WHILE on paper South Australia suffered its first twao-loss national carnival since the global pandemic, the Croweaters utilised more players than usual as others stepped up in the face of injuries to key prospects and only went down by a combined six points.

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RESULTS

RECORD: 2-2 | 124.8% | LWLW

Game 1: def. by Vic Metro 4.11 (35) to 4.7 (31)
Game 2: def. Western Australia 8.2 (50) to 4.6 (30)
Game 3: def. by Queensland 5.4 (34) to 4.8 (32)
Game 4: def. Vic Country 8.10 (58) to 5.8 (38)

HOW IT HAPPENED

South Australia had a tough four-point defeat at the hands of Vic Metro to start the carnival, before bouncing back the next week to account for Western Australia by 20 despite having less inside 50s. The Croweaters had their chances against Queensland and lead for the most part, but the Maroons hit back in the final term to run over the top of them. South Australia finished on a high though, producing another 20-point victory, this time over Vic Country last weekend.

WHAT WORKED

The young South Australian midfield stepped up, with most of the players going around again next year given their bottom-age status. Injuries to key talls hurt the Croweaters, but some 2008-born athletes also stepped up in that regard, while the transitional game turning defence into offence was eye-catching as per usual.

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER

Emma Charlton (South Adelaide)
Midfielder | 160cm | 19/06/2008

Averages: 24.5 disposals, 2.5 marks, 7.3 tackles, 6.5 clearances, 3.5 inside 50s, 2.0 rebound 50s

The star South Adelaide prospect is still only a bottom-ager and has long been touted as a top prospect in next year’s AFLW Draft. Bearing similar traits to sister Teah, Charlton added the Croweaters’ MVP to her best on ground in the SANFLW Grand Final, having had a dominant 2025 season across all levels. A natural ball-winner with elite footy smarts and great balance between offensive and defensive traits.

LEADING GOALKICKER

Eloise Mackereth (Glenelg)
Tall Utility | 176cm | 15/11/2007

Averages: 8.3 disposals, 2.3 marks, 2.0 inside 50s, 1.8 goals

The Glenelg top-ager has enormous talent and offensively she is as good as there is in this year’s AFLW Draft. When the game is on her terms, she can fly for marks, beat opponents at ground level and kick some ripping goals. Much like last season as a bottom-ager, Mackereth emerged as her side’s most potent forward and finished off strongly with two goals against Vic Country to take her total to seven.

RISING PROSPECT

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

Averages: 25.0 disposals, 2.0 marks, 5.7 tackles, 3.3 clearances, 3.3 inside 50s, 1.0 goals

The South Australian skipper did a body of work across the carnival and really boosted her draft stocks in doing so. She has had a big year with Woodville-West Torrens in the SANFLW and though her national championships ended in heartbreak with injury, she still showed more than enough across the first three games for AFLW clubs to get a great gauge of what she is capable of on the big stage.

ONES TO WATCH

Unfortunately potential top prospect Sophie Eaton only played the two games, while Monique Bessen and Lily Baxter had their big games as other National Academy members. Another big performer alongside Trengove was Lucy Waye, while the likes of Charli Hazelhurst and Tessa Davis played important roles for the Croweaters throughout the carnival. When Trengove went down, running defender Sophie Thredgold stepped up to take the captaincy reins.

THE FUTURE

South Australia’s 2008-born crop is ultra exciting, even factoring in the Croweaters were without Taya Maxwell – a genuine pick one contender – for most of the tournament. Georgie Fielder, Lucy Moore and Julia Faulkner combining with Charlton is the on-ball group in 12 months time, while versatile tall Polly Turner and South Adelaide pair Layla Vizgaudis and Hope Taylor are promising players for the future.