DESPITE a couple of top-end talents missing the week as they managed injuries, there were still plenty of State Academy members running around in the SANFL Women’s. We took note of how each of those Academy members in action, performed.

All notes are the opinion of the individual author.

GLENELG:

#6 Georgie Fielder (Forward/Midfielder)

Stats: 19 disposals, 2 marks, 4 tackles, 7 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 1 goal, 2 behinds

Coming up trumps when it counted most, the Glenelg bottom-ager had a couple of crucial plays late in the match to help drag her side over the line. Down by nine points, Fielder slotted a classy goal on the run with with a few minutes on the clock, then was the extractor at half-forward who got it to Madisyn Freeman for the kick to match-winner Kaitey Whittaker. Fielder got better as the game went on and it culminated in those memorable plays that got Glenelg on the board in season 2025.

#9 Eloise Mackereth (Forward)

Stats: 3 disposals, 1 mark, 3 tackles

Not through lack of working up the ground, the talented National Academy member again struggled to get too much going her way. She had a few nice leads but was tightly guarded by the Bulldogs defenders throughout the match. Mackereth was able to nail both handballs on the move to O’Sullivan and placed a lovely kick to the wing when she won the ball at half-back, while laying a few tackles throughout the course of the match. Just needs an ounce of luck and confidence and she can turn it around.

#19 Matilda Wilmore (Forward/Midfielder)

Stats: 10 disposals, 2 marks (1 contested), 3 tackles, 1 clearance, 2 inside 50s, 1 behind

Played one of her best games for the season, working hard in the forward 50 and pushing up to also have some midfield minutes. Strong overhead and tenacious as ever at ground level, Wilmore applied great pressure in the front half of the ground and does a lot of team things that are not always rewarded on the stats sheet such as shepherds or deft taps. Usually under pressure, she aimed to get the ball deep and long whenever possible.

#48 Charlotte O’Sullivan (Forward)

Stats: 4 disposals, 1 mark, 1 tackle, 1 goal

Another low-possession but high-impact game, it will be pretty scary for the opposition when O’Sullivan starts finding more of the ball. She kicked a goal from a set shot early in the second term and loves to pierce kicks on that 45-degree angle. Competes in the air and at ground level, the Under 16s prospect is still developing at the level but does catch the eye.

CENTRAL DISTRICT:

#3 Miyu Endersby (Ruck)

Stats: 8 disposals, 2 marks, 4 tackles, 39 hitouts, 3 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 2 behinds

Took control in the ruck with her athleticism and was able to get first hands to it first just shy of 40 times. Though not winning a stack of it around the ground, Endersby is a nice ball user who can lower her eyes with kicks, while also throwing herself at the opposition and laying some strong tackles. Able to clunk marks as a target, she has a well-rounded game that continues to develop, and her follow-up work is a highlight.

#9 Charlotte Maurits (Forward)

Stats: 11 disposals, 3 marks (1 contested), 1 tackle, 1 clearance, 2 inside 50s

The hard-running left-footer set up a number of scoring chances going forward and won the ball in the front half of the ground fairly well. She won a holding the ball free to set the tone in the first term, and with time and space can do damage. Is still adapting to the level and speed of League football, but the last two weeks have been a further step forward for the Under 16s talent.

#12 Sophie Eaton (Forward)

Stats: 13 disposals, 2 marks, 4 tackles, 1 inside 50

Mostly playing as that high half-forward now, Eaton is the perfect ball user going inside 50 with her skills among the best in the competition when in space. She can pinpoint passes or find players that few others can, which is what she is capable of doing at her best. Eaton’s long weighted handballs are an underrated skill to have, and combined with her vision and execution, she can open up the play by hand or foot.

#31 Tara Lord (Midfielder/Forward)

Stats: 8 disposals, 2 marks, 1 tackle, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50

Stared forward and went on-ball later in the match gaining experience against Jess Bates, Lord is a stronger bodied player who is a good size as well and can play both offensive and negating roles. Still learning her craft and working back from her concussion that kept her out for a few weeks, Lord needs that continuity given she has a couple of exciting traits with her overhead strength and powerful kick.

