EIGHT State Academy members took to the field in the 2025 SANFL Women’s Preliminary Final as South Adelaide accounted for Sturt in a big way. The Panthers had five players and the Double Blues three with each of them having some sort of impact across the course of the do-or-die final.

SOUTH ADELAIDE:

#8 Hope Taylor (Forward)

Stats: 6 disposals, 1 mark, 3 tackles, 1 clearance, 5 inside 50s, 1 goal

Taylor sparked the side with a brilliant snap goal early in the match to get the Panthers up and about. Pouncing on a loose ball after a run-down tackle from a teammate, Taylor threw it on the boot and kicked truly. Had a few nice, clean disposals later on in the match as well.

#20 Layla Vizgaudis (Forward/Midfielder)

Stats: 16 disposals, 2 marks, 4 tackles, 4 clearances, 2 inside 50s

As she so often does, rotated between attack and midfield and always brings the heat. Good in close and has some sublime skills, Vizgaudis also spent time on Isobel Kuiper around the ball at different points. Her disposal going inside 50 to hit up Shae Archbold in the pocket was elite and was effective with her disposals by hand or foot.

#25 Emma Charlton (Midfielder/Forward)

Stats: 13 disposals, 2 marks, 8 tackles, 2 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 1 goal, 1 behind

Charlton might not have had a stack of it, but was fierce defensively and had her big moments throughout the game. In the second term while inside 50, Charlton was clean around a stoppage, picked up the ball and threw it on the boot to an open goalsquare which bounced home just six minutes into the second quarter. She remained vigilant throughout the match and produced eight tackles in the win.

#56 Lily Baxter (Wing)

Stats: 24 disposals, 7 marks, 1 tackle, 3 inside 50s, 1 goal

Baxter was the subject of our Player Focus and her full performance is detailed there, but essentially she produced the biggest game of her season. The top-ager used the ball well going forward, stretched the ground well and looked to open the game up with deft, short passes into the corridor or on the 45.

>> PLAYER FOCUS: Lily Baxter (South Adelaide)

#60 Marley Tape (Defender)

Stats: 8 disposals, 3 marks, 3 tackles, 1 inside 50

Played in her usual defensive role taking a couple of intercept marks in the third term when she had more to do after a quiet first half as South Adelaide dominated. Got to move further afield in the last where she had a few touches in the forward half, including just inside 50 where she sidestepped and kicked to the pocket.

STURT:

#16 Monique Bessen (Midfielder/Forward)

Stats: 21 disposals, 3 marks, 5 tackles, 5 clearances, 2 rebound 50s

Was steadfast in defeat and had some really big moments around the ball, weighting her touches from congestion to the outside. Just kept popping up all around the ground and got her hands dirty too. Her clean hands, skills and decision making were all on full display, and Bessen was one of the best Double Blues in her final SANFLW game of the season.

#17 Sophie Thredgold (Defender)

Stats: 18 disposals, 2 marks, 2 tackles, 1 inside 50, 2 rebound 50s

Had plenty to do off half-back and just did her role, working back to aid in the support behind the ball and chipping it around to find exits. Thredgold reads the play well and looked the part, and aside from one moment running into trouble in the second term, tried to break lines and give the Double Blues some movement from the back half of the ground.

#26 Lily Smart (Wing)

Stats: 12 disposals, 7 tackles, 2 clearances

Played her typical game which involved lots of running and lots of tackling. She did not get a lot of space to run with ball in hand, but continually harassed the opposition and capped off a consistent top-age season where she adapted to League level well. Has the explosive speed and endurance that suits the wing role perfectly and worry any opposition.