GUNNING for three in a row, the SANFLW State Team has made the trek to Perth to tackle the WAFLW tomorrow as the Sandgropers look to find the key to unlock success against their cross-state rivals. In the third match since the series began, Western Australia will be back at home to try and pick up a maiden triumph, with the South Australians having won by 16 points in Perth two years ago, then eight points in Adelaide last season.

Both teams have named incredibly stong sides, with the WAFLW having 14 former AFLW listed players, far eclipsing the SANFLW’s four. However despite the experience gap at the elite level, the SANFLW has had the benefit of already picking up a win in state colours this season, defeating the VFLW in a thriller last month during Gather Round which provided the tri-colours with plenty of confidence ahead of the trip west.

WAFLW Team Analysis

The WAFLW State Team, led by the formidable Jayme Harken, boasts a strong midfield and dangerous forward line. Harken, a dual Dhara Kerr Medallist, is known for her inside midfield prowess, physicality, and penetrating left boot . She will be a key player in winning contested possessions and driving the ball forward.

Joining Harken in the midfield is Jaime Henry who has been in stellar form, averaging high disposals and tackles in the WAFLW season . Her endurance and clean hands make her a prolific ball-winner and a crucial link between defense and attack. Up forward, Krstel Petrevski, another Dhara Kerr Medallist, is a consistent performer around the ball and will be looking to hit the scoreboard. Poppy Stockwell provides a dynamic presence in the forward line with her strong aerial game and goal-kicking ability.

The half-back line of Matilda Sergeant, Mackenzie Webb and Annabel Johnson looms as the key line to try and thwart the SANFLW’s attacks, while the midfield brigade – of which a whopping 11 players have as their preferred position – is as deep as you could ever hope for.

The WAFLW side features a balanced mix of talls and smalls, with a focus on in-form players. Incredibly, just seven of the Sandgropers have not at least been listed at AFLW level before, with the bulk of those training partners and close to being drafted, while a remarkable 12 of the starting 16 have been officially listed at the top level. That in itself is a massive tick.

WAFLW Squad:

B: (21) Tiani Teakle, (18) Sienna Timmermans
HB: (23) Matilda Sergeant, (14) Mackenzie Webb, (15) Annabel Johnson
C: (6) Ruby Sargent-Wilson, (27) Isabella Shannon, (8) Lisa Steane
HF: (4) Lucy Greenwood, (13) Courtney Lindgren, (5) Paige Sheppard
F: (31) Kristel Petrevski, (19) Poppy Stockwell
R: (25) Lauren Quaife, (1) Jayme Harken C, (11) Jaime Henry
INT: (17) Juliet Kelly, (12) Holly Britton, (16) Jess Freame, (2) Natasha Entwistle, (10) Makaela Tuhakaraina, (22) Jae Flynn

SANFLW:

The SANFLW State Team arrives with an unbeaten record against the WAFLW in recent years, showcasing their consistent strength. The squad is headlined by reigning SANFLW Best and Fairest winner Zoe Venning, an elite midfielder known for her high disposal, tackle, and clearance numbers . Venning’s ability to win the ball at the contest and distribute effectively will be vital for the Croweaters.

In defence, Annie Falkenberg is the skipper and provides great composure, leadership and structure to any defensive zone she is in. Up forward, Jade Halfpenny is coming off a remarkable 40-disposal game on the weekend, and can be a huge marking target, while also using her footskills to great effect . The ruck division will be anchored by Soriah Moon who is arguably the best ruck outside the AFLW, while her Panthers teammate Tiffany King provides a rock-solid full-back option.

Good luck to the defender trying to quell Klaudia O’Neill who is in sensational form through the SANFLW at the moment, leading the goalkicking and her contested marking and set shot goalkicking is on another level. Kiana Lee having the benefit of only getting the third defender will be huge, with opposition SANFLW teams always looking to quell her influence in the front half of the ground.

The SANFLW team features a blend of experienced players and potential debutants, all eager to maintain their strong interstate record. While South Australia does not have the AFLW experience that the West Australian team has, they have a really well-balanced squad that has a blend of strength and speed, as well as marking targs up both ends.

SANFLW Squad:

B: (5) Marie Martino, (21) Tiffany King VC
HB: (17) Georgia Madigan, (26) Annie Falkenberg C, (3) Tahlita Buethke
C: (19) Coby Morgan, (9) Zoe Venning, (8) Holly Ifould
HF: (20) Kiana Lee, (22) Jade Halfpenny, (6) Melissa Anderson
F: (14) Lauren Breguet, (27) Klaudia O’Neill
R: (25) Soriah Moon, (4) Alice Tentye, (7) Dakota Williams
INT: (23) Georgia King, (2) Laitiah Huynh, (12) Isla Wiencke, (11) Aprille Crooks, (16) Emily Bartsch, (18) Alex Ballard

Why can the WAFLW can win?

