WESTERN Australia notched up its first win of the AFLW Under 18 Championships, coming back from 16 points down at the final break to run over the top of Vic Country at Kennedy Community Centre in Dingley. The Sandgropers booted four last quarter goals to secure the 6.4 (40) to 5.3 (33) victory on Saturday with players across both sides catching the eye.

VIC COUNTRY:

#4 Eliza Roche (Murray Bushrangers)
Forward | 165cm | 03/03/2008

Stats: 16 disposals, 6 marks, 5 tackles, 3 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 1 goal

The versatile forward worked hard up the ground to be her most involved at the national carnival. She found space, presented well and also applied terrific pressure at ground level, with her quick first few metres able to earn her space on the lead during the third term and slotted a goal. It was just reward for the Bushrangers’ top-ager who shortly before set up Mia Smith-Clark with a goal. Lively throughout the four quarters.

#5 Ava Bilyk (Geelong Falcons)
Midfielder/Forward | 169cm | 07/07/2008

Stats: 28 disposals, 3 marks, 5 tackles, 6 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s

Looms large as likely to do the MVP double between the Under 16s and Under 18s, Bilyk was best-on yet again for Vic Country in defeat. She was fierce around the stoppages and always looked to get active and creative when bursting through traffic. Her release by hand was fantastic and the top-age Falcons talent also added as much defensive heat as she did offensive impact. She set up Dillow with her second goal of the day thanks to a well-weighted pass, and continued to be impactful with ball in hand going forward, as well as ducking back to assist the defence.

#9 Beth Morris (Bendigo Pioneers)
Forward/Midfielder | 167cm | 09/04/2008

Stats: 19 disposals, 2 marks, 3 tackles, 1 inside 50, 2 rebound 50s

Morris has been developing greater versatility in her game through the national championships and the Bendigo Pioneers’ midfielder spent the bulk of her time forward, but still had the work rate to push up the ground and have an impact. Her kicking let her down at times, but her clean hands through traffic was a highlight in her game. She found plenty of the ball considering she wa outside her number one spot, but was not too fazed under pressure.

#10 Grace Dillow (Gippsland Power)
Forward | 164cm | 03/06/2008

Stats: 6 disposals, 1 mark, 2 tackles, 1 clearance, 2 goals

Another player who has essentially been a full-time forward throughout the national championships, Dillow made the most of limited chances with a couple of goals in the first 25 minutes to get her side off to the perfect start. Both came from set shots, one from a push in the back free kick and the other from a nice mark, and while she did not have a lot of involvements after that, still buzzed around.

#14 Lacey Nihill (Bendigo Pioneers)
Wing | 172cm | 05/01/2008

Stats: 13 disposals, 2 marks, 3 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

Nihill has played just about every role under the sun, but the wing is where she has settled for Vic Country. Her ability to spread and stretch the ground, finding space and getting involved with her two-way running, enables her to not only find the ball, but have an impact. She is a fierce player who can win her own ball, and is not afraid to tuck it under her arm and go for a run such as in the final term when she took a couple of bounces down the wing and delivered forward effectively.

#17 Greea McKeegan (Geelong Falcons)
Wing/Forward | 176cm | 15/12/2008

Stats: 15 disposals, 2 marks, 3 tackles, 3 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

McKeegan continues to show signs at different points within matches, and while still developing consistency within games, has natural athletic traits and some neat footy tricks. She is quick and clean by hand and boasts a long kick which can break down opposition defensive zones, which helps her both the high half-forward or wing roles. Had seven of her 15 touches in the first term with a fast start helping her side get off on the right foot.

#18 Georgia Garlick (Bendigo Pioneers)
Defender | 170cm | 07/01/2008

Stats: 11 disposals, 2 marks, 6 tackles, 1 inside 50, 3 rebound 50s

Not as prolific as her last game and constantly under pressure which did result in a few more errors by foot, Garlick always brings the defensive pressure and desperation required for a back. She will take the game on and use her usually damaging left boot to pierce those risky corridor kicks, and while they did not always pan out in the game, she continued to go back to the well and use her footy smarts and voice to direct others out of the defensive 50.

#21 Olivia Holmes (Gippsland Power)
Midfielder/Forward | 174cm | 08/08/2009

Stats: 13 disposals, 1 mark, 3 tackles, 3 inside 50s

The bottom-ager returned to the side after another big outing with Gippsland Power and had her moments between the midfield – where she predominantly started each quarter – and pushing forward. Her sidestep, evasion and quick hands assist in extracting the ball from stoppages, and though not credited with a clearance, was still able to get involved around the coalface to work the ball into space.

#24 Milly Shortal (GWV Rebels)
Tall Defender | 175cm | 24/06/2008

Stats: 12 disposals, 9 tackles, 1 clearance, 2 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s

The powerful left-footer played her best game of the championships because she pushed up the ground and really put pressure on the opposition defence. At ground level she was tenacious, winning free kicks for her tackles, while also covering the ground well. Gains plenty of metres through her kicking, and seemed to be far more effective both in decision and accuracy by foot against the Sandgropers.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA:

#4 Lucy Gilbey (Claremont)
Wing/Defender | 166cm | 08/06/2009

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

An athletic talent, Gilbey looked to create run from the back half of the ground and played the wing role well by impacting on both ends. Her fundamentals at times could use work, but her repeat efforts and ability to compete even when undersized is admirable. The Claremont bottom-ager has a quick hand to foot action and even if not precise with her kicks, usually puts them into advantageous areas for her teammates.

