A DOMINANT first 41 minutes saw Vic Country pile on 9.2 (56) to 0.0 (0) against Western Australia to set up their first win of the AFLW Under 18 Championships. While the Sandgropers fought back valiantly, it was too little, too late, as the home side got up by 32 points. We took note of some of the top performers from both states, with all notes being the opinion of the individual author.

Vic Country:

#3 Jemma Reynolds (Langwarrin / Dandenong Stingrays)
Midfielder | 163cm | 29/04/2006

Stats: 19 disposals, 4 marks, 3 tackles, 2 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

Starting on-ball and spending essentially a full game in there, Reynolds showed why she is one to watch in 2024, holding her own against some quality opponents and alongside some highly touted teammates. Her clean hands and burst from the stoppage certainly help her cause, and she was able to set up Seisia White precise kick inside 50. Reynolds had a quieter fourth term and her efficiency was not as high as it could be given the pressure around the ball, but she was still among the better players.

#5 Lou Painter (White Hills / Bendigo Pioneers)
Midfielder | 174cm | 23/02/2006

Stats: 22 disposals, 6 marks, 7 tackles, 3 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 1 goal

A real strong performance from the AFLW Academy midfielder who did just about everything both inside and outside the contest. Next best behind Howley in the game, she stepped up to apply enormous amounts of defensive pressure, while getting forward to mark inside 50 and convert a long-range set shot. She was so strong in the air, competed hard at ground level, and was influential for her after a quieter first term to rack the ball up with ease across the final three quarters.

#7 Sara Howley (Newtown & Chilwell / Geelong Falcons)
Midfielder | 173cm | 29/01/2006

Stats: 31 disposals, 3 marks, 2 tackles, 5 clearances, 8 inside 50s, 1 goal

Capping off an unbelievable carnival, Howley was a deserved MVP after yet another best on ground performance. Leading the way in disposals (31) and inside 50s (eight), and having the equal-most clearances (five) in the win, showed her ability to win it inside or outside. Western Australia tried to quell her influence in the second half around the ball, but Howley found a way to get out, using her speed and smarts to rack it up and dispose of it cleanly. Fittingly kicked the last goal of Vic Country’s championships, sparking a huge celebration from her teammates.

#13 Jemmika Douglas (Bambill / Bendigo Pioneers)
Defender | 166cm | 20/02/2006

Stats: 15 disposals, 3 marks, 4 tackles, 3 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s

Tried hard across four quarters and was consistently a thorn in Western Australia’s side from an intercepting perspective. If she wasn’t taking vital grabs, she was mopping up at ground level and clearing the danger, rebounding consistently well. Douglas showed that nice balance of aerial and ground level work, and was fierce at ripping the ball from opponent’s grasps, winning the majority of her possessions under pressure.

#16 Ash Centra (Sale City / Gippsland Power)
Forward | 174cm | 02/06/2006

Stats: 14 disposals, 4 marks, 2 tackles, 2 clearances, 1 inside 50, 2 goals

Centra broke the game open in the first half kicking two goals and setting up a couple of more with her aerial ability and composure with ball in hard looking a class above on the field. She got the better of her matchup in Sabella Banks, but to the East Perth defender’s credit, she worked back into it to limit Centra’s impact in the second half, albeit with far fewer chances. Playing exclusively forward but working up the ground, Centra showed glimpses at times of what she was capable of, even if she faded out of it in the second half.

#25 Millie Lang (Redan / GWV Rebels)
Defender | 177cm | 06/11/2006

Stats: 14 disposals, 2 marks, 1 inside 50, 5 rebound 50s

Returned to the Vic Country lineup and did some great work, particularly late. Lang provided body pressure in marking contests, mopped up and she was able to use the ball as well as she has all year. Back to what she does well, Lang finished with the 14 touches and five rebound 50s, stepping up when under siege in the second half, having nine of her 14 touches and running at 67 per cent efficiency by foot despite the pressure.

#30 Elli Symonds (Frankston Dolphins / Dandenong Stingrays)
Ruck / Key Forward | 178cm | 07/10/2006

Stats: 19 disposals, 4 marks, 3 tackles, 2 hitouts, 4 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s, 1 goal

In her first representative game this year after injury curtailed the start of her campaign, Symonds showed plenty of moments, particularly in the first half. She produced a fantastic run-down tackle on the wing and though she was up against it in terms of height for ruck stoppages – only winning the two hitouts – she dominated once the ball hit the deck as a “fourth midfielder” and covered the ground well too. When forward she took a good mark on the lead and converted the set shot to keep the first half dominance going.

