WESTERN Australia bounced back from its first-up loss to South Australia by defeating Gold Coast Suns Academy at People First Stadium yesterday. The Sandgropers finished their two-game campaign with an even win-loss record, while the Suns did not pick up a victory, but had some impressive players across the two matches which also included a defeat at the hands of Vic Metro.

>> AFLW U16s | Scouting notes: Suns Academy vs Vic Metro
>> AFLW U16s | Scouting notes: Western Australia vs South Australia

In the encounter between the Sandgropers and Suns, Western Australia looked the more fluent side in transition, even though it took a little while to shake off the home team. The Suns closed to within three points early in the second term, before Western Australia slammed home eight of the next nine goals to blow the lead out to 49 points. That ended up being the final margin for the match with the Sandgropers heading home with the comfortable victory.

SUNS ACADEMY 1.3 | 2.4 | 3.4 | 4.6 (30)
WESTERN AUSTRALIA 3.1 | 6.3 | 9.4 | 12.7 (79)

GOALS:
Suns Academy: A. McKenzie, M. Warria, A. Cameron, E. Chudley
Western Australia: M. Kelman 4, M. Cannon 2, A. Henderson 2, C. Boss, T. Head, V. Matera, T. Smoker

RMC BEST:
Suns Academy: L. Moana, M. Warria, A. Single, N. Sandeman, K. Marisa-Scott
Western Australia: C. Boss, C. Fletcher, A. Nelson, M. Kelman, H. Seaborn

SUNS ACADEMY:

#16 Nikki Sandeman
Burleigh | 165cm | 08/07/2009

The reliable prospect covered the ground well at both ends working up and down the ground out on outside. She was either saving the day in defence or thumping the ball inside 50 to be one of the bigger ball-winners for the Suns in the match. Her vision before executing by hand was impressive, and she was quite often a brick wall at half-forward, producing repeat entries during the second term.

#17 Lily Moana
Burleigh | 165cm | 23/03/2010

The Suns Academy have definitely got a talent here, with the bottom-ager backing up her impressive game one, with an arguably even better game two. She started off with a strong one-on-one mark against a bigger opponent, and then proceeded to show her class on-ball with her ability to step through traffic and burst away consistently. She was clearly best afield for the Suns, winning nine clearances to go with 24 disposals and five inside 50s, leading the way for her side in all those areas. She had it on a string and won 22 contested possessions so her transition from inside to outside was outstanding.

#21 Asia Single
Burleigh | 171cm | 11/10/2009

The third Single sibling in line – Lucy at Gold Coast AFLW, Jasmine at Perth WAFLW – Asia missed game one but stepped up to remind everyone of her ability. She has blitzed preseason testing consistently, and while her execution was rusty, she show good decision making to put the ball into dangerous spots. Single covered the ground well and set up a goal early in the third with a nice kick out of a forward stoppage.

#27 Mena Warria
University (Townsville) | 170cm | 18/08/2010

A raw, but exciting bottom-age talent who has some serious athletic traits that catch the eye. Her speed and strength combination will be a worry for opposition defenders in the years to come, and she was able to hit the scoreboard for a second straight game. Her major came intercepting a loose ball turnover in the goalsquare, and should have had another one that just shaved the post a couple of minutes later. Though largely inside 50, Warria worked hard up the ground to get involved and find the ball further afield as well.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA:

#2 Caitlin Boss
Subiaco | 163cm | 07/12/2010

After kicking a couple of goals and being okay against the Croweaters, Boss took her game to another level up in the Sunshine State. She got into the right spots, was willing to absorb hits despite being a smaller player, and had a number of chances on goal. She ultimately missed a few opportunities with 1.3 from her day, though she racked up a game-high 27 disposals, as well as laying five tackles and having five inside 50s. Looked clean and can weight her kicks well, tick.

#12 Marley Kelman
Subiaco/Kalgoorlie | 170cm | 31/03/2009

Benefited from Western Australia getting plenty of forward 50 entries, though Kelman showed she was not just on the end of the scoring chains. She booted four goals from 10 touches, and though she did not take a mark, she worried a fair few defenders, winning three free kicks and slotted a goal each time from them, with her other major coming from a snap at the top of the goalsquare. She showed some nice range in her kicking, with her fourth goal – at the eight-minute mark of the final term – travelling 40m before sailing home.

#17 Charlie Fletcher
Peel Thunder | 167cm | 02/04/2009

Unlike many in the team, Fletcher gained valuable WAFLW experience in Round 1 for the Thunder, and she looks a classy type with terrific speed. Playing more inside but also spending time at half-back, Fletcher loves to run and carry, and can find the ball in all thirds of the ground. She had a chance on goal that just missed early in the fourth then a few minutes later was saving the day in the back pocket with a nice one-two out of defence.

#31 Bella Nelson
West Perth | 172cm | 10/03/2010

A standout West Australian, Nelson continues to be an incredible force in the back 50 and is remarkably a bottom-ager still. She rebounded consistently, was so strong in the air and read the ball in flight well. At times she would kick for distance, but when having time and space could hit targets and begin scoring chains from the defensive 50. Is not afraid to put her body on the line and has a mix of class and power. Is eligible to return next year which would be her third year at the 16s championships.

#32 Hannah Seaborn
Claremont | 177cm | 16/04/2009

Provided a strong inside body at the stoppages, Seaborn was able to win her fair share of the ball and crash and bash her way to getting it forward. She won seven clearances from 17 touches and laid five tackles, and was able to get into the right spots. Boasting some rare athleticism for a player of her size, though she seemed a touch quieter than the game before, was still among the better players for the Sandgropers. Can take contested marks or scrap at ground level to win hardballs.