SYDNEY Swans. Academy survived a second half scare from Gold Coast Suns Academy to record a seven-point win in the Talent League Girls competition. The Swans kicked three goals to one in the first term, and were actually outscored six goals to three after quarter time despite having 12 more scoring shots. In the end, the 6.17 (53) to 7.4 (46) result was enough for the red and white to take home the four points and remain undefeated.

We took note of some of the players across both sides who caught the eye.

SWANS ACADEMY:

#1 Charlotte Tidemann
Midfielder/Defender | 169cm | 08/08/2008

Stats: 20 disposals, 3 marks, 5 tackles, 3 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 6 rebound 50s

Tidemann was one of the Swans’ most reliable contributors, combining high work rate with clean ball use across multiple roles. She burst off half-back with purpose on several occasions – including taking a bounce and exploding away to drive the ball forward in the second term – and was constantly offering as a secondary option when teammates were under pressure. She usually looked to kick to space on the wing when a direct option wasn’t on, while her short inboard chips to open up the corridor showed sound decision making throughout.

#2 Evie Bowie
Midfielder/Forward | 170cm | 31/12/2008

Stats: 25 disposals, 4 marks, 3 tackles, 2 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 2 behinds

Bowie’s 25 disposals topped the Swans’ count and she was one of the more influential ball-winners on the ground, driving hard off stoppages and finding teammates with lovely release handballs that stood out across the game. Her best individual moment was a well-weighted 45-degree kick on the wing in the first term, while a strong contested mark leading out from a turnover deep in the second term showed her game awareness too. She was accurate enough in her kicking but her two behinds – including one pushed by the breeze – reflected the challenge of converting that possession dominance into scoreboard impact. A player with real upside.

#4 Lila Micheletti
Wing/Forward | 170cm | 07/10/2007

Stats: 14 disposals, 4 marks, 2 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

The over-ager showed her experience in the finer details, with a lovely turn and vision to hit up a target at centre half-forward the standout moment from her day. Her specky at half-back was an eye-catcher which demonstrated her instinct to attack the ball, and she linked up effectively on the outside in the final term when the Swans needed her composure.

#8 Grace Parsons
Forward | 180cm | 10/12/2007

Stats: 11 disposals, 5 marks, 5 hitouts, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50, 3 goals, 2 behinds

Parsons continually threatens to do a lot of damage on the scoreboard and she did just that, slotting 3.2 from 11 touches and being a marking target inside 50. With great mobility and smarts, the over-ager should be a player considered for the Preseason Draft. Her first two goals came from strong marks at close range, while her third was also from point-blank after an opponent overran the ball much to Parsons’ good fortunes. Could have kicked a couple more as well, but was very promising.

#10 Aurelia Russell
Midfielder/Forward | 160cm | 03/12/2008

Stats: 17 disposals, 1 mark, 6 tackles, 2 clearances, 7 inside 50s

Russell’s engine and forward thrust were the defining features of her performance, with seven inside 50s reflecting her constant work rate. She burst away on multiple occasions and had a particularly sharp passage in the second term – driving down the wing, kicking inside 50, then intercepting the rebound 50 herself and threading a lovely short pass to put a teammate in a position to score. Six tackles alongside that output shows she was never idle defensively either. A busy, high-motor contributor.

#15 Emma Haley
Midfielder/Forward | 160cm | 15/10/2008

Stats: 19 disposals, 3 marks, 6 tackles, 5 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 1 behind

Haley was excellent through the midfield, combining strong contested work with real athleticism to cover the ground in both directions. She won five clearances so impacted around the ball, while also providing burst off down the ground. She was sharp at winning the ball and moving it quickly, including a nice burst out of the centre and kick inside 50 to a contest later in the same quarter. Her two-way running was on show as Haley continued her Summer Series form by laying six tackles and helping out in defence, while also getting forward to set up scoring chances.

#25 Ava Horneman
Tall Forward | 175cm | 12/11/2008

Stats: 10 disposals, 3 marks, 2 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 2 goals, 1 behind

Horneman was dangerous in the front half and made the most of her opportunities when they came, finishing with two goals. Her first was an intercepted kick-in that she read brilliantly and finished on the run, while her second came from throwing it on the boot under pressure from close range with real instinct. She was unlucky not to have more, but her positioning inside 50 was consistently good, and her ability to read the ball in flight and manufacture scoring chances from her chances was a big tick.

#27 Amaia Wain
Ruck/Forward | 180cm | 31/08/2007

Stats: 21 disposals, 4 marks, 2 tackles, 23 hitouts, 3 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

The elite athlete had her biggest challenge of the year to date against Clinch, winning the same amount of hitouts. Though Wain’s jump is what sets her apart from a lot of other rucks, she had a field day around the ground, presenting strongly and linking up as if she was a “fourth midfielder”. She looked more confident in the air taking a few strong intercept marks, and was always a handful any time she could get a leap on it, or at a loose ball below her knees. One who will definitely come into consideration at the upcoming AFLW Preseason Draft.

SUNS ACADEMY:

#6 Allie Cameron
Midfielder/Forward | 161cm | 04/03/2009

Stats: 22 disposals, 3 marks, 9 tackles, 5 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s, 2 goals

The bottom-age talent is building a promising CV with 18 months left before she is draft eligible, and certainly adds some smarts with speed around the ball. She ticked both offensive and defensive goals, with the 161cm prospect booting two goals and also laying nine tackles. Her ability to cover the ground was very good and Cameron was not afraid to get her hands dirty.

#19 Stephanie Aguinaldo
Midfielder/Defender | 170cm | 04/04/2008

Stats: 29 disposals, 6 marks, 4 tackles, 7 clearances, 7 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s

All eyes were on Aguinaldo as the Suns Academy’s top draft-eligible player in the clash, and she did not disappoint. Having made the move from defence last year to play a more full-time midfield role in 2026, Aguinaldo was a standout for the visitors, and certainly best on for her side. She found plenty of the ball, was clean at ground level and strong when tackled, able to get her hands free and dispose of the ball effectively. Provided run and carry in transition and took a lot of marks for a player who spent most of the time in traffic.

#20 Lilly-Ann Ryder
Tall Defender | 173cm | 24/04/2007

Stats: 13 disposals, 4 marks, 3 tackles, 2 clearances, 6 rebound 50s

Was considered one of the more unlucky players to miss out on being drafted in last year’s edition, so will be a player who comes into AFLW club thoughts for the upcoming Preseason Draft. Her work behind the ball is strong, defensively she looked good and her disposal is still improving. Ryder’s athleticism has always been a big tick, so the over-ager’s all-round profile is coming together.

#24 Annabelle Foat
Midfielder | 161cm | 12/07/2007

Stats: 30 disposals, 5 marks, 8 tackles, 5 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 5 rebound 50s

Foat is such a reliable an unassuming player who makes those around her better. She is not the flashiest type who catches the eye with explosiveness, but what she does have is clean hands, strength at the coalface, and fantastic footy smarts that allow her to make good decisions with ball in hand. Like Ryder, Foat is another player who had clubs keeping close tabs on her last year and has started the season in style.

#32 Sienna Clinch
Ruck | 182cm | 15/06/2008

Stats: 12 disposals, 2 marks, 1 tackle, 23 hitouts, 2 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s

The top-age ruck had plenty of influence around the stoppages and backed up her Round 1 performance against the Lions with an impressive display taking on the Swans. The fact she broke even with Wain in the hitouts (23) is a massive tick given her opponent usually just dominates anyone thanks to her athleticism. Clinch used her body well and had her moments in transition as well which was a great positive.