A HOST of National Academy members returned to WAFL Women’s sides for Round 5 ahead of the league-wide bye this coming weekend. We took note of how each of the State Academy members performed last round.

All notes are the opinion of the individual author.

East Fremantle:

#13 Maya Louvel-Finn (Defender)
Stats: 9 disposals, 2 marks, 3 tackles

Not as prolific as the first month, but still played her role and in fairness had less to do. What stands out about her gamestyle is her ability to keep her head on a swivel and change lanes or switch play if she spots open players on the fat side of the ground. She is strong in the air, but competes so hard at ground level too. Has been a real revelation with the added offensive responsibility this season.

#17 Alicia Blizard (Forward)
Stats: 10 disposals, 2 marks, 3 tackles, 1 goal, 1 behind

Returning from her stint with the National Academy, Blizard lined up at full-forward and had a solid day out, working up the ground and winning an early holding the ball free kick just inside 50. She laid another tackle moments later and provided a goal assist with the subsequent pass, and then was rewarded for her efforts in the final term but slamming home a goal on the run. Capped off her performance with another goal assist midway through the last quartere.

* East Perth had no State Academy members playing

Swan Districts:

#5 Carys D’Addario (Midfielder)
Stats: 25 disposals, 4 marks, 7 tackles, 3 inside 50s

The most reliable player in the State Academy with her floor arguably the highest of the contingent. She will also provided a contest, compete in the air and at ground level, and throw herself at any loose ball to feed it out to teammates. Able to get her hands free when tackled and boasting a booming kick, she is a valuable inside midfielder who has been readymade for senior football for a long time. Will be great if she can get an uninterrupted 2025 season including national championships.

#14 Ava Stewart (Forward)
Stats: 7 disposals, 3 marks, 1 tackle, 2 inside 50s, 1 goal

Presented well coming out of the forward 50 and can work up the ground as that higher forward. Her brilliant snap around her body in the third term got her on the board for the season, and had another chance in the fourth quarter but unluckily hit the post. She has a strong aerial presence and is looking to develop that groundlevel work.

#18 Sienna Gerardi (Forward)
Stats: 14 disposals, 2 marks, 3tackles, 2 inside 50s, 1 goal, 2 behinds

Looks so dangerous each time she goes near it and was able to worry the opposition defence if she ever found space. Had a couple of near misses before kicking an easy goal from a two-on-one situation deep forward which was well deserved. Though Gerardi is light and can get bumped off it, and can further improve her one-touch play under pressure, once she has it she is lighting quick both with her speed and her decision making.

West Perth:

#3 Samara Sallie (Defender/Midfielder)
Stats: 11 disposals, 1 mark, 2 tackles, 1 Inside 50

Got some valuable midfield minutes going head-to-head with D’Addario at times, then rolled back into her familiar defensive position. Sallie was able to provide some run down the ground and though often under pressure, applied the same volume of pressure to the opposition. Has elite speed, and it is about tidying up her execution at times as the next step, but had a pretty handy game against the Sharks.

#7 Mia Russo (Midfielder)
Stats: 24 disposals, 1 mark, 5 tackles, 5 inside 50s

Backed up her best on ground performance last time out with another big game coming back from captaining the National Academy. Russo’s explosiveness from the stoppage is what sets her apart, and she loves to fly and compete in the air. She set up numerous goalscoring chances, and while she herself did not hit the scoreboard, continued to press hard and was among the best Falcons once again.

#25 Lexi Strachan (Midfielder)
Stats: 13 disposals, 1 mark, 9 tackles, 4 inside 50s

Has plenty of responsibilities through the middle for a bottom-ager who is still adapting to League level. She did not win a stack of it, but still had her fair share, with her defensive pressure the highlight. Laying nine tackles, it is not even the ones she is rewarded with, but her determination to chase opponents and produce pressure acts that are important too.

#31 Cara Dziegielewski (Ruck)
Stats: 8 disposals, 1 mark, 1 tackle, 20 hitouts, 1 inside 50

Had an impressive day out in the ruck from a tapwork perspective against hte stronger and more experienced, but less athletic Lauren Quaife. Dziegielewski is still growing into her body and will get better at competing one-on-one, but has that competitive nature. Her deft tap down at the top of the goalsquare to a running Amy Fortescue handed the debutant a goal.

Peel Thunder:

#2 Evie Cowcher (Defender)
Stats: 27 disposals, 4 marks, 7 tackles, 1 inside 50

Played arguably her best game of the season with her kicking efficiency, decision making, and above all else proactive aggression really standing out. At times Cowcher can err on the side of caution defensively and look to pick off the high balls when they come, but there were multiple instances against the Tigers where she went in hard, won the loose ball and spun out of traffic to deliver clear. Her deceptive sidestep to get out of trouble wrong-footed some experienced opponents, and she even drew tacklers to her and dished off to free teammates instead of blazing away. Was one of the more complete games the talented top-ager has played.

