WOODVILLE-WEST Torrens are basking in premiership glory after defeating Norwood in the 2026 SANFL Women’s Grand Final. The Eagles’ State Academy representatives were outstanding in the victory, all contributing in some way, while the Redlegs youngsters had various moments, albeit in quieter respective displays. This marks the last South Australian State Academy notes for the year.

All notes are the opinion of the individual author.

WOODVILLE-WEST TORRENS:

#4 Julia Faulkner (Forward/Midfielder)

Stats: 18 disposals, 1 mark, 5 tackles, 3 inside 50s

Faulkner started forward and as usual covered plenty of ground to push up the field and have an impact around the ball. Her clean and quick hands, natural footy smarts and tenacious defensive pressure were all on show as she went about her business in a typically industrious fashion. Looked like kicking a goal in the final term with just a few near misses either outside her range or with immense pressure, but did well to lock the ball in the front half on a number of occasions.

#7 Maia Freemantle (Midfielder)

Stats: 22 disposals, 4 marks (3 contested), 4 tackles, 4 clearances, 3 inside 50s

Arguably next best on-field behind the medal winner Klaudia O’Neill, Freemantle took the bragging rights in teh battle of the potential top five bottom-agers from South Australia. She went head-to-head with Cocks for a fair chunk, and was exceptional not just around the stoppage, but in the aerial contest, clunking all three of her contested marks in the first half including a nice leap over Emily Bartsch on the wing. Would have completed her game with a goal after winning it from an O’Neill pass but her teammate’s creative handball out of the ruck was deemed a throw.

#15 Lucy Moore (Midfielder/Forward)

Stats: 20 disposals, 1 mark, 3 tackles, 6 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

Another busy player who capped off a really consistent season, Moore’s ability to impact in repeat possessions has noticeably improved throughout the season. While her burst speed and ability to win clearances has always been there, now she is breaking clear, kicking forward then continuing that burst to work into space to be an option. Lost the ball in the sun in one instance in the first term when she could have marked, but set up the first goal to O’Neill with a terrific pass while under pressure. Was enormous in the first half with 14 of her 20 touches coming then.

#22 Anika Tran (Forward)

Stats: 9 disposals, 2 clearances, 1 inside 50, 1 goal

It’s incredible to think that a 149cm 15-year-old would play in a SANFL Women’s League side let alone make an impact, but the explosive Tran has been doing that since coming into the team. Forget the height, her footy IQ, skills, speed and evasion are all elite, and she had her moment when breaking from a forward stoppage to nail a goal off her trusty left, leaving opponents in the furst. So clean and one of those players you come to the footy to watch.

#33/#9 Kayla Ilett (Midfielder/Forward)

Stats: 17 disposals, 2 marks, 2 tackles, 5 clearances, 1 inside 50, 1 rebound 50, 2 goals

Ilett saved her best SANFLW game for last with the bottom-aged Northern Territory prospect becoming a premiership player. Though she came into the side as a forward, Ilett has spent significant time through the middle in recent weeks to provide another bigger body at stoppages – enabling the likes of Ruby Lynch to be a target inside 50 – and she noy only found her fair share of clearances, but also hit the scoreboard with two majors. Her first came from a regulation lead out of full-forward in the absence of O’Neill, then her second was another set shot off a free kick which was ultimately the sealer.

#36 Ruby Lynch (Tall Utility)

Stats: 12 disposals, 5 marks (2 contested), 6 tackles, 5 hitouts, 3 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50, 1 goal

Spent the bulk of her time up forward and then dropping back if Norwood began to get a run on, Lynch’s aerial abilities were on show with a series of strong grabs. At ground level she provided a ferocious presence, and while her numbers weren’t huge by any means, her dozen touches felt like 20 with the way she was able to impact. Snapped a great goal from 30 metres out to make it a 26-point lead during the third term before being rotated behind the ball during red time, showcasing her versatility.

NORWOOD:

#8 Lani Cocks (Midfielder/Forward)

Stats: 16 disposals, 1 mark, 3 tackles, 2 clearances, 3 inside 50s

Cocks’ ability is something special when she can be one of the best Redlegs and still be considered quiet by her own standards. She had a quieter first half, but still had her moments of brilliance including clean hands out of a stoppage and working to multiple contests getting it from the defensive 50 to half-forward. Her third term saw Cocks spend more time forward of centre and then roll into the middle, having a few half chances around the big sticks. While she almost added one or two majors to her name, she was ultimately kept closely watched by and Eagles side well aware of what she is capable of on her day.

#14 Kate Alexander (Forward/Ruck)

Stats: 2 disposals, 2 tackles, 9 hitouts, 1 clearance

Unfortunately for Alexander, predominantly playing full-forward in a side that did not get a lot of deep entries or forward 50 marks meant she did not get her hands on it too often. She presented well out of attack, and when moved into the ruck won some valuable hitouts, but ultimately did not get many chances to trouble the scorers. Never stopped trying though and has certainly found a secondary role in attack.

#21 Elke Cameron (Midfielder/Forward)

Stats: 9 disposals, 1 mark, 2 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

Cameron had a quiet first half with just the few possessions to start the game, though she did set up a scoring chance to Sophie Arkun early in the second term. She had a much busier third term where she won th bulk of her disposals, including putting the ball into dangerous positions forward of centre. Another who kept working without too many rewards. A good top-age season at state level.

#24 Ella Anderson (Defender)

Stats: 8 disposals, 3 tackles, 1 clearance, 1 rebound 50

The double bottom-ager was constantly under pressure coming out of the back half and like many of her teammates, had a quiet opening first few quarters before collecting half of her disposals in the fourth term. She often had to just dump the ball down the field for distance, but her decision making and composure with any time and space allowed her to put it into positions where teammate could try and make the best of it.

#37 Mia Wood (Wing)

Stats: 10 disposals, 3 marks (2 contested), 2 clearances, 2 inside 50s

Wood’s puple patch came late in tteh second term where she won a stack of touches in quick succession to head into half-time with the seven disposals. She was clean and agile in the contest, and while one kick got turned over, when it came back she scrapped at ground level to win it back and dish off. Moments earlier, Wood took a couple of bounces on teh wing, kicked forward and that kick lead to Steph Simmonds‘ goal off the hands of Nicola Burns.