WESTERN Australia held the Allies goalless in their AFL Women’s Under 18 Championships clash at Blacktown on the weekend as the Sandgropers romped to their first national carnival victory in 2023. We took note of some of the top performers from the match in our Scouting notes, with the opinion that of the individual author.

ALLIES:

#12 Olivia Morris (Pennant Hills/Swans Academy)
06/09/2005 | 165cm | Midfielder

The contested ball-winner cracked in across the four quarters and gave it her all, while dropping back to help her defence. though the Allies were ultimately overwhelmed around the ground, Morris was a prime mover on the inside as her team won the clearances. She only had the two, but was able to open up space for others to win it, and she laid four tackles to go with 17 disposals. Is that bonafide inside midfielder.

#13 Tatyana Perry (Palmerston Magpies/Northern Territory)
28/02/2006 | 170cm | Defender

Rolling back into her defensive role from game one, Perry showed her class time and time again on the last line. Under pressure she would have the composure to sidestep opponents and still deliver fairly well. Perry has a natural footy IQ that stands out on the field, and to go with her athleticism and skill, the Northern Territory talent will be a top-end talent for next year.

#17 Asha Turner Funk (Manly Warringah Wolves/Swans Academy)
29/04/2004 | 176cm | Midfielder

It was another consistent game from Turner Funk who battled away in the midfield all match. The big-bodied inside midfielder had three clearances and won the majority of her touches at ground level around the coalface. Though often under pressure, Turner Funk has a nice sidestep to evade opponents and when she creates space for herself can hit targets in transition.

#19 Cleo Buttifant (Ainslie/GIANTS Academy)
03/05/2005 | 174cm | Defender

The AFLW Draft bolter had another strong performance to go with her game one effort, collecting a team-high 18 disposals. She also clunked seven marks – two contested – and had four inside 50s to go with six rebound 50s. Her aggressive nature was on display, also winning a fair share of touches in congested situations. Her execution by foot can be hit and miss, but her athleticism, evasion and ability to read the play and intercept well stood out.

#27 Marnie Robinson (UTS Bats/Swans Academy)
08/06/2005 | 172cm | Defender

The Allies skipper could hold her head high battling away all day on the last line and trying to clear the ball time and time again. Often under siege with an overwhelming amount of inside 50s against her, Robinson thumped the ball out of danger. It was effective enough, as Robinson recorded 13 disposals and four rebound 50s. Outside her on-field traits, Robinson provided strong leadership for her side.

#31 Serina Baukes (UTS Bats/Swans Academy)
19/08/2005 | 171cm | Defender

Holding down the fort, Baukes played her best game of the championships, often opposed to Raison. She read the ball well in flight, and her first quarter in particular was outstanding, getting into the right spots and then running out of the back 50. She was not as involved after quarter time, with eight of her 11 disposals coming in the first 20 minutes, but she still had a number of one percenters.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA:

#1 Noa McNaughton (South Fremantle)
20/10/2006 | 158cm | Forward

The lively small provided plenty of skill and flair in the match, showcasing her ability to create goal scoring opportunities in the front half of the ground. McNaughton had an early chance via a snap off a step that missed, but soon took a strong mark and converted the long range set shot. She set up a goal to Raison on the lead in the second term, then also put it to both Anderson and Wolmarans’ on a platter. One of a number of exciting West Australian draft prospects for 2024.

#4 Zippy Fish (East Fremantle)
04/06/2006 | 160cm | Defender

Fish was sensational once again, not taking long to make an impact by finally hitting the scoreboard while those around her were missing. Cleanly winning it, she dashed forward at the 15-minute mark and made no mistake. To start the second quarter, Fish came out of the first clearance, burst away and set up a set shot to Raison with a pinpoint pass. She continued to show her burst speed throughout the match, including a two-bounce run down the wing in the third term. She pinpointed passes inside 50 and finished with 71.4 per cent kicking efficiency from 14 kicks – 21 disposals – seven marks and seven inside 50s.

