AFTER a long preseason, South Australia’s State Academy members were back in action as the first round of the SANFL Women’s competition took place over the weekend. For another year, each week we take a look at how each of the State Academy members performed across the four games.

WOODVILLE-WEST TORRENS:

#7 Maia Freemantle (Wing)

Stats: 12 disposals, 4 tackles, 1 clearance, 2 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

Making her SANFLW debut, Freemantle looked more than comfortable against senior bodies, primarily playing on the outside, and occasionally up against fellow State Academy member, Lily Smart. For a lighter bodied player, Freemantle applied great pressure to the opposition with her class and spacial awareness really standing out throughout the match.

#15 Lucy Moore (Midfielder)

Stats: 16 disposals, 5 tackles, 5 clearances, 3 inside 50, 2 rebound 50s, 1 goal

After getting a taste for it last season, the now bottom-age Moore grabbed her full-time midfield opportunity with both hands. She crashed and based her way around the clearance, showing no fear at winning the hard ball, and was equally capable of either fending off an opponent, breaking through a tackle or spinning out of trouble. Her standout play came when she gathered cleanly running towards goal off the intercept possession and slammed home a major from long-range with a brilliant finish.

#22 Imogen Trengove (Forward)

Stats: 15 disposals, 1 mark, 5 tackles, 2 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

Trengove has the capacity to play across all three lines, and though she had her opportunities movies further afield, she predominantly was most lively in the forward half. She was more often than not very clean at ground level, with usually one takes or able to win it and dish off very quickly. She was arguably best on ground at quarter time, and while she did not find as much of it as the game went on, still had her eye-catching moments.

#36 Ruby Lynch (Forward)

Stats: 4 disposals, 2 marks, 1 tackle, 2 hitouts, 1 inside 50

Despite being earmarked as an athletic defender, the 181cm Lynch found herself in attack where she had some ‘almost’ moments. Though she dropped her first marking attempt, she clunked a couple after that with one memorable play coming in the second term where she intercepted the ball at half-forward and burst away. Raw, but has great potential.

STURT:

#4 Summer Ross (Forward)

Stats: 3 disposals, 2 tackles

It was a quiet day for the former wing who found herself in a new role up forward. Limited for opportunities, she only had a few touches, but did work hard up the ground such as midway through the last where she held a high line to win it at half-forward and cleanly dish off. Applied good defensive pressure as well.

#16 Monique Bessen (Midfielder/Forward)

Stats: 18 disposals, 5 marks (1 contested), 3 tackles, 1 clearance, 5 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 2 behinds

While Bessen has had more influential games, she always just has those moments that make you sit up and take note. A high impact-per-possession player, she found the ball all over the ground and her hands and vision are simply elite. She had an unusual moment where after marking it went to kick it and dropped it in her action to do so, but was able to recover well. She had a couple of shots on goal that missed, but it was her hands and cleanliness that really shone on the day in hot conditions.

#17 Sophie Thredgold (Defender/Midfielder)

Stats: 7 disposals, 1 mark, 6 tackles, 3 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

The hard-running defender got her chance through the middle at times and gained some valuable experience against strong opposition such as Poppy Waterford. Though not able to rack up big numbers herself, she showed some nice power and speed around the stoppages and did the same in defence. She had a number of good intercepts behind the ball as well. Her defensive work stood out.

#26 Lily Smart (Wing)

Stats: 5 disposals, 4 tackles, 1 clearance, 3 inside 50s

Another debutant in the match, Smart was coming off a Sturt Development League Best and Fairest last year. She ran hard up and down the ground, though for little individual reward. Has some seriously strong athletic traits and almost had a goal assist to her name had Molly Fletcher‘s shot not hit the post, with Smart still developing her overall profile.

SOUTH ADELAIDE:

#19 Taya Maxwell (Midfielder/Ruck)

Stats: 24 disposals, 4 marks (1 contested), 2 tackles, 8 hitouts, 6 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

What a memorable first-up game it was from Maxwell who really emphasised how hard she has worked over the off-season to not only be a chop out ruck or tall forward, but have the capacity to play as an inside midfielder. She is so hard to quell given her size and strength, and she not only won her fair share of clearances, but also worked to the outside and often sat a kick behind play where she could intercept and then drive the ball forward with her raking boot. Maxwell did her best work at the stoppages when she could use her strength, or scrap for it at ground level.