#54 Mikaylah Antony (Defender)

Stats: 5 disposals, 3 marks, 2 tackles, 1 rebound 50

Not a huge game from Antony in terms of her touches, but she did spend time on Mackereth and did a great job. Her offensive work is already a known quantity, so gaining a stronger defensive element is another step in the right direction for the speedy half-back who can play on a variety of defenders while also providing drive out of the back 50.

NORTH ADELAIDE:

#3 Bailey Murray (Defender)

Stats: 13 disposals, 4 marks (1 contested), 8 tackles, 2 clearances, 1 inside 50, 1 rebound 50

Quietly going about her business, Murray is building into some really nice consistent form out of the back half, while also popping into the midfield for occasional stints. She seems to work into games and get stronger as the match builds, with a lot of her disposals coming after half-time, especially in the fourth term. She moves well, can compete strongly in the air and has clean hands which all aid in her work from defence.

#5 Polly Turner (Forward)

Stats: 6 disposals, 1 mark (1 contested), 2 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 2 goals, 1 behind

While not having a lot of opportunities to work with, the Adelaide and Carlton father-daughter prospect did managed to still kick a couple of goals either side of the match. She ran into goal in the opening term with a kick that was not perfect but bounced home, before nailing a set shot from a free kick in the fourth quarter.

#35 Caitlin Hardin (Forward)

Stats: 6 disposals, 2 marks, 5 tackles, 2 clearances, 1 inside 50, 2 rebound 50s

Hardin spent more time in the forward half through the game, and while she only had the six touches, provided a couple of eye-catching plays. Her first was a juggling mark at half-forward – which unfortunately saw her try and play on and was run-down after an unfortunate bounce went astray – and a brilliant low bullet into Julia Clark for a goal assist midway through the second term.

WEST ADELAIDE:

#3 Lucy Waye (Forward)

Stats: 11 disposals, 1 mark, 2 tackles, 1 hitout, 5 clearances, 1 inside 50

Waye was one of her side’s best despite just the 11 touches with her constant running up and down the ground really putting pressure on the opposition. She would occasionally run herself into trouble, but was also able to force others into trouble such as a brilliant smother late in the first half. She was clean at ground level and quick to move the ball on, with her athleticism and work rate coming to the fore once again. Having a magnificent 2025 season.

#4 Emily Mableson (Defender/Midfielder)

Stats: 17 disposals, 1 mark, 10 tackles, 3 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

Once again played a key role for West Adelaide, often cruising through the middle from half-back down the ground, though also had to get her hands dirty in close when North was on top. She laid a stack of great tackles, used her body well around the ball and is so crafty with her long weighted handballs out of congestion. A bottom-ager who will become that fully fledged midfielder, but is so classy coming out of defence and picks the right options with composure.

#14 Chloe Tonkin (Ruck/Forward)

Stats: 7 disposals, 1 mark (1 contested), 1 tackle, 20 hitouts, 1 clearance, 1 rebound 50, 2 behinds

It looked like Tonkin was in for a huge day early on when she won a free kick and then clunked a contested mark in the opening six minutes. However both pushed to the right from a near-identical spot, and West Adelaide struggled to score after that. She dropped behind the ball to be in the hole at times, and though she did well through the ruck, could not have the same impact around the ground she has had the past couple of rounds.

NORWOOD:

#14 Kate Alexander (Ruck)

Stats: 5 disposals, 1 mark, 5 tackles, 27 hitouts, 3 clearances

In a stoppage-filled game, Alexander had a tough day out against Leah Cutting with her opponent being a clear best on ground in the win. That was not to say Alexander did not have her moments and break even in some of the ruck contests, but ultimately it was another learning curve for the bottom-ager. Her tackling pressure and follow-up work is so good, and once she begins to compete more consistently against the stronger rucks, will improve another facet of her game.

