australia found far too many marks inside 50 compared to its opposition, clunking 76 total for the game compared to 39. The Croweaters also kicked at 60.9 per cent efficiency, well ahead of the Allies in conditions that were wet underfoot.

Rasheed was the star, finishing with 28 disposals, five marks, seven tackles, two inside 50s, two rebound 50s and kicked 3.2, rotating between midfield and attack. Evans (22 disposals, six marks, three clearances, three inside 50s and a goal) and Patterson (20 disposals, three marks, three tackles, four clearances and three inside 50s) were both impressive too through the middle.

Up forward, O’Neill (three goals from 14 touches and eight marks) and Mackereth (15 disposals, eight marks and two goals) were too good in the air, while McKee played her best game of the year, kicking three from 13 disposals and six marks. Grace Martin and Asha Dufour also cracked in through midfield, while Sophie Eaton and Lily Baxter provided great run and carry.

Juneja (19 disposals, two clearances, four inside 50s and four rebound 50s) was the highest disposal winner for the Allies, with Wiencke (17 disposals, five marks, four tackles, four clearances, two inside 50s and three rebound 50s cracking in. Veerhuis (17 touches, eight tackles, three clearances and three inside 50s) and Prosser-Shaw (15 disposals, three marks, seven tackles, three clearances and three inside 50s were also prominent.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA 5.4 | 8.7 | 13.8 | 15.10 (100)
ALLIES 0.2 | 2.3 | 2.3 | 3.4 (22)

GOALS:
South Australia: I. Rasheed 3, K. O’Neill 3, G. McKee 3, E. Mackereth 2, J. Evans, C. Riggs, R. Ballard, E. Kilpatrick
Allies: E. Stark, M. Barwin, A. Read

RMC BEST:
South Australia: I. Rasheed, J. Evans, E. Mackereth, K. O’Neill, G. McKee
Allies: I. Wiencke, E. Juneja, M. Carlton, A. Prosser-Shaw, E. Veerhuis