BREAKTHROUGH wins to West Adelaide and Norwood, as well as South Adelaide ending Woodville-West Torrens’ unbeaten run were the hallmarks of Round 9 in the SANFL Women’s. With a number of State Academy members returning for the weekend, we took note of how each of those in the Under 18s and Under 16s squads performed.

>> ROUND 9: Match of the Round | Recap | Team of the Week

All notes are the opinion of the individual author.

NORWOOD:

#14 Kate Alexander (Ruck/Forward)

Stats: 11 disposals, 2 marks, 1 tackle, 26 hitouts, 3 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 1 goal

Went head-to-head with Endersby for most of the day and had a great battle throughout. Was clean with her tap work and then went forward in the last term where she managed to garner a couple of shots on goal. The first one was a set shot from 35m that she sprayed out on the full, before strolling in on the end of a handball chain to kick the easiest of majors. Was busy throughout the four quarters and when Endersby was off, dominated at the stoppages.

#18 Charlee Brooksby (Defender)

Stats: 13 disposals, 2 marks, 5 tackles, 2 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

Provided a sense of calm coming out of defence, often against Eaton in what was antoher great battle between State Academy members, With ball in hand, Brooksby generally made good decisions and used it well, also capable of using both sides of her body akin to her sister Molly. Clean off the deck with nice closing speed, Brooksby has a lot of draftable traits, and while still working on her defensive accountability, is very impressively offensively.

#39 Charli Hazelhurst (Tall Utility)

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

Played a bit of everywhere for the Redlegs and competed hard even without winning a stack of it. A couple of her clearances were impactful going forward with Hazelhurst boasting a booming kick. She went forward late in the match to act as a target, but had started the game behind the ball to be an intercepting option as well.

#54 Lottie Almond (Defender)

Stats: 6 disposals, 1 mark (1 contested), 1 tackle, 2 clearances, 1 rebound 50

Had an extremely tough job on Maher early doors, then rotated onto a few depending on the situation. While not winning a lot of it, Almond did a nice job opposed to Maurits to quell the dangerous left-footer, with a nice spin out of trouble at half-back, shrugging the young Dog and kicking down the corridor nicely.

CENTRAL DISTRICT:

#3 Miyu Endersby (Ruck)

Stats: 5 disposals, 1 mark, 4 tackles, 33 hitouts, 1 clearance, 4 inside 50s

Looked in bad shape when being helped off the ground hurting her ankle late in the second term, but was back on to start the second half and won the first tap to show she was good to go. While Alexander had more impact around the ground, Endersby earned the chocolates at the stoppage with her tap work. The Bulldogs tall showcased her outstanding vertical jump and competed bravely with strong defensive pressure.

#9 Charlotte Maurits (Forward)

Stats: 5 disposals, 2 tackles, 1 clearance

Was mostly shut down by Almond and not having a lot of looks at it, but had one outstanding play that showed why she is so gifted. Gathering in attack hard on the boundary opposed to Brooksby, Maurits spun out of trouble to get to her left side and in an instance placed a lace-out precise kick to Katelyn Rosenzweig in the corridor.

#12 Sophie Eaton (Forward)

Stats: 10 disposals, 3 tackles, 4 inside 50s, 1 goal

Has cemented her spot as that forward once again given the midfield depth at the Dogs, and kicked an important goal on the edge of half-time to stretch the lead out to 17 points once again. She set up another couple of scoring options, and though under pressure made a few errors, was typically clean and her skills and technique are among the best going around. Perhaps a touch too reactive at times, but when she has ball in hand can inflict maximum damage.

#31 Tara Lord (Midfielder/Forward)

Stats: 14 disposals, 2 marks, 2 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 1 goal

Started forward and moved on-ball to have a huge first term of six touches and a late goal with a clever snap off a step in the final two minutes of the quarter. She used the ball efficiently and set up other teammates for scoring chances and then worked back behind the ball later in the match to provide some resistance against the flow. Finished among the better players on the Dogs’ side.

#54 Mikaylah Antony (Defender)

Stats: 10 disposals, 4 marks, 2 tackles, 2 rebound 50s

Not a huge game but did play her role and was okay with her interception and rebounding. Her kicking was a touch below her best in the game but the conditions were challenging at times. Antony showed clean hands and competed each and every contest, finishing with four marks from her 10 touches and general making good decisions.

