AS each AFL Women’s Under 18 Championships state completes its national carnival, we take a look at how the three-game carnival went, some of the impressive players, and those to keep an eye on next year.

Up next is South Australia, who fell short of a third consecutive title, but still impressed across the three games, finishing with a 2-1 record.

RESULTS

South Australia 15.10 (100) defeated Allies 3.4 (22)
Vic Metro 9.4 (58) defeated South Australia 5.7 (37)
South Australia 11.5 (71) defeated Western Australia 7.8 (50)

WHAT WENT RIGHT

• A dominant performance first-up against Allies

• Depth across each position really stood out

• Several players enhanced their draft stocks

• Klaudia O’Neill and Eloise Mackereth working in tandem up forward

• New State Academy members holding their own

WHAT WENT WRONG

• The bus to Moorabbin accidentally heading to Werribee

• Missed opportunities against Vic Metro

KEY PLAYERS:

Esther Schirmer (Christies Beach / South Adelaide)
Tall Defender | 177cm | 08/06/2006

Stats: 10.0 disposals (73.3% efficiency), 3.0 marks, 3.3 tackles, 2.7 rebound 50s

Not many might have predicted that a defender would take out South Australia’s MVP, but Schirmer’s 2024 season has been outstanding. She continued that form into the national carnival where her first two games in particularly really stood out, and she earned All-Australian honours at full-back too. Using the ball well and providing great rebound from the back half, Schirmer has earned the plaudits coming off a great year.

India Rasheed (Glenunga / Sturt)
Midfielder / Forward | 174cm | 29/11/2006

Stats: 22.3 disposals, 4.3 marks, 3.0 clearances, 4.3 tackles, 3.7 inside 50s, 1.7 rebound 50s, 3 goals

After winning her state’s MVP as a bottom-ager last season, Rasheed had another eye-catching carnival rotating between midfield and attack. She hit the scoreboard and impacted around the clearances, doing her usual thing with much success. Rasheed earned All-Australian honours for the second consecutive year, and was a headache for the opposition in each match she played with her damaging left foot kick.

Eloise Mackereth (Plympton / Glenelg)
Tall Forward | 174cm | 27/07/2007

Stats: 10.7 disposals, 6.0 marks, 2.3 inside 50s, 6 goals

One for next year, Mackereth made her mark on the national stage to be the sole South Australian bottom-ager in the All-Australian team. She kicked six goals, set up countless others and showed serious potential ahead of 2025. She is quick on the lead, athletic in the air and a fantastic field kick which allows her distribute cleanly inside 50 consistently. South Australia’s top prospect for next season.

Grace Martin (SMOSH West Lakes / WWT Eagles)
Utility | 164cm | 01/09/2006

Stats: 17.7 disposals, 2.3 marks, 2.0 clearances, 2.3 tackles, 2.3 inside 50s, 2.7 rebound 50s

The fourth All-Australian was another much improved talent in 2024, with Martin having a breakout season and deserving of all success. She started in defence, moved into the midfield and even found herself inside 50 at times, and was able to get her hands on the ball all across the ground. An ultimate utility, Martin is a perfect player to fill a hole regardless of where that is, and was named All-Australian at half-back.

Violet Patterson (Plympton / Glenelg)
Midfielder | 167cm | 09/01/2006

Stats: 17.0 disposals, 2.7 marks, 2.0 clearances, 5.3 tackles, 2.7 inside 50s, 1.0 rebound 50s

The South Australian skipper never takes a backwards step and leads by example. Tied to Collingwood through the father-daughter rule, the daughter of Stephen always put her body on the line and showed great courage through midfield. She works hard up and down the ground, can play inside or outside, and competes well in the air too which adds another string to her bow as a tough groundlevel player.

Laela Ebert (Modbury / North Adelaide)
Midfielder / Defender | 167cm | 17/04/2006

Stats: 20.0 disposals, 3.0 marks, 3.0 clearances, 2.7 tackles, 2.0 inside 50s, 1.7 rebound 50s

Rolled into the midfield after starting half-back and got going through the carnival with some fantastic clearance work. A natural second possession winner, Ebert has slick skills and great decision making, while being able to smoothly glide around the field. While she could have flown under the radar given some of the other names in the midfield, Ebert held her own and certainly impressed.

Klaudia O’Neill (Henley Sharks / WWT Eagles)
Tall Forward | 177cm | 15/02/2006

Stats: 11.0 disposals, 4.3 marks, 5.0 hitouts, 1.7 clearances, 1.3 tackles, 1.7 inside 50s, 6 goals

A real breakout national carnival from the contested marking forward who slotted six goals from her two games, including a couple straight out of a forward ruck stoppage. Boasting great smarts, elite strength and footy IQ, O’Neill has played at both ends through the SANFLW but was a pure tall forward for the Croweaters where she was near-impossible to beat one-on-one.

Jasmine Evans (Salisbury / Central District)
Midfielder | 166cm | 05/02/2006

Stats: 15.5 disposals, 3.5 marks, 3.0 clearances, 1.5 tackles, 1.5 inside 50s, 1 goal

As classy as they come, illness struck Evans down in the final game of the national championships, but her first two matches were very good. She has elite skills and can play midfield or forward, though she predominantly just played on-ball and then rested forward. Her sole goal in game one was a superb finish on the run from long-range. A high upside talent.

Georgia McKee (Golden Grove / Central District)
Forward / Midfielder | 157cm | 24/04/2006

Stats: 7.7 disposals, 2.7 marks, 1.0 tackles, 1.3 inside 50s, 7 goals

A dangerous small forward who perhaps did not impact through the midfield as much as she would have liked at the carnival, McKee was still able to show ridiculous forward craft and cause all sorts of problems for the defence. She kicked goals in each of the games – including two bags of three – and can kick them off her left or right from just about anywhere. Once the ball hits the deck it is panic stations for the defence with McKee on the scene.

Charlotte Riggs (Angle Vale / Central District)
Key Position Utility | 181cm | 02/11//2006

Stats: 12.7 disposals, 3.0 marks, 9.0 hitouts, 3.3 clearances, 1.3 tackles, 2.3 inside 50s, 1.0 rebound 50, 2 goals

Another South Australian who can play across all three lines, Riggs rotated through the ruck after starting in defence, then was thrown forward to stretch the opposition defence at times. She has a fantastic vertical leap, moves well around the ground and competes hard one-on-one. Riggs can be utilised in a variety of ways and she showed that through the national carnival and was among the better talls going around.

OTHERS:

Midfielder Asha Dufour is another one of South Australia’s natural ball-winners who did well across the course of the national championships, with ruck Chloe Tonkin averaging 20 hitouts across two matches. Bottom-ager Sophie Eaton showed some class, while the trio of Lucy Boyd, Monique Bessen and Sophie Thredgold all averaged 10 or more disposals across their three games.

SUMMARY

South Australia might not have had the success of its past two national carnivals, but all good things come to an end at some stage, and the streak the Croweaters had was mighty impressive. Expect them to be thereabouts again next year, but will walk away with a host of potential draftees.