SOUTH Australia fell one win short of a third consecutive AFL Women’s Under 18s Championship last season so will return to the national stage in a bid to upstage Vic Metro and the stacked other sides. The Croweaters have a balance of top-age and bottom-age prospects and we profile the former below.

>> FULL SQUAD: South Australia names 2025 AFLW U18s squad

NATIONAL ACADEMY MEMBERS:

Lily Baxter (South Adelaide)
Forward/Wing | 173cm | 04/01/2007

SANFLW Stats: 11.6 disposals, 2.4 marks, 2.0 tackles, 1.8 inside 50s, 5 goals

An exciting talent with eye-catching kicking skills, Baxter has a high impact-per-possession game. She does not need a lot of touches to do damage on the scoreboard, having booted five goals this season largely as a forward, but set up plenty more with her vision and execution by foot. Baxter played as a wing last season and has the capability to fill out that role too.

Monique Bessen (Sturt)
Midfielder/Forward | 174cm | 05/02/2007

SANFLW Stats: 21.3 disposals, 3.6 marks, 4.7 tackles, 4.3 clearances, 3.1 inside 50s, 2.3 rebound 50s, 1 goal

A classy ball user with great decision making skills, Bessen has been on a tear of late through the SANFL Women’s. By her own admission her bottom-age championships were not at a level she wanted them to be – despite still showing promising signs – so the Sturt prospect is out to prove a point in 2025. Expect her to rotate between the middle and half-forward with plenty of depth in both roles, and her defensive game has lifted of late too.

Sophie Eaton (Central District)
Midfielder/Forward | 170cm | 23/04/2007

SANFLW Stats: 14.1 disposals, 2.0 marks, 4.5 tackles, 1.4 clearances, 2.4 inside 50s, 1 goal

Speaking of class, Eaton is all that and more. She has been a little inconsistent at times this season and has most recently been moved forward where she started as an Under 16s talent. But form is temporary and class is permanent, and Eaton knows how to use the ball with precision. One of the best kicks in the AFLW Draft crop, she can nail those long 45 kicks and spot targets loose before anyone has even clicked.

Eloise Mackereth (Glenelg)
Tall Forward | 173cm | 17/07/2007

SANFLW Stats: 6.8 disposals, 1.4 marks, 2.0 tackles, 1.5 inside 50s, 1 goal

Outside of her three goals with the National Academy, Mackereth has had a tough SANFLW season with the Bays slumping from minor premiers in 2024 to last on the ladder in 2025. Given the more open space at the national carnival, expect her to be played to her strengths which are her aerial game and set shot goalkicking. Has the opportunity to show what she did as a bottom-ager and is supremely gifted, and an dual All-Australian the past two years.

TOP-AGE TALENTS

Lottie Almond (Norwood)
Defender/Wing | 176cm | 09/10/2007

SANFLW Stats: 10.0 disposals, 1.8 marks, 3.0 tackles, 1.0 clearances, 2.3 rebound 50s

A late bloomer who really has hit her straps since making her debut in Norwood’s League squad, Almond has found a secondary role as a half-back/wing. She spent more time in the former the last couple of weeks and has done fantastic jobs, often under siege or outnumbered. Almond played as an inside midfielder at Development League level, so has the versatility under her belt.

Mikaylah Antony (Central District)
Defender | 169cm | 06/07/2007

SANFLW Stats: 9.5 disposals, 3.8 marks, 2.0 tackles, 2.0 rebound 50s

A hip complaint interrupted Antony’s start to the season, with the Central District defender returning via the All-Stars team taking on the National Academy. Acquitting herself well there and then returning to the Dogs defence, Antony provides run and carry and can hit targets with short, sharp kicks. A smooth-mover who backs herself from defence, she is one of many with the need for speed.

Tessa Davis (Glenelg)
Tall Defender | 175cm | 23/04/2007

SANFLW Stats: 19.0 disposals, 3.3 marks, 2.3 tackles, 7.8 rebound 50s

After juggling her football with her cricket and having an ACL injury curtail her bottom-age season, Davis has not missed a beat coming into the Glenelg side. She comes with high wraps from coach Talia Radan and is the most used player when it comes to kick outs. A booming left foot with precision and an ability to intercept both high inside defensive 50 and deeper close to goal, Davis is one who could boost her stocks at the national carnival.

Charli Hazelhurst (Norwood)
Tall Utility | 176cm | 02/07/2007

SANFLW Stats: 10.0 disposals, 1.2 marks, 4.5 tackles, 2.3 clearances, 1.7 inside 50s, 1 goal

Considered one of the most versatile players by her Norwood coaches, Hazelhurst has proven she can play on all three lines and even do so within a game. She is viewed as more of a running half-back for the Croweaters, so expect the tall to at least start there and provide an intercepting force. While Hazelhurst can play a nullifying role, she also has great athletic traits that make her a tough matchup wherever she plays.