#11 Madison Dodd (Subiaco)
11/03/2005 | 165cm | Forward/Midfielder

Playing forward and rotating further afield, Dodd stepped up to be among the more productive players on the ground. Her execution is an area to improve, but her work rate and ability to get into the right spots was what stood out. She kicked a couple of goals in the game and provided pressure on the scoreboard. Strong overhead and at ground level, Dodd also provided a level of aerial presence and transitioned the ball between the arcs.

#16 Evie Cowcher (Peel Thunder)
03/08/2007 | 173cm | Defender

The double bottom-ager was freed up to do as she pleased against the Allies, racking up 22 disposals, seven marks, three inside 50s and three rebound 50s. Her intercepting ability and composure under pressure was very nice, and she continually delivered the ball well, particularly to Fish at half-back to open up the angles down the corridor. Running hard all day, she was prolific and able to instigate scoring chains from the last line.

#23 Kaitlyn Srhoj (Peel Thunder)
10/07/2005 | 175cm | Midfielder

Racking up a game-high 24 disposals and nine marks in the win, Srhoj was everywhere across the ground, largely playing off a wing and roaming between the arcs well. She had a massive first term, collecting 10 disposals and four marks, while bringing pressure to match her offensive output. She set up a goal to McNaughton in the opening term and had a flying shot herself in the second term that missed. Overall she played arguably her best game of the season, with a consistent four-quarter effort.

#26 Mackenzie Webb (Claremont)
17/06/2004 | 174cm | Defender

The tall defender was again among the better Sandgropers, positioning herself well in front and in one-on-one contests. While she did well to win her individual battle, she also provided some nice run and carry from the defensive 50 forward, and finished with 14 disposals, five marks and six rebound 50s. Arguably the top mature-age prospect not in the AFLW at the moment, Webb has not done too much wrong this season.

#29 Molly O’Hehir (South Fremantle)
24/05/2006 | 176cm | Defender

Another bottom-ager who had a high impact-per-possession performance against the Allies. She only had the 15 touches, but also racked up five inside 50s and five rebound 50s. Her work to mop up in defence, burst away and hit targets was brilliant, and her clean hands both in the air and at ground level a standout aspect of her game. She has plenty of weapons and tricks in her arsenal, finishing the match with a kicking efficiency of 83.3 per cent. At 176cm, O’Hehir has already shown she can play anywhere with massive upside for the future.

#32 Olivia Wolmarans (Subiaco)
02/11/2007 | 180cm | Forward

Stepping up to the Under 18s level since being a goalscoring menace at the Under 16s carnival, Wolmarans kicked 2.2 from 12 disposals and three marks. She missed a chance she should have got from close range in the third term, but corrected it not long after by shrugging off an opponent in the goalsquare and kicking truly. Her second goal came from a mark at the top of the goalsquare later in the fourth quarter.

#35 Anjelique Raison (East Fremantle)
07/09/2005 | 181cm | Forward

The West Australian skipper had her moments across the four quarters, clunking four marks from 10 disposals, six hitouts, two clearances and a goal predominantly playing forward. Western Australia went with a taller lineup for the clash, which meant Raison was largely utilised inside 50, but also worked up the ground at times. No doubt her set shot from 15m out that hit the post early in the second quarter she would like back, but she made no mistake from a similar set shot on a tighter angle not long after. She set up a goal to Wolmarans in the fourth term with a well placed kick, and generally used the ball well.

#38 Rosie Anderson (South Fremantle)
05/05/2005 | 176cm | Forward

A late inclusion into the West Australian squad this year after spending the season at Rogers Cup level, Anderson kicked three goals in the win, two of which came in the second half. Her first was following a free kick after being tackled high, then the other two were from close range. A raw talent, Anderson has areas to work on, but was able to make the most of her chances close to goal with her three majors from nine disposals.