#7 Heidi Ireland (Defender/Midfielder)
Stats: 14 disposals, 1 mark, 7 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 1 goal

Has perfected the two-way defensive shutdown role and continues to be given opportunities to do just that. Mostly playing in defence, Ireland started the match with a brilliant run-down tackle on Taylah Orzel who she spent time on at different parts. While nullifying her opponents, she also finds the ball herself and distributes down the field, then had a memorable moment where, against dual Dhara Kerr Medalist Jayme Harken, nudged her opponent off the ball at the stoppage and threw the ball on the boot to kick a goal.

#8 Tiama Collard (Forward)
Stats: 10 disposals, 2 marks, 3 tackles, 1 inside 50, 1 behind

Not a heap of opportunities for the Under 16s All-Australian, but the smart forward was still able to have some lively moments. She works up the ground and presents on leads, then tracks the ball when in her area. Had a chance heading towards kickign a major after a free kick but was just rushed across on the line.

#26 Charlie Fletcher (Wing)
Stats: 12 disposals, 2 marks, 2 tackles, 4 inside 50s

Was one of the most eye-catching players again and the Under 16s All-Australian got the opportunity to go head-to-head with her coach from that tournament, Kate Orme. Fletcher loves to run and carry and though playing on a wing, goes in to add an extra number at the stoppage and can win her own ball. Has no qualms about throwing herself into danger and applying pressure to the opposition.

Claremont:

#11 Ella Gilbey (Forward)
Stats: 6 disposals, 2 tackles, 1 inside 50

Had a tougher day out opposed to the likes of Ebony Dowson and other experienced Peel defenders, but never stopped trying. Even late in the last quarter Gilbey flew for a mark, and was following up all the way to half-back. Laid a couple of good tackles in a quieter game from the explosive forward.

#33 Juliet Kelly (Utility)
Stats: 23 disposals, 4 marks, 5 tackles, 1 inside 50, 1 goal

Similar to D’Addario, Kelly is a reliable player with a high floor each week wherever she plays. At times she was at half-forward, then others at half-back and of course through the middle to be part of that on-ball rotation. While not having the explosiveness, Kelly has an elite tank, neat skills and great decision making, with her skills more than often finding targets. Her decision making and execution going inside 50 is what teammates look to her to do.

Subiaco:

#8 Olivia Crane (Defender)
Stats: 17 disposals, 3 marks, 2 tackle, 1 inside 50

It was a fantastic sight to see the enormously talented Crane back out on the footy field for the first time since preseason last year when she tore her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Started like a house on fire as if she never left with a high line from half-back up to the forward side of centre and pinpointing passes with ease. Her aerial ability, reading the play and footskills seem to have lost nothing from her time off, and her ability to weigh her kicks on 45-degree angles is what makes her so damaging.

#22 Olivia Wolmarans (Forward)
Stats: 8 disposals, 4 marks, 2 tackles, 6 hitouts, 2 inside 50s

Though Wolmarans did not hit the scoreboard, the athletic tall kept battling and presenting inside 50, taking a few really strong marks and putting the ball into dangerous spots. Was unlucky that one shot on target was touched on the line, though she gave off a couple of goals as well. Kept crashing packs and making multiple leads to be a focal point inside 50 while the mids and smaller forwards went to work.

#24 Sunni-Quay Peters (Defender)
Stats: 10 disposals, 3 marks, 6 tackles, 1 inside 50

Had another industrious game out of defence with some important drive and intercepting. Under pressure she made a few mistakes, but once free was able to use her left foot to hit up targets down the field. Had clean hands and was fierce defensively, laying six tackles for the match.

#27 Layla Quinn-Schofield (Forward)
Stats: 10 disposals, 3 tackles, 4 inside 50s

Had a better game than her statline might suggest, with a lot of moments that won’t be seen from pure stats. She threw her body on the line, either applied a shepherd or block, tapped the ball to a teammate or even bought her teammates time through her pressure. Quinn-Schofield seemed to be in and around everything in the forward half, and had a few near chances, but also set up a couple of scoring opportunities for others in the process.

South Fremantle:

#15 Renee Morgan (Midfielder)
Stats: 16 disposals, 4 marks, 5 tackles, 1 inside 50

Another player with D’Addario and Kelly who will provide consistent performance week-in, week-out and though up against it given the stacked Subiaco midfield, held her own. She spread into space really well and was an option in transition, with her outside game – an improvement of hers for this season – looking good in the clash. The fact she can kick both sides of her body helps immensely, and when tackled, Morgan is still able to free her hands and get the ball away.