Summer Ross (Sturt)
Wing/Forward | 167cm | 22/01/2007

SANFLW Stats: 10.0 disposals, 1.2 marks, 3.8 tackles, 1.0 clearances, 1.8 inside 50s, 3 goals

A breakout bottom-age campaign for the Double Blues really put Ross’ name on the map off a wing, and though she has been trialled as a forward, seems the most settled off a wing. Boasting a speed-endurance mix to be enviable of, and a neat left foot, Ross runs as hard as anyone and provides great defensive pressure all over the ground. Specialist wings are in vogue, so she will be a unique prospect.

Lily Smart (Sturt)
Wing | 173cm | 05/02/2007

SANFLW Stats: 9.8 disposals, 2.0 marks, 3.5 tackles, 1.0 clearances, 4.0 inside 50s

Incredible that Sturt has not one, but two wings making the State Academy, but the rise of Smart this season is akin to Ross’ work last year. She has a high-level athletics background so explosive speed, a great tank and has the extra centimetres too which allow her to compete strongly in the air. A nice balance of defensive and offensive traits, she started her debut SANFLW season slowly, but has had a couple of huge weeks lately.

Sophie Thredgold (Sturt)
Defender/Midfielder | 167cm | 03/05/2007

SANFLW Stats: 12.7 disposals, 2.4 marks, 4.7 tackles, 1.9 clearances, 1.9 inside 50s, 2.0 rebound 50s, 1 goal

One of the Croweaters to represent her state last year as a bottom-ager, Thredgold is a tried and true defender who has gained great midfield experience in 2025 for Sturt. On the weekend she was thrown back to the last line with her strength both overhead and at ground level on display. Thredgold is best known for her aggressive attitude at the ball and the way she can power out of a stoppage or off half-back.

Chloe Tonkin (West Adelaide)
Ruck/Forward | 183cm | 18/04/2007

SANFLW Stats: 11.0 disposals, 3.0 marks, 1.6 tackles, 16.4 hitouts, 1.9 clearances, 2.3 inside 50s, 1.3 rebound 50s

A really tricky matchup for any opponent, Tonkin is regarded one of, if not the best contested mark in the SANFL Women’s, with velcro-like hands up forward, dropping into the hole behind the ball, or around the ground as a ruck. She will settle as the latter and look to take advantage with her strength, though she can use the ball effectively too. Not a massive accumulator and an aerial-focused talent, but poses problems for opposition coaches.

Imogen Trengove (WWT Eagles)
Utility | 165cm | 25/04/2007

SANFLW Stats: 16.2 disposals, 1.4 marks, 4.0 tackles, 1.1 clearances, 4.4 inside 50s, 10 goals

Trengove’s work rate and ability to get contest to contest is superb, and she got her chance as a bottom-ager for the Croweaters last season. Capable of playing any role on the field, her forward opportunity this season for the 8-1 Eagles has seen her boot 10 majors to be the most of any non-key position player in the league. She is a fierce tackler, will be involved at half-back, wing and then suddenly be on a lead inside 50 such is her incredible running power.

Lucy Waye (West Adelaide)
Forward/Wing | 166cm | 07/06/2007

SANFLW Stats: 15.7 disposals, 3.0 marks, 4.6 tackles, 1.9 clearances, 2.3 inside 50s, 4 goals

Much like Trengove, Waye has an outstanding work rate that enables her to cover far more ground than you would expect from a traditional half-forward. Almost a second wing – even when not playing on the wing – Waye can win touches at half-back and then follow up to win multiple touches within the one chain. Her speed and endurance mix is very good and she has gone to another level in 2025 after a very good 2024.

BOTTOM-AGE TALENTS

South Australia’s 2026 AFLW Draft crop seems a very strong one, headlined by South Adelaide trio Taya Maxwell, Layla Vizgaudis and Emma Charlton. All three are more than capable of racking up 20-plus disposals in a game and have been catalysts for South Adelaide maintaining its place in the premiership race.

West Adelaide young gun Emily Mableson – who won the South Australian MVP at the Under 16s Championships – will provide added clash, while she, along with Under 16s All-Australians Miyu Endersby (Central District), Polly Turner (North Adelaide), Georgie Fielder (Glenelg) and Charlee Brooksby (Norwood) will all get their chances at the national carnival. Like Davis (cricket) and Turner (basketball), Tara Lord (softball) comes from a different sporting background but is making waves in Aussie rules.

Boasting SANFLW experience, Eagles pair Lucy Moore and Julia Faulkner will add midfield depth, as teammate and tall Ruby Lynch, alongside ruck Kate Alexander (Norwood) and forward/midfielders Hope Taylor (South Adelaide) and Lucy Reddaway (North Adelaide) are others in the same boat of experience. The only South Australian representative without League experience is Jyearah Newchurch, who is an up-and-coming exciting small forward out of Central District.

FIXTURES

Round 1: vs. Vic Metro | Sun June 22 @ Trevor Barker Beach Oval
Round 2: vs. Western Australia | Sun June 29 @ Revo Fitness Stadium
Round 3: vs. Queensland | Sun Aug 3 @ TBC
Round 4: vs. Vic Country | Sun Aug 10 @ TBC