STURT:

#4 Summer Ross (Wing)

Stats: 12 disposals, 5 tackles, 2 clearances, 1 inside 50, 1 rebound 50

Ross’ form back on the wing continued through the game with a hard-running performance throughout the four quarters. Not having the same space where she can apply some offensive damage, Ross was superb defensively, laying five tackles and providing an additional defensive running support option. Quick by hand or foot, she was fended off at one stage and at times had to rush her disposal, but was mostly effective.

#7 Lily Whiteman (Forward)

Stats: 10 disposals, 2 tackles, 2 clearances, 3 inside 50s

Had limited opportunities, but the Under 16s talent worked up the ground and had some clever plays with a few touches finding targets going forward. She was clean and quick with her disposals and worked to get into space for teammates to use as an option streaming forward.

#16 Monique Bessen (Midfielder/Forward)

Stats: 27 disposals, 1 mark, 9 tackles, 6 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 4 rebound 50s, 2 behinds

The National Academy member is in some kind of hot form of late and that continued with another standout performance against the Roosters. In the best working with Isobel Kuiper, Bessen did well to run hard behind the ball and mop up when required, while applying fantastic defensive pressure at the coalface. Her reading of the ball off hands at the stoppage enabled her to win a stack of clearances, and Bessen continually worked hard to win the ball and feed it to teammates in order to keep it moving quickly. Took a couple of shots on goal during the second term with one unluckily hitting the post.

#17 Sophie Thredgold (Defender)

Stats: 10 disposals, 4 marks, 2 tackles, 1 clearance, 7 rebound 50s

Relieved of her midfield duties to play deeper in defence, Thredgold showed why she made her name in the role last season, with some strong marks and driving balls out of the back 50. At one stage she gathered it one-handed while under pressure to tap it in front of her away from her opponent then kick it straight down the middle, while later on took a strong one-on-one intercept mark deep in the back 50. Had a busy third term in particularly and defended bravely.

#26 Lily Smart (Wing)

Stats: 11 disposals, 4 marks (1 contested), 3 tackles, 4 inside 50s

Another Sturt player who has been in great form, Smart stretched the field well and was clean by hand and quick to dispose of the ball when under pressure. Her elite speed and endurance mix really stands out with her ground coverage, and though still light and able to be bumped off it, is strong in the air and takes the ball well by protecting the drop zone. Finds space around the field exceptionally well.

NORTH ADELAIDE:

#5 Polly Turner (Forward)

Stats: 5 disposals, 1 mark, 2 tackles, 1 inside 50

One of the talented bottom-ager’s quieter performances but not through lack of trying. She worked up the ground and aggressively lead, but Sturt’s defence was well aware of her ability to turn a game. Still needing to further develop her forward craft, Turner had some moments, but did not get a lot of easy looks on a lead which is often her go.

#35 Caitlin Hardin (Forward/Midfielder)

Stats: 13 disposals, 1 mark, 2 tackles, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50, 1 rebound 50

A really classy and clean player, Hardin uses the ball exceptionally well all around the ground, working between defence to attack. She got to push up the ground then dart back and be involved in a later contest. She was strong when tackled getting her hands free, and rarely wasted a touch with nice, clean disposals and a slick sidestep to get herself out of trouble on numerous occasions.

WOODVILLE-WEST TORRENS:

#4 Julia Faulkner (Forward)

Stats: 9 disposals, 2 tackles

Faulkner is one of those hard-working players who earns every touch and while defensively stands tall, can use the ball effectively as well. Stationed up forward, Faulkner did not see a lot of it early, and then missed a running shot out on the full midway through the second term, which was uncharacteristic for her but symbolic of the pressure. Remained lively inside the arc and plays a role with a defensive forward option a possibility for her traits.

#7 Maia Freemantle (Midfielder)

Stats: 21 disposals, 1 mark (1 contested), 6 tackles, 3 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

Freemantle spent most of her time on-ball in the game and still covered the ground just as well. Rotating against a host of fellow State Academy members, Freemantle has such a high-level of defensive focus and aggression, while still being able to win the ball herself. She spread from the contest to be an option and though her efficiency can be hit and miss when on the inside, always applies fierce second and third efforts.

#15 Lucy Moore (Midfielder)

Stats: 24 disposals, 1 mark, 8 tackles, 6 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

A standout in the game from the State Academy, Moore was huge in defence, accumulating the most disposals from her side and bringing the defensive heat as well. She is quick by hand or foot getting it out of congestion, and though she did not have a lot of space to run and gun which she can with her burst speed, Moore did make appropriate actions for the conditions. She thrived throughout the four quarters.