#18 Charlee Brooksby (Defender/Wing)

Stats: 13 disposals, 2 marks, 5 tackles, 2 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

Class with a capital ‘C’, Brooksby is the ideal player to have on the outside. She can bring the pressure but also loves to run and carry, and though not a lockdown defender, has the athleticism to keep tabs on the opposition. She is clean and always eyeing off a way to pinpoint passes down the ground and get involved, finishing as one of Norwood’s better players once again.

#54 Lottie Almond (Defender)

Stats: 9 disposals, 3 marks, 5 tackles, 4 rebound 50s

Had a tough gig in defence again though never gives up and even if she loses a one-on-one, does everything to win the ball back. For the second week in a row she was able to nullify a one-on-two contest in the back half, bringing it to ground and locking it up. Her second and third efforts are always admirable, and she consistently mopped up in defence.

WOODVILLE-WEST TORRENS:

#4 Julia Faulkner (Forward)

Stats: 6 disposals, 1 tackle, 2 inside 50s

A quieter game from Faulkner in the wing, who had a nice highlight with a well placed kick in front of Trengove running into goal at one stage. Just the half dozen touches but was limited to forward more so than any midfield time which made a difference.

#7 Maia Freemantle (Wing/Midfielder)

Stats: 9 disposals, 7 tackles, 2 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

After a busy game last round, Freemantle had a quieter outing from a production standpoint, but the one element you can always rely on with the Under 16s All-Australian captain is her defensive pressure. She harassed opponents constantly and when she had her chances was clean at ground level. Was a little more rushed with her kicks going forward, but still did well to set up a goal to Rosette Zerella late in the second term with a deep kick goalside.

#15 Lucy Moore (Midfielder)

Stats: 11 disposals, 1 mark (1 contested), 7 tackles, 3 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

Another youngster who has had bigger games but was pretty solid across the board, contributing where she could on-ball. Her defensive pressure is elite, she has a great turn of foot when given any space and she used that along with her clean hands to pump the ball deep and set up a goal early in the third term. Took a nice contested mark as well on the defensive side of the wing.

#22 Imogen Trengove (Wing/Forward)

Stats: 13 disposals, 2 marks, 5 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 2 goals, 2 behinds

Runs as hard as anyone else in the league and was rewarded with two second half goals. She started on a wing then pushed forward where she was having shots for fun inside 50. She missed some chances, but did nail a nice set shot from long-range then put the icing on the cake with a brilliant passage in the last few minutes. Trengove kept her feet while being tackled on the wing, but got the ball forward where she ran to, received it again and launched from 45m with an open goalsquare that bounced home.

SOUTH ADELAIDE:

#8 Hope Taylor (Forward/Wing)

Stats: 10 disposals, 2 marks, 2 tackles, 2 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 1 behind

Taylor is an exciting prospect who has her traits that stand out with clean hands and a nice ability to cover the ground. Usually a precise kick, she made a few little uncharacteristic errors, but as a whole was still a solid contributor across the ground. Has the versatility to play in a variety of positions across the ground too.

#19 Taya Maxwell (Utility)

Stats: 20 disposals, 7 marks (1 contested), 3 tackles, 12 hitouts, 8 clearances, 10 inside 50s, 1 goal, 1 behind

Easily best-on in the first half and still amongst the best if not best-on by the final siren, Maxwell had an imposing game across multiple positions. She is strong, mobile and can thump penetrating kicks on either side of her body which is incredibly rare. Her ability to roll through the ruck, play midfield, go forward or back makes her a unique talent, and she hit the scoreboard via a free kick and close-range set shot. Maxwell is going to cause a lot of problems for opposition coaches for a long time given her size and athleticism never mind her dual-sidedness.

#20 Layla Vizgaudis (Midfielder/Forward)

Stats: 23 disposals, 4 marks, 3 tackles, 4 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s, 3 goals

Vizgaudis kicked her first SANFLW goal with a classy finish off the handball receive less than two minutes into the second term. She enjoyed it so much the bottom-ager decided to kick two more, with a long-range finish just over 10 minutes later, then when playing deep forward, had a one-two and waltzed into goal nine minutes into the last. She was handy in the middle and always brings the defensive heat, but on this occasions, Vizgaudis got reward for effort on the scoreboard.