#20 Layla Vizgaudis (Midfielder/Forward)

Stats: 22 disposals, 6 marks, 5 tackles, 2 clearances, 5 inside 50s

As classy as they come, Vizgaudis was able to move through traffic gracefully and always find pockets of space with which to work. If given any time and space, Vizgaudis can punish opponents with her ball use inside 50, and she is quite strong overhead for her size. While her execution at top speed can be an area of improvement, she has a fierce attack on the opposition and ball, not afraid to crack in and win a contest before getting outside and using her slick skills and smarts.

#25 Emma Charlton (Forward/Midfielder)

Stats: 21 disposals, 3 marks, 9 tackles, 4 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 1 goal

After being solid in the first half with some nice highlights, Charlton went to another level in the second half and was arguably best afield in that second half after Maxwell was that in the first. She crunched opponents with some fierce tackles, rotated into the middle and looked dangerous when closer to goal. She set up several scoring opportunities and capped off her night with a slick sidestep to kick a goal from close range. Still adapting to some awareness elements – such as handballing to Maxwell inside 50 after a mark while her teammate was under pressure – but she was sensational for the majority of the night.

#56 Lily Baxter (Wing/Forward)

Stats: 15 disposals, 7 marks, 2 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 1 goal

With the big numbers from her younger teammates, Baxter almost flew a little under the radar, but still had a very good game. She ran from the wing to attack, spending time in both and then kicking a crucial goal in the fourth term to ice the match. At times she had defensive roles such as on Kiana Lee, and at others she got free to use her high running capacity, delivering sizzling passes in transition.

#60 Marley Tape (Defender)

Stats: 7 disposals, 1 mark (1 contested), 1 tackle, 3 rebound 50s

The youngest of the South Adelaide contingent, the Under 16s squad member made her debut coming out of defence and tried to put herself on a poster with a very night specky over her opponent in the middle of the ground. That highlight aside, Tape showed some nice speed and set up teammates forward of centre too.

NORWOOD:

#14 Kate Alexander (Ruck)

Stats: 3 disposals, 5 tackles, 12 hitouts, 1 clearance

The sole State Academy member in the match for the Redlegs, Alexander had a tough day out against both Maxwell and Soriah Moon. Alexander had support from Georgie Jaques, but would have taken a lot away from taking one of the best – if not the best – rucks in the competition. When given the opportunity to jump, Alexander had the advantage and she was happy to battle away at ground level too.

CENTRAL DISTRICT:

#3 Miyu Endersby (Defender)

Stats: 8 disposals, 3 marks (1 contested), 3 tackles, 2 hitouts, 1 inside 50, 4 rebound 50s

The athletic key defender did a great job on the talented Eloise Mackereth, nullifying the Glenelg forward’s best asset – her marking – thanks to the extra centimetre’s she had both in height and reach. Her defensive pressure was equally good and she had a number of great acts that won’y get a stat but still limited her opponent’s impact.

#12 Sophie Eaton (Midfielder)

Stats: 25 disposals, 4 marks, 6 tackles, 3 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

Producing career-best numbers at SANFL Women’s straight off the bat in 2025, Eaton starred in her first full-time midfield gig at the Bulldogs. Having plied her trade as a wing/forward, she stepped up to the plate on the inside with her smarts, skills and hurt factor. To read about Eaton’s full performance in detail, check out her Player Focus.

>> 2025 SANFLW Player Focus: Sophie Eaton

#31 Tara Lord (Utility)

Stats: 6 disposals, 3 marks (1 contested), 4 tackles, 1 hitout, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50

The bottom-ager kept bobbing up all across the field, starting by playing in the defensive half of the ground, then pushing forward to get involved in scoring transition and even rotating on-ball. She finished playing deep in attack and had a clever outside of the boot kick going inside 50 to a danger spot late in the match.

GLENELG:

#6 Georgie Fielder (Midfielder)

Stats: 25 disposals, 1 mark, 2 tackles, 6 clearances, 1 inside 50, 3 rebound 50s

Taking over the drafted Violet Patterson‘s number, another well-balanced, talented prospect showed shades of Patterson in her work around the ball. Fielder spent the majority of her time at the coalface then rotated outside to win the ball in each third of the ground. She is clean at ground level and smart with ball in hand, often looking to burst through congestion to create scoring opportunities for her side. She has composure to change her mind midway through an action and with more time will only get better.

#9 Eloise Mackereth (Forward)

Stats: 8 disposals, 1 mark, 3 tackles, 1 inside 50, 2 behinds

Mackereth had Endersby for company throughout the match and found the matchup a tough one to handle. To her credit after a quieter first half – and very limited opportunities, Mackereth worked up the ground to find more of the ball and had a couple of chances for two behinds. She lifted her work rate and while not able to put one through the big sticks, continued to present on the lead.