#6 Charli Bassett (East Perth)
Midfielder | 156cm | 19/11/2008

Stats: 14 disposals, 6 tackles, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50, 1 goal

A rinse and repeat effort from Bassett who once again defines the word ‘effort’. She never shies away from a contest, and while not big in stature, she is huge in heart. Her willingness to put her body on the line, cop the hits and find a way to extract it where possible always helps her team, and though not as prolific around the stoppages in the game, made the most of her moment when winning a free kick and a 50-metre penalty, then delivering from the goalsquare to put Western Australia in front late in the fourth quarter.

#8 Charlie Fletcher (Peel Thunder)
Midfielder | 167cm | 04/02/2009

Stats: 11 disposals, 1 mark, 6 tackles, 1 clearance, 5 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

Supported Bassett with the pressure around the contest and continually worked hard defensively, while still getting her running game going in moments. Her tackling is not only fierce but on repeat and she does not stop until either her teammate or the umpire collects the ball. Has the athletic traits which catch the eye – in particular a slick sidestep – and usually impacted the game with her touches going forward.

#11 Summer Ajduk (Swan Districts)
Wing | 171cm | 12/11/2008

Stats: 15 disposals, 2 marks, 3 tackles, 1 inside 50

The Swan Districts top-ager started like a house on fire racking up a team-high nine disposals in the first quarter. She was quieter after that – such is the life of a wing – but she didn’t stop running hard to get into ball-winning positions. While her kicking can be a little hit and miss at times, she has great repeat efforts and when she cleared it out of defence to the wing, was then able to push up the ground and win a handball and dish off accordingly, adding an extra number to the stoppage.

#15 Cara Dziegielewski (West Perth)
Ruck | 182cm | 19/04/2008

Stats: 16 disposals, 1 mark, 3 tackles, 26 hitouts, 2 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s

It was unsurprisigngly a big game from the reigning All-Australian ruck and likely back-to-back All-Australian ruck with Dziegielewski further staking her case for her state’s MVP in the process. Her ruck work was terrific, and got first hands to it often, and also got involved around the ground. Dziegielewski is a lovely user for a player of her size, and that coupled with her athleticism is why she is so highly touted. Had a quieter third term but otherwise was constantly involved in transitional plays which was great to see.

#16 Caitlin Boss (Subiaco)
Forward | 164cm | 07/12/2010

Stats: 13 disposals, 4 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 1 goal

The eventual match-winner with her fourth term goal, Boss bobbed up throughout the match and showed some nice clean skills in traffic and a willingness to work hard defensively as well. When it came to her moment, she took it with both hands, able to win it inside 50 and keep stride to slot the goal and seal the win. A name to remember for the 2028 AFLW Draft.

#17 Lexi Strachan (West Perth)
Midfielder | 169cm | 30/09/2008

Stats: 19 disposals, 1 mark, 9 tackles, 9 clearances, 3 inside 509s, 4 rebound 50s, 2 behinds

The National Academy member built on a promising game two to be best-on for Western Australia in game three and produce a massive clearance effort across the board. Strachan racked up a game-high nine clearances and showed her strength and power out of stoppages, as well as looking to inflict maximum damage with her kick penetration. Though her couple of chances on goal missed, there was not too much to fault in her game, having played a really consistent brand across four quarters even copping bumps and bouncing back quickly.

#26 Mia Carlshausen (Perth)
Defender | 171cm | 10/04/2008

Stats: 13 disposals, 4 marks, 3 tackles, 2 clearances, 1 inside 50, 3 rebound 50s

The ever-reliable defender is right up there with Dziegielewski when it comes to consistency through the national carnival, and while her numbers were a touch lower, her impact certainly wasn’t. She is the conductor out of the back half, directing traffic and organising the troops, while also having the wherewithal to remain accountable to her direct opponent. She took some nice marks, drove the ball from danger and showed off elite footy IQ by identifying Bilyk as the most dangerous opposition player at the forward stoppage so ensured she watched her like a Hawk.

#31 Beatrice Crane (Subiaco)
Tall Defender | 176cm | 28/06/2010

Stats: 12 disposals, 2 marks, 4 rebound 50s

The double bottom-ager came in for her first game of the national carnival and was not overawed, using the ball efficiently out of the back half. Filling a similar role to her namesake Olivia – not related – from last year, the right-footed Crane was clean at ground level and in the air. Looks a prospect in a couple of years time and has the flexibility to play on talls or smalls.

#33 Hannah Seaborn (Claremont)
Forward/Midfielder | 177cm | 16/04/2009

Stats: 10 disposals, 11 tackles, 3 clearances, 1 inside 50, 2 goals

While Seaborn is known for her strength, it was more at groundlevel in the air, as the tall forward laid double-digit tackles in a terrific performance. She didn’t even take a mark but was one of the best for the Sangropers, making the most of her chances up forward by delivering two goals. The tall also got to start on-ball in the final term and won the first centre clearance going forward, showcasing her knack to play any type of role required of her. Has that crafty edge about her to face Carmela Perri when the free kick was to Bassett in the last term, resulting in the Country defender throwing the ball in her direction and giving away a 50-metre penalty leading to the match-winning goal.

#40 Niah Catto (Perth)
Forward | 164cm | 28/05/2009

Stats: 8 disposals, 3 tackles, 1 clearance, 2 inside 50s, 2 goals

Catto is the perfect exampled of how it might not be your match, but it can be your moment, and for the Perth bottom-ager, it was two moments. She only had one disposal in the first half – limited for chances inside 50 – but quickly came alive with seven disposals and two goals in the second half. Her back-to-back majors in the fourth term turned the game in Western Australia’s favour and when not kicking them, she has a nice burst and clean hands to go with her footy smarts.