IN the latest edition of our WAFL Women’s scouting notes for Round 6 of the 2023 season, we highlighted eight players across the four games who stood out as either current or prior members of the 2022/23 WAFLW State Academies, while mentioning others who also showed signs in their respective matches.

STANDOUT:

#29 Madison Dodd (Subiaco)

The versatile utility’s form this season has been incredibly consistent and she had another strong day out with 17 disposals, three marks and two tackles. A fierce competitor who can just get to the right spots and crack in, she earned a call-up to the State Academy program ahead of the Black Ducks’ clash with South Australia on April 30.

OTHERS:

Olivia Crane was again impressive recording 13 disposals, three marks and laying five tackles, while top-age State Academy call-up Eva Popovsky was lively. for the Royals, Holly Gill had 11 hitouts from four disposals.

STANDOUTS:

#38 Zippy Fish (East Fremantle)

The talented bottom-ager played an incredible game in a best on ground effort off half-back. She dictated play and ran around with little attention which would have been a nice change. Fish had a number of impressive moments which included spoiling a mark, stepping inside a couple of opponents then hitting a target inside 50. She provided run and carry and always looked to impact in transition going forward.

#33 Anjelique Raison (East Fremantle)

The key forward/ruck was the subject of our WAFL Women’s Player Focus for the week after 16 disposals, seven marks, five inside 50s and two goals. Raison clunked plenty of strong grabs and provided pressure around the ball, setting up the Sharks’ win in the first half with her two majors including one after the half-time siren.

>> ANJELIQUE RAISON PLAYER FOCUS

#2 Evie Cowcher (Peel Thunder)

It was not her best game given she rarely had the time and space she has been afforded at points through the season, but she still looked classy in the defensive 50. She ran out of the back half on a number of occasions and was her typical self with her aerial dominant. She turned the ball over a little more than she normally would, but had the highlights that certainly caught the eye.

OTHERS:

Kaitlyn Srhoj tried hard in front of home fans, picking up 14 disposals and providing some run, while Dakota Sexton (10 disposals, five tackles) was productive. Holly Britton copped a knock in a big tackle but returned later for a total of five disposals in the front half of the ground rolling into the middle, while Kate Newson (two disposals, 10 hitouts) had a tough job in the ruck.

The Sharks had another couple of State Academy members in the match, with debutant Tayah Palmer kicking a goal off the deck in the goalsquare late in the match, but had some lively moves on her way to 12 disposals, two marks and three tackles. Natasha Entwistle contributed 10 disposals and two tackles, while over-ager Mylee Leitch came off injured after five disposals.

STANDOUTS:

#16 Ella Slocombe (Claremont)

The top-age forward continued her form from the All-Stars can to kick two majors in the second half, including the game-sealer six minutes into the last quarter off a nice shrug and burst forward. She had a couple more chances close to goal but was brought down, though her clean hands at ground level and defensive pressure when required stood out inside 50.

#33 Molly O’Hehir (South Fremantle)

O’Hehir remains a dangerous player in moments, and once she can gain some continuity and string games together without injury, she will be very impressive. She provided run in the front half of the ground for the Bulldogs, competed hard in the air and was clan at ground level. O’Hehir is building nicely ahead of the AFLW Under 18 Championships after 11 disposals and three marks in the loss to Claremont.

OTHERS:

Claremont’s Eva O’Donnell did not repeat her effort from Round 4, but still brought defensive pressure en route to six disposals and four tackles, while double bottom-ager Juliet Kelly had 11 disposals off half-back. South Fremantle small forward Noa McNaughton was dangerous inside 50 and booted a goal on the run in the final term, finishing with eight disposals and three tackles.

STANDOUTS:

#11 Jaime Henry (Swan Districts)

The clean and hard midfielder was among the best for Swan Districts across four quarters, starting behind the ball then mostly playing on-ball for the game. She accumulated her consistent 20 disposals, while laying four tackles and being a driving force in the Swans’ win. Her neat left foot was effective and her clean hands in congestion were on show.

#9 Kayla Van Den Heever (West Perth)

The 2022 West Australian representative really battled hard across four quarters and had a noticeable lift in intensity for the Round 6 clash. Though her execution is still a query, her attack on the contest and burst speed through traffic was very impressive. In particular, Van Den Heever’s ground coverage was far greater and she was able to win the ball in each third of the ground, cracking in at ground level.

OTHERS:

Swan Districts’ Lily Paterson kicked two goals in as many minutes in the final term to finish with 10 touches with her majors. Indiana West kicked a nice goal from 40m late in the match to make it nine disposals and five tackles for the game, while Tyla Fitzgerald had 13 disposals, six marks and five tackles, as well as goal after the quarter time siren.