A BLISTERING 37-0 first quarter set South Australia up for an impressive win over Brisbane lions Academy, putting the Croweaters in pole position to win a third straight AFLW Under 16s Development Championships title. While Vic Metro has that opportunity to do just that today with a big win over Vic Country – the winner is decided by percentage if unbeaten from two games – South Australia did all it could to retain the title.

The Lions did manage to get their groove on in the second quarter by keeping the home side scoreless and trimming the deficit back to a far more manageable 21 points. Unfortunately for them, the wind-affected oval handed South Australia an advantage in the third time which the Croweaters took to put it back out to a large 44-point margin. Brisbane kept fighting to the end, but South Australia again won the last quarter against the breeze, kicking three goals to one to win, 12.8 (80) to 3.6 (24).

>> 2025 AFLW U16s | Scouting Notes: Western Australia vs South Australia

>> 2025 AFLW U16s | Scouting Notes: Lions Academy vs Vic Country

SOUTH AUSTRALIA 6.1 | 6.1 | 9.6 | 12.8 (80)
LIONS ACADEMY 0.0 | 2.4 | 2.4 | 3.6 (24)

GOALS:
South Australia: S. Blethyn 2, L. Gribben 2, C. Maurits 2, M. Freemantle, M. Nuss, L. Thomas, C. O’Sullivan, J. Shortridge, I. Nelson
Lions Academy: F. McIntosh, K. Tolley, N. Clarey

RMC BEST:
South Australia: L. Cocks, M. Freemantle, C. Maurits L. Gribben, M. Nuss
Lions Academy: A. Murray, C. Musial, E. Baker, L. Ashcroft, A. Crowe

SOUTH AUSTRALIA:

#4 Charlotte Maurits
Central District | 166cm | 19/03/2009

Maurits is going to do some special things over the next few years and as a Central District prospect is reminiscent of recently drafted Jasmine Evans. Has that class that clearly stands out and knows where the goals are as well. Strong overhead for a medium sized player, she kicked a ripping goal from a tight angle in the pocket early, then converted a set shot just before the final siren. Managed 16 disposals, five marks, four tackles, four inside 50s and two goals in an all-round performance.

#7 Lani Cocks
Norwood | 161cm | 15/09/2009

Had the ball on a string for the most part and just did a little of everything. Cocks’ contest-to-contest work is one of her points of difference, as well as her defensive pressure for a small. She understands stoppages and works hard defensively to assist the backs, while being able to get forward and have chances on goal. Plays an unassuming, hard working role that makes her teammates better.

#8 Maia Freemantle
Woodville-West Torrens | 168cm | 13/04/2009

When Freemantle is up and about she is controlling plenty of the play with her ability to roam from one end to the other and roll up in just about any position. She hit the scoreboard off the turnover at the top of 50 to run in to 35m and slot a nice finish on the run. Fremantle rolled between the midfield and forward arcs, finding plenty of the ball and getting it inside 50 consistently. She set up Gribben with a nice kick inside 50 in the first quarter, and while she was busier in the first half (13 of her 21 touches came then) she was key in getting the game on South Australia’s terms.

#13 Madeline Nuss
Sturt | 168cm | 04/02/2009

A really lively forward type who kicked the one goal but left a couple out there with some unlucky misses. Her major came from a jaw-dropping run down the middle slicing up the Lions defence. The Croweaters almost made a mess of it over handballing, but it eventually spilled back to Nuss in the goalsquare who made no mistake. She should have had another goal earlier in the match from a quick spin and snap which was going through, but it was touched on the line. Nuss also started the fourth term in the middle and won an early clearance

#31 Lara Gribben
Norwood | 184cm | 02/07/2010

Gribben is going to be a headache for defenders for years to come with her strength and ability to take the ball at the highest point. She puts the mits up and has too much size for most opponents, kicking a couple of goals in as many minutes during the first term. The second of which saw her draw a free kick then casually snap around her body for a set shot goal. A bottom-ager eligible to be here again next year, will only get tougher for opponents in the next 12 months.

LIONS ACADEMY:

#1 Ameleia Murray
Maroochydore | 163cm | 13/09/2009

Produced another eye-catching performance to cap off a wonderful carnival and was the pick of the Lions Academy players across the two games. She is powerful and applies outstanding defensive pressure with her tackling technique a particular highlight. She had a few shots on goal that went wide, but continuted to work hard and her contest to contest work is very good. Her efficiency was down on game one due to the added pressure, but her efforts around the coalface and knack for feasting on the contested ball was huge for her team.

#2 Lucy Ashcroft
Southport | 168cm | 17/08/2009

The Lions father-daughter prospect had a huge first half of 12 disposals, before being quieter in the second with just the six touches, but also rotating forward more. She still brought fantastic heat, laying a game-high nine tackles and still winning four clearances, with her strength and ability to get herself out of trouble highlights of her game. Has natural talent, so will be exciting to watch over the coming years.

#16 Evie Baker
Maroochydore | 168cm | 20/05/2009

Unfortunately Baker’s day ended a few minutes early when getting hurt in the 18th minute of the fourth term. Prior to that, she had worked so hard from the back 50 driving the ball down the ground and providing resistance for the Lions Academy. Her ball use was more often than not effective, and her defensive acts – including a great spoil in the first term followed-up by a second effort – also stood out. An important cog in the team.

#23 Chloe Musial
Wilston Grange | 175cm | 30/11/2009

Working alongside Baker but as the deepest defender, Musial was able to benefit from the kick-ins, but she was the right person to take hte responsibility. Even if the ball did get turned over in a contest or bounced out of bounds, it was clear of the danger zone, and she tried to break the lines and create some overlap run. Musial saved a certain goal with a rushed behind on the goalline a minute into the third term. Ended with 13 disposals and 10 rebound 50s.