SOUTH Australia’s squad for the upcoming AFLW Under 18 Championships has been locked in, with the final 30 players officially named ahead of the first match on June 13. Always among the title contenders, the Croweaters boast a raft of National Academy members and future Academy members with balance across all three lines.

South Adelaide duo Emma Charlton – the reigning state MVP after winning it in her bottom-age campaign – and Taya Maxwell are among four National Academy members, with athletic tall Miyu Endersby and smooth-moving Emily Mableson the top-end talents in the group. However the outstanding depth does not end there, wiht Glenelg midfielder Georgie Fielder, North Adelaide dual position player Polly Turner and Under 17 Futures MVP Lucy Moore among those in the squad.

In-form South Adelaide midfielder Layla Vizgaudis headlines the depth of the top-age crop, with the talented ball-winner firmly joining those above in the top echelon, while the smart Julia Faulkner, dual-sided Charlee Brooksby and elite skilled Hope Taylor also pressing their cases.

Athletic tall Ruby Lynch, crafty forward Madeline Nuss and hard-at-it midfielder/forward Elke Cameron have been plenty some terrific SANFLW football, with ruck Kate Alexander, forward/midfielder Demi Holloway, Redlegs forward Chelsea Newitt and Norwood’s Sharmaine Crosby completing a really deep 2008-born group.

South Australia boasts two of the top prospects in next year’s draft as well in Lani Cocks (Norwood) and Maia Freemantle (Woodville-West Torrens), while the classy Charlotte Maurits, her teammate Olivia Leslie, and Leslie’s fellow defenders Tori Evans and Marley Tape highly prestigious prospects.

Caitlin Hardin has been impressing through the middle for North Adelaide this season, with Under 16s All-Australian Isabella Beaumont and Maya Fuller the other bottom-age Roosters. Sturt’s Lily Whiteman, Central District’s Indiana Nelson, Norwood’s Lillian Thomas round out the 30-strong squad.

Brad Snell will again take the reins as head coach of the Croweaters who begin their national campaign next month. South Australia kicks off against Western Australia in Perth on June 13, before playing at Alberton Oval across the following two weeks against the Allies and Vic Metro. The Croweaters’ carnival will come to a close in what many believe could be the theoretical grand final against Queensland in Melbourne on July 11.

Snell’s assistants include past SANFLW players Alison Ferrall and Brianna Arthur, as well as Craig Lum and Jack Hannath, while Crows superstar Chelsea Randall is also assisting the squad with individual development plans and leadership.

2026 South Australia AFLW U18s Girls Squad