CLOSING out the 2024 AFL Women’s Under 18 Championships, reigning back-to-back titleholders South Australia – defeated for the first time in three carnivals by Vic Metro – will look to bounce back against a visiting West Australian side that is hungry for its first win of the championships.

DETAILS

Saturday, August 24 @ 11:00am ACST
Thebarton Oval
Live streamed via afl.com.au

STATE OF PLAY

After losing for the first time in three carnivals, South Australia enters a second home match looking to bounce back against Western Australia. The Croweaters smashed the Allies in game one to get off to the perfect start, before losing to Vic Metro which handed their opponents the 2024 title as the only undefeated side.

Western Australia went down to Queensland in a gallant display over at Pentanet Stadium on August 3, before a forgettable 56-0 slow start never had the Sandgropers in the contest against Vic Country. To their credit, they finished strong and made the final margin respectable, but cannot afford to have another slow start against the Croweaters.

CHANGES

Remaining on-brand over the last couple of seasons, South Australia has stuck with what it has used in the past, making no changes which means the Croweaters will play just 24 players at the national carnival.

By comparison, Western Australia will bring in three new faces to the lineup, as well as one returning amongst four chosen moves. Touch and go to make it back, Under 16s MVP Mia Russo will make her first appearance for the Under 18s side, joined in the team by Fremantle father-daughter eligible Jorja Haines and explosive forward pocket Sienna Gerardi, while Alira Fotu – who came off early after a knock in game one – will return.

The four players out of the side are Subiaco duo Taya Strickland and Layla Quinn-Schofield and rebounding defenders who can also roll into the middle, Peel’s Dakota Sexton and West Perth’s Samara Sallie.

ONES TO WATCH

The midfield battle is always one to watch with both sides having AFLW Academy members running around. India Rasheed, Jasmine Evans and Georgia McKee could see plenty of time on the inside, but also go forward and look to impact the scoreboard. They will face off against the likes of Zippy Fish, Molly O’Hehir and Lily Paterson, though with Russo returning it frees up O’Hehir to start in defence as she has the past two matches.

Throw in the likes of Renee Morgan and Noa McNaughton who have both spent time in there, and the Sandgropers have no shortage of options, while South Australian skipper Violet Patterson and North Adelaide midfielder/defender Laela Ebert have attended plenty of centre bounces.

Outside the midfield duel and Klaudia O’Neill looms as a focal point up forward, while Monique Bessen and ruck/forward Chloe Tonkin can provide options, as can the incredibly gifted Eloise Mackereth. The likes of O’Hehir, Evie Cowcher, Natasha Entwistle and Taya Chambers will be given some big matchups in a tantalising set of head-to-heads.

Up the other end, Olivia Wolmarans and Alicia Blizard kicked Western Australia’s five goals between them last match, while the return of Fotu provides a third tall target inside 50. With Gerardi and Lucy Greenwood at their feet, the West Australian forward line is a threat. Grace Martin, Esther Schirmer and Sophie Thredgold are among the matchups who can take some of the more dangerous prospects.

The wing battles between Imogen Trengove and Sophie Eaton up against Holly Britton and Megan Norbury is another element to look forward to tomorrow.

PREDICTION

South Australia has not entered a match coming off an official loss in some time, so it will be fascinating to see how the home side responds. On paper the Croweaters are the stronger side particularly in terms of top-age depth, but the Sandgropers have what on paper looks to be their strongest team of the carnival and will give it a real shake. South Australia to win, but it to be an entertaining contest.