#25 Emma Charlton (Midfielder/Forward)

Stats: 23 disposals, 6 tackles, 3 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 1 behind

Started on-ball and had a typical performance where she was able to do a little of everything throughout the match. While the sister of Adelaide’s Teah has had more impactful games, she was strong in close defensively, and got out the back of stoppages to drive the ball down the ground when required. Consistently helps her side by finding dangerous areas in the forward half.

#56 Lily Baxter (Forward)

Stats: 13 disposals, 1 tackle

While the National Academy member did not hit the scoreboard on this occasion, Baxter’s influence was greater than her statline might suggest. She had a couple of ‘almost marks’ and was clean at ground level leading to an early goal to Mel Anderson and handed her teammate a second shot midway through the last term. Her run and carry combined with her skills make her a damaging player in the front half of the ground and she is always tightly watched given her hurt factor.

#60 Marley Tape (Defender)

Stats: 5 disposals, 3 tackles, 1 inside 50

The Under 16s defender continues to play her role in the back half, doing a job each and every week. She works up the ground at times to be an extra number on the wing when following her opponent, and does not take a backwards step. Given her role she is never going to win a stack of the footy but generally does pretty well with it.

STURT:

#4 Summer Ross (Wing/Forward)

Stats: 9 disposals, 1 mark, 4 tackles, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50, 1 rebound 50, 1 behind

After a strong game last round kicking a nice goal to put her side in front, Ross was back at it early working hard off a wing. She looked a little uncertain going forward with a couple of potential scoring options going begging including one kick that fell short rather than to Amy Brooks-Birve‘s height advantage at the back, and another where she got on her favoured left side bursting past an opponent but then just handballed to space instead. Ross will learn from those missed opportunities as she has been very good this season.

#7 Lily Whiteman (Forward)

Stats: 7 disposals, 3 tackles, 2 clearances, 1 rebound 50

In game two, Whiteman buzzed around the forward half of the ground and pressured opponents to force mistakes. She even got up to the defensive 50 at one stage, though her best play was in the opening 30 seconds of the final quarter where she weighted a lovely kick to Zara Walsh for a goal assist.

#16 Monique Bessen (Midfielder/Forward)

Stats: 24 disposals, 4 marks, 6 tackles, 7 clearances, 1 inside 50, 5 rebound 50s

Is in red-hot form at the moment a month out from the start of the national championships. The National Academy member has been Sturt’s best the last fortnight and while she hit the scoreboard last week, she did her best work behind the ball, clearing it from danger and then winning it out of the stoppages. Across the four quarters, Bessen kept being a thorn in the Panthers’ side with her quick hands, nice extraction ability and clean skills shining through in a tough loss.

#17 Sophie Thredgold (Midfielder/Defender)

Stats: 10 disposals, 4 marks, 2 tackles, 1 inside 50, 1 rebound 50

Battled on hard through the match but mostly found the ball either outside the contest or at half-back where she reads the game so well. Thredgold has had a good season through the middle in 2025, so while it was a down game for her, she has not had many of them this year. Won five of her touches in the first 15 minutes, so started strongly, but like quite a few others, once South took over it was hard to find momentum back.

#25 Edwina Thornquest (Forward)

Stats: 8 disposals, 2 marks, 2 tackles, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50, 1 behind

Had a promising start like Thredgold, leading strongly from the attacking 50 and presenting up the ground. Ultimately she only had a few looks – and very minimal ones after quarter time, though had some very skilful plays with her touches such as a lovely kick to Ross inside 50 and great handball through traffic. Had a chance on goal late in the match but hit the post.

#26 Lily Smart (Wing)

Stats: 10 disposals, 2 marks (1 contested), 2 tackles, 5 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

While her game last week was an out of the box performance, Smart’s backup effort was still pretty handy. She did not have the same time or space, but not through lack of trying. The top-age wing used her explosive burst to break away and take grass down the field, trying desperately to pump the ball inside 50. She did just that on a number of occasions, and though the going was tough in the loss, she could hold her head high with her intent.