IN the latest edition of our WAFL Women’s State scouting notes for Round 9 of the 2023 season, we highlighted 11 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.

STANDOUTS:

#7 Georgie Cleaver (East Fremantle)

The AFLW Academy member played her most consistent four-quarter performance of the year, largely through the ruck and resting forward. She took on talented opponent Matilda Dyke and took home the spoils, using her athleticism and endurance to work well around the ground. She found plenty of the pill and was able to clear the ball from the stoppages down the ground, getting first hands to the ball more often than not when in the middle.

#38 Zippy Fish (East Fremantle)

East Fremantle largely had forward half possession for the first half, so Fish was not required as much, though did still win her fair share of the ball when it came in her direction. Always looking to break the lines, the talented bottom-age equally provided good pressure and was clean when required. Her composure in the heat of the battle really shone and looked comfortable on the big ground.

#16 Ella Slocombe (Claremont)

Her 2023 campaign rolled on with another eye-catching display, kicking off with the first goal of the game from a handball receive and burst inside 50 to slot a goal on the run. She continued to provide plenty of run and looked to break the lines every chance she got, even having a two-bounce run late in the first term, and early in the fourth, but unfortunately was run down by Sharon Wong in the latter situation. Overall a really impressive game from the Claremont top-ager.

#36 Mackenzie Webb (Claremont)

The defender’s form from the previous weekend’s national carnival carried into another week, doing well against her state skipper, Raison. Whenever opposed, Webb used her key strength of one-on-ones and reading the ball in flight to best use, and got in a spoil or took the mark. She found enough of the ball herself as well, used as a switch option out of defence.

OTHERS:

Natasha Entwistle was solid across the board, producing a huge tackle on Dyke early in the match and showed good technique with her kicking. Entwistle’s defensive pressure was particularly a highlight. Forward Anjelique Raison kicked a clever goal off a step late in the second term but was otherwise well held by Webb in the match. Eva O’Donnell also had some nice moments for the Tigers, competing well inside 50 and working hard up and down the ground off the wing.

STANDOUTS:

#2 Eva Popovsky (Subiaco)

Played her best game of the year stepping up into the midfield and looking very comfortable. Her clean hands around the stopapges and strength in close was impressive, and she can deliver low bullets with her kicks. She has a few tricks that are better showcased in the midfield, and hopefully she can maintain those minutes in there as a switch was flicked for her stepping into that role.

#29 Madison Dodd (Subiaco)

Bringing the pressure once again and being able to find her own ball all around the ground, Dodd ran hard across four quarters. She was strong and relatively clean, putting her body on teh line when required and firing off quick handballs to teammates on the run. Her kicking is an area that can improve, but her tackling pressure and pressure acts were very good.

#40 Olivia Wolmarans (Subiaco)

After getting a taste for League action earlier in the season, Wolmarans gained more confidence at the AFLW Under 16s carnival, and came back in her best possible form. She clunked a number of impressive gras and converted a couple of set shots to be the most potent forward on the ground. Wolmarans is capable of working up the ground as well and is a clear marking targets for her teammates.

OTHERS:

Double bottom-ager Olivia Crane was her usual impressive self, just having a number of nice plays, particularly when it came to her decision making and execution. Charlotte Newland also played in the match having a few touches and being involved in passages.

STANDOUTS:

#2 Evie Cowcher (Peel Thunder)

The Under 16s All-Australian was reliable and strong in defence, taking a number of strong grabs and critically providing spoils at opportune times. Though Cowcher made a poor decision to take on Courtney Zappara when kicking out resulting in a turnover and a goal, she generally did well to clear the area time and time again in what was a tough day for the Thunder defence. Still has areas to develop within her defensive game, but is not afraid to stand up against stronger opponents.

#11 Jaime Henry (Swan Districts)

Henry returned from state duties to again take up the main role in the midfield, but with plenty of support around her now, is able to play a feeding role in close, then spread to the outside when required. Her decision making is superb, she is clean in traffic and puts her body on the line. Equally capable to winning it in the air as she is at ground level. A ray of consistency all year and that continued on the weekend with another industrious performance.

OTHERS:

Peel Thunder had a stack of state representatives running around, with AFLW Academy member Kaitlyn Srhoj finding her fair share of the ball through the midfield. Dakota Sexton and Holly Britton provided a few neat plays, while Kate Newson used her height to advantage in the ruck.