RISING young talent Cher Waters has taken a more traditional pathway to the State Under 18s squad, but her move into the midfield for Woodville-West Torrens has particularly paid dividends. Having transformed from a defender into a midfielder at League level, Waters credits new Eagles coach Narelle Smith for her development, to the point where she earned midfield minutes for the State Under 18s side against Western Australia yesterday, running off a wing.

“It’s great, I love playing in the midfield,” Waters said. “I get a lot more touches on the ball. “A lot more involved in the game because last year I played in the backs. “I liked it, but I prefer playing that running role in the midfield and out wide on the wing. It’s really good, it’s really enjoyable, and I really enjoy Narelle as a coach, she’s really helped me improve and she’s just always encouraging and it’s great, I love it.”

Waters initially grew up playing country football alongside the boys like many of her peers. After representing her state in Under 15s school footy, she then earned the call-up to the Eagles’ squad for that age group. To avoid the long trips to the state’s capital, Waters relocated to Adelaide where she boarded at Immanuel College, and started playing for SMOSH West Lakes alongside the Eagles in 2020. In 2021, Waters graduated into the Eagles’ League side, and has been a strong part of the midfield setup under Smith.

A member of the Port Adelaide Next Generation Academy, Waters is looking to impress next week on Adelaide Oval against Vic Country. Having missed out on the rare SANFL Women’s fixture at the premier venue last year, Waters is keen to make the most of her opportunity that will no doubt have plenty of recruiters eyes on her ahead of this year’s AFLW Draft.

“I’m so excited to play on Adelaide Oval,” Waters said. “I’ve never played, at the SANFL last year I was injured so missed out on the game there, so I’m keen to get a game there. “I’m hoping to play for an AFLW club, mainly for the Crows but if another club picks me up, that would be great. I just really want to play top level footy.”

Waters describes her strengths as her decision making under pressure, and efficiency by foot to hit targets. On the flip side, the Eagles midfielder is looking to improve her aerial ability and ground balls. She said the win over Western Australia at Thebarton Oval was “great”.

“WA did well, we were obviously the stronger side and we all worked together really well as a team, and our fundamentals were great,” Waters said.

Whilst she was involved in a captain’s run on Saturday morning for the State Under 18s squad, Waters’ Eagles were having an impressive win, snapping a six-game losing streak to topple finals hopefuls Norwood.

“Yeah that was great, I was so proud of the girls considering we had a few players out,” Waters said. “They held their ground and they must have played really well. Haven’t watched it yet, but I’m very proud of them, all the hard work’s paying off and showing on the scoreboard and the results we’re getting.”

Waters also has a number of inspirations she looks up to both close to home, and at the elite level, with her brother and Adelaide’s Chelsea Randall two who stand out in her mind.

“When I first started, probably my friends and my brother because I really looked up to him,” Waters said. “He obviously played footy and I wanted to, so he’s one of my main inspirations for footy.

“I look up to Chelsea Randall. “I find she’s a really great player, she’s so strong in the aerial marks and just fundamentals. She’s just really good, I’ve always been a fan of her.”

South Australia takes on Vic Country next Saturday at Adelaide Oval from 1:10pm local time.