The WAFLW has star power on its side. In what is unquestionably its most experienced squad from an AFLW representative perspective, the amount of talent that has played at the elite level is ridiculous. It is pretty similar to the VFLW team that went out 12 months ago and toppled the SANFLW, and the midfield depth of Harken, Henry and Isabella Shannon is simply stronger and more experienced than their South Australian counterparts.

For the WAFLW to win though, they have to play the brand that suits them, which is contest style and getting the ball forward in a more chaotic manner. The SANFLW squad is so well-drilled and understanding of each others, the likes of King and Falkenberg can sniff an intercept a mile off, and that’s before you even get to the other defenders.

The WAFLW’s forwardline has three first-choice midfielders in it in Petrevski, Paige Sheppard and Lucy Greenwood, albeit the latter started her career as a forward and Petrevski has spent time there at the top level. The midfield rotations will be endless for the Sandgropers, which is an enviable task for coach Jack Schwarze, and the defence is elite. The trio mentioned earlier across half-back with the defence-first minded talls in Tiani Teakle and Sienna Timmermans givens Schwarze some options to flick around onto different SANFLW forwards.

Finally, the homeground advantage should not be understated. On a massive day of football action, the black and gold will be firmly flowing all around the stadium. While South Australia will have plenty of support, no doubt the home side will make sure fans are decked out everywhere to try and turn Leederville Oval into a fortress.

Why can the SANFLW can win?

History, for one. The SANFLW is 2-0 from these clashes, and with the cohesion strong thanks to the match against the Victorians, the visitors do have that familiarity that can sometimes take a little while to gel on matchday. They should be right from the get-go.

Secondly, the team balance. The South Australians don’t have the same firepower from an AFLW perspective that the West Australians do, but the team balance – particularly up forward is elite. The team that has been named is where they would almost always – bar one or two – be named for their respective SANFLW clubs. For those not in their number one position, it is their rotational position on gameday. No midfielders up forward or having to learn a different role to their week-in, week-out job.

The West Australians will have the SANFLW for strength and size around the ball, which is not to say the South Australians are not tough. It’s just the starting Croweater midfield are 163cm, 164cm and 168cm, compared to the West Australians who are 173cm, 176cm and 178cm. They are gaps of 10cm-plus in each matchup which is something the Croweaters have to counter.

In saying that, the Croweaters will have them for speed in that area. All three of Venning, Tentye and debutant Dakota Williams will have the opposition for speed, so that is where the tri-colours can take advantage. They will look to breakaway and bring the ball forward. Western Australia has speedier, smaller options such as the three aforementioned forwards in Petrevski, Greenwood and Sheppard who bring more speed however. Having Moon in the ruck is a huge plus, and she should take control in the ruck battle.

They Said…

Jack Schwarze, WAFLW coach

“We feel that we’ve picked a really well-balanced side with a mix of youth and experience. “It’s great to see 10 new faces in the squad, with many earning their spot after strong form in the ATCO WAFLW competition.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for our side to reverse the result in Adelaide last year. “To play in front of a home crowd will lift our players in what’s going to be an exciting triple-header of representative football at Sullivan Logistics Stadium.”

Phil Aspinall, SANFLW Chairman of Selectors

“The selection committee are really happy with the selected 22 to head over to Perth to take on the WAFLW girls. “The team has been picked on form and, like the WA side, has a good mix of youth and experience. “We are really excited as a group to head over to Perth and look to claim back to win wins for the SANFLW team in 2026.”

Thanks again mate.

Conclusion

Essentially the result comes down to a couple of key aspects. On paper, the West Australians have the “stronger” side from an experience point of view, but the South Australians are more balanced. The SANFLW has named a side that could run out any day of the week having picked players from their exact positions, while the WAFLW has gone for the firepower and midfield depth in particular – as well as an elite backline – to provide unlimited rotational options in there.

The second is the strength against speed element around the ball. As a whole, both teams do have options to go either way, but from the starting sides, the West Australians size gap (strength) compared to the South Australian’s athletic edge (speed) is a fascinating side watch within the game. Fortunately given the strength of both leagues, Schwarze and Narelle Smith can look upon Plan Bs and Cs, with the latter even having a few other letters given the time they have spent together.

It is difficult to tip against the South Australians given the natural cohesion and understanding the playing group has with each other. If there was a year the West Australians could finally break the drought, then 2026 looks to be one they could do it. I’m genuinely expecting a single-digit margin between the sides, with the midfield battle the one to watch.