#11 Jordan Horne (Forward)

Stats: 4 disposals, 2 marks (1 contested), 2 tackles, 1 inside 50, 1 goal

Made the most of her limited chances by setting up Glenelg’s first goal via a clever tap to Tamsyn Morriss and kicking one of her own. The latter came after positioning herself well in a one-on-one to protect the drop zone at the top of the goalsquare from a quick kick out of a stoppage. She almost had a shot to forget from 15m out hitting the post, before being awarded a 25m penalty – taking her to the goalline for her opponent overstepping the mark and she corrected with a goal.

#19 Matilda Wilmore (Forward)

Stats: 4 disposals, 1 tackle

A quiet day from the tenacious Tiger who like the other Glenelg forwards, had limited chances. She applied great defensive pressure even if not rewarded with tackles, and kept presenting throughout the match.

#33 Tessa Davis (Defender)

Stats: 24 disposals, 4 marks (2 contested), 2 tackles, 2 clearances, 14 rebound 50s

The top-age debutant had a massive debut with the penetrating left-footer looking more like she was in her 100th game milestone. Her composure and ability to read the play was top notch, and though she might make the odd error by foot, her technique remained the same which meant more often than not she hit targets consistently. Davis’ ability to drive the ball long down the line cleared the danger, and she was equally competitive in the air or at ground level. Glenelg have found another top prospect here.

WEST ADELAIDE:

#3 Lucy Waye (Forward)

Stats: 15 disposals, 2 marks, 4 tackles, 2 clearances, 5 inside 50s

Playing that high half-forward role, Waye really lifted her pressure a notch to open the season, with her four tackles not indicative of just how much work rate she put into her running. Though a touch fumbly at times, once she had it she was able to burst away and put the ball into dangerous positions, with her drive between midfield and attack a point of difference compared to others.

#4 Emily Mableson (Defender/Midfielder)

Stats: 14 disposals, 2 marks, 4 tackles, 3 clearances, 1 inside 50, 2 rebound 50s

The reigning South Australian Under 16s MVP was solid throughout the match rotating between defence and midfield. Her hands were clean and she looked to make quick decisions when under pressure, not looking too flustered when under pressure. She cruised off half-back to begin scoring chains and while she made the odd error, always worked hard to win the ball back for her side. One to watch throughout 2025.

#14 Chloe Tonkin (Forward)

Stats: 8 disposals, 1 mark, 3 hitouts, 1 clearance

Hampered by what looked like a sore ankle during the second term, Tonkin returned after coming off and while she did not find a heap of it, produced the match-winning goal play with a fantastic inboard short pass to Alana Lishmund. Prior to hurting herself, Tonkin presented at half-forward, though a couple of passes were at her feet. Will be one better for the run and working into the season as that marking forward.

#46 Gracie Sim (Defender)

Stats: 7 disposals, 1 mark, 1 tackle, 1 clearance

The top-ager made her SANFLW debut and while not huge numbers, had her moments. Sim’s best play came in the second term where, faced with a one-on-one against the speedy Newman, was able to remain calm and composed to win the ball deep in defence and handball off to a running teammate to clear the danger.

NORTH ADELAIDE:

#3 Bailey Murray (Defender)

Stats: 8 disposals, 3 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

Showed some promise on building on her debut season last year which resulted in the 17-year-old playing eight games. Often running hard from the back half of the ground, Murray showed a clean pair of heels and always looked to take the game on. Got crunched at one stage but bounced back up, and looked to settle in as the game went on.

#4 Iris Newman (Forward)

Stats: 10 disposals, 1 mark, 3 tackles, 1 clearance, 2 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 1 goal

Looked lively throughout the match with her electric speed and pressure inside 50. She is only in the Under 16s program so has three seasons of SANFLW footy in her, which means plenty of highlights over the coming years. While she can get bumped off it a little, she has terrific athletic traits – in particular her evasive sidestep – that gets her out of trouble. Newman was rewarded for her hard running with a free kick for holding the ball early in the fourth term, where she converted the set shot goal.

#5 Polly Turner (Forward)

Stats: 13 disposals, 4 marks (2 contested), 3 tackles, 1 inside 50, 2 goals

The Adelaide and Carlton father-daughter eligible forward looked impressive on debut, with the bottom-ager having caught the eye during the Under 16s carnival last year. Her hands were strong, she applied great pressure for a tall at ground level, and kicked two goals, one from a metre out being in the perfect spot, then another from a mark and set shot 35m from goal. Still raw, but has undeniable talent that will foster at senior level.