AN IMPRESSIVE 10 goals between three damaging South Australian forwards helped the Croweaters finish off their 2024 AFL Women’s Under 18s Championships with a 21-point win over Western Australia. Eloise Mackereth (four goals), and Klaudia O’Neill and Georgia McKee (both three) did all the damage on the scoreboard as the home side withstood Sandgroper challenges in the first and last quarters to salute, 11.5 (71) to 7.8 (50).

An entertaining clash throughout the four quarters, South Australia managed to break away during the second term and kicked six consecutive goals from the last two minutes of the first term through until three quarter time. Despite trailing by 25 points at the final break, East Perth small forward Lucy Greenwood kicked two near-identical majors to cut the deficit to as low as 14 points, before the Croweaters steadied to take the win.

Captain Violet Patterson spearheaded the hosts from midfield, picking up 19 disposals, four marks, three tackles, four inside 50s and two rebound 50s with the Collingwood father-daughter prospect bouncing back from a knock midway through the game to fight on and work hard around the ground.

She was complimented by AFLW Academy member India Rasheed who worked into the game well to have a nine-disposal third term when the heat was on, to finish with 19 touches, four marks, five clearances and six inside 50s.

The West Australian midfield of Zippy Fish, Lily Paterson and Noa McNaughton started well to provide an early spark for their side and ensure a repeat of last round’s 56-0 deficit against Vic Country was not to be repeated. But once again it was the tall forwards who stood up, as Alicia Blizard and Olivia Wolmarans both converted first term majors, and after some forward half dominance, Alira Fotu handed the Sandgropers a seven-point lead.

An answering goal from the classy McKee cut the deficit to one at quarter time, and from there the South Australians regrouped and came out firing. They booted five goals to nil over the next two quarters, as Mackereth, McKee and O’Neill all had multiple goals to the main break.

Western Australia did have some forward half ascendancy in the third term with defender Taya Chambers pushing up the ground to have a long-range shot, as potential Fremantle father-daughter Jorja Haines also had a chance but was touched on the way through. When Mackereth broke the premiership quarter’s goal-scoring drought for her third, the Croweaters took a 25-point lead into the final break.

Greenwood’s last quarter – three goals – gave the visitors a sniff, but when Mackereth booted her fourth and Shae Archbold – playing her first AFLW Under 18s match since 2022 following a knee injury – converted a set shot, it was game over.

Wolmarans kicked a second goal and was a standout for the Sandgropers, also having 18 disposals, seven marks, three tackles, three hitouts and two inside 50s. Up the other end, Evie Cowcher was influential, working hard for 14 disposals, three marks, four tackles and two inside 50s. Molly O’Hehir (14 disposals, five tackles and seven inside 50s) provided some speed, as Tiani Teakle, Fish and Paterson were also among the best.

South Australia just had more winners across the board though, with Mackereth’s four goals from 12 touches and seven marks a highlight, with O’Neill (11 disposals, three marks and three goals) and McKee (six disposals, three goals) superb inside 50. Laela Ebert, Grace Martin and Sophie Eaton all had some big moments contributing to the victory.

Defender Esther Schirmer was named the Croweaters’ MVP after a consistent carnival, particularly in the first two matches, while Cowcher was rock solid even in defeat for the Sandgropers to earn their MVP.

The result means South Australia finishes its carnival with a 2-1 record, while Western Australia goes home without a win, but having blooded plenty of players with a host of first-choice talents missing due to injury.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA 3.2 | 7.3 | 8.3 | 11.5 (71)
WESTERN AUSTRALIA 3.3 | 3.6 | 3.8 | 7.8 (50)

GOALS:
South Australia: E. Mackereth 4, G. McKee 3, K. O’Neill 3, S. Archbold
Western Australia: L. Greenwood 3, O. Wolmarans 2, A. Blizard, A. Fotu

RMC BEST:
South Australia: E. Mackereth, V. Patterson, S. Eaton, G. Martin, I. Rasheed
Western Australia: O. Wolmarans, E. Cowcher, M. O’Hehir, T. Teakle, Z. Fish