#31 Alexis Gregor (Moama / Bendigo Pioneers)
Key Defender | 180cm | 07/04/2006

Stats: 18 disposals, 1 mark, 3 tackles, 1 hitout, 1 inside 50, 7 rebound 50s

Starting in defence and playing there for the majority of the game aside from when she managed to push forward, Gregor was able to use her booming kick to clear the danger on a number of occasions. The Bendigo Pioneers’ co-captain’s ground level pressure has always been good as well, laying a great tackle on Lucy Greenwood early to win a free kick. Gregor held a high line and was able to move between deep and higher up with her work, covering the ground well and finishing off with her best game of the national carnival.

Western Australia:

#1 Noa McNaughton (South Fremantle)
Forward / Midfielder | 161cm | 20/10/2006

Stats: 20 disposals, 3 marks, 2 tackles, 5 clearances, 7 inside 50s

The small forward was really lively throughout the contest and arguably her state’s best across four quarters. She buzzed around at half-forward and pushed into the middle to win the ball, and got involved around the stoppages to finish with an equal game-high five clearances. McNaughton provides that point of difference given her evasion and smarts in close. Though she did not hit the scoreboard in the match, she provided a key role as a facilitator and distributor going inside 50.

#4 Zippy Fish (East Fremantle)
Midfielder | 160cm | 04/06/2006

Stats: 21 disposals, 1 mark, 4 tackles, 3 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

In a similar performance to game one, Fish started slowly with the game heavily congested and Vic Country monopolising the ball, but once the match opened up she started to find more of it. Fish won just the five touches in the first half and it was symbolic of the Sandgropers side, but it was no surprise that once she started getting her hands on the ball, the tide turned, racking up 10 third quarter disposals – WA kicked four majors in the premiership quarter – and finished with 16 for the second half.

#8 Holly Britton (Peel Thunder)
Wing | 162cm | 17/02/2006

Stats: 18 disposals, 4 marks, 1 tackle, 1 inside 50

Has worked hard in both her championships matches so far, and largely been consistent throughout the four quarters. Her kicking efficiency was a little down compared to usual, but she still had an impact, and when most others were down on form, Britton managed to still find the ball and get involved despite playing in an outside role. Just does some nice things across the ground and gets into space.

#10 Natasha Entwistle (East Fremantle)
Defender | 172cm | 19/10/2006

Stats: 16 disposals, 4 marks, 2 tackles, 1 inside 50, 4 rebound 50s

Another strong performance in defence from the top-ager who had to battle against it under siege in the first half. She competed in the air, clunked a few good good marks and got better as the game went on. She often gave away centimetres depending on how the match-up fell, but positioned herself well, including marking in front of the 181cm Claire Mahony. Had an equal game-high nine fourth quarter disposals showing she was full of running, and she held a high line to intercept time and time again.

#16 Evie Cowcher (Peel Thunder)
Defender | 174cm | 03/08/2007

Stats: 16 disposals, 3 marks, 3 tackles, 1 inside 50, 5 rebound 50s

Started in defence and stayed there throughout the contest, with the 2023 All-Australian and West Australian MVP having some good moments. She thrives on picking off errant kicks or high ball inside the defensive 50, floating across as the third person up. Though not as prolific in the air as she can tend to be, Cowcher worked hard to run up the ground, receive the ball off hands and try and create some run out of the back half.

#21 Renee Morgan (South Fremantle)
Midfielder | 168cm | 04/05/2007

Stats: 19 disposals, 1 mark, 5 tackles, 2 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

Morgan is one of those players who you know exactly what you’re going to get each time. She has had an injury-interrupted season in 2024, but is finding her feet again and always brings the defensive pressure. A dual-sided midfielder with nice smarts and knows her way around a stoppage, Morgan applied plenty of defensive pressure and was strong at both ends of the game where she won 14 of her 19 disposals. Didn’t have a massive influence through clearance work, but she tried hard against the flow and was one of the better Sandgropers.

#27 Lily Paterson (Swan Districts)
Midfielder | 172cm | 02/05/2006

Stats: 21 disposals, 1 mark, 6 tackles, 2 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

A game of ebbs and flows for the West Australian draft bolter who could not have her same level of influence through the full game. She still racked up the ball at different points, but her clearance dominance – she had six in a half last week – was nullified by Vic Country taking control. Still, Paterson got her hands dirty laying an equal team-high six tackles. Will be vital in the side’s last national carnival match against South Australia.

#32 Olivia Wolmarans (Subiaco)
Key Forward | 181cm | 02/09/2007

Stats: 12 disposals, 4 marks, 3 tackles, 5 hitouts, 1 inside 50, 2 goals

After a quiet game one, Wolmarans took the game by the scruff of the neck in the third term, kicking two quick goals and providing the spark for the Sandgropers. While the game was done and dusted, there was little offensive flow early, and the Subiaco tall made things happen when she went near it. Her first major came from a snap, then kicked her second when getting over the top and running in, opting to pass another chance off. Didn’t get stacks of opportunities, but always looked threatening and has high upside for next year.