#22 Imogen Trengove (Wing/Forward)

Stats: 7 disposals, 5 tackles, 1 clearance, 3 inside 50s, 1 behind

Arguably due for a quieter outing after some big games, Trengove found little time and space. She has such a wonderful offensive-defensive balance that her non-negotiables of tackling and repeat efforts were always going to be there, but she just was unable to get on the end of chances like she so often does. Had to rush a lot of her disposals in transition and had the one behind to her name.

SOUTH ADELAIDE:

#3 Molly Jenkins (Defender)

Stats: 6 disposals, 1 mark, 1 rebound 50

Not a heap of the ball for the second-gamer but still showed promising signs coming out of defence with some clean touches going forward. She was quick by hand and made good decisions with short, sharp passes and just played a role in the back 50.

#8 Hope Taylor (Forward/Wing)

Stats: 10 disposals, 4 marks, 2 tackles, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50

Taylor is a player who usually has a high impact-per-possession game but like many, felt the added defensive pressure across the ground. Made a rare couple of rushed kicks down the ground, but did find space well and by settling in transition, nailed precise passes. Taylor worked well up and down the field, and was clean considering the conditions.

#19 Taya Maxwell (Utility)

Stats: 17 disposals, 3 marks (1 contested), 4 tackles, 13 hitouts, 5 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

Seemed to be everywhere in the match and competed in the air and at ground level throughout the four quarters, using her skills and strength to impact the contest. She pushed forward from the middle when the Panthers were on top, then went behind the ball to be an intercepting option as well. Her clearance work out of the middle was a highlight in the game and Maxwell’s ability to clear long distances with her raking kick a vital cog in the Panthers’ win.

#20 Layla Vizgaudis (Midfielder/Forward)

Stats: 18 disposals, 5 marks (2 contested), 6 tackles, 4 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s, 1 behind

Showed a real strength overhead regardless of the opponent in the game, with Vizgaudis clunking two contested marks, including one in the middle against Leah Cutting by holding her front position. She worked back to help out the defence as well when required. She has that classy nature to her game and uses the ball well, while backing up with copious amounts of defensive pressure. Missed a set shot out on the full during the third term, with another flying shot missing during the first term, but her field kicking was impressive and she often looked for those high percentage short passes.

#25 Emma Charlton (Midfielder/Forward)

Stats: 16 disposals, 3 marks, 9 tackles, 1 rebound 50

Defensively stood tall in the victory with her tackling pressure on repeat throughout the four quarters. She took a few good marks including a couple of important intercept marks to then put pressure on the Eagles defence on turnover. While not as impactful as some of her other games offensively, there was little doubt on her ability to step up defensively when the game is not going her way.

#56 Lily Baxter (Forward/Wing)

Stats: 5 disposals, 3 marks, 1 tackle, 1 rebound 50, 1 goal

Playing forward Baxter had next to no opportunities across the last three quarters and even when moved into a wing role was largely running hard with minimal reward. She still worked hard and the highlight of her game without a doubt was her ridiculous goal from the forward pocket given the angle and degree of difficulty seven minutes into the first term while under pressure.

GLENELG:

#6 Georgie Fielder (Forward/Midfield)

Stats: 14 disposals, 4 marks, 3 tackles, 1 clearance, 4 inside 50s

Played forward and had some midfield rotations without a great deal of space. Fielder did use the ball quickly when on the move and worked behind the ball to get-and-go while being effective at ground level. Her kick from the middle to centre half-forward to hit Asha Dufour in the fourth term showed her ability to execute the right options. Applied some nice defensive pressure as well.

#9 Eloise Mackereth (Forward)

Stats: 5 disposals, 1 mark, 3 tackles, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50

Another performance that had some sprinkles of what she can do – such as a strong mark on the lead – but was ultimately starved of many opportunities. The National Academy member continually tried pushing up to half-forward and did lay some tackles but could not get enough looks on goal with her only long-range attempt from said mark felling short and cleared away.

#33 Tessa Davis (Defender)

Stats: 26 disposals, 6 marks (1 contested), 3 tackles, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50, 7 rebound 50s

Davis returned from the side after a well-earned rest last week but unfortunately it meant the top-ager is still yet to taste a SANFLW victory. Providing a switch option in the back 50 or intercepting high up the ground, Davis competes well in the air or at ground level. She uses the ball effectively and has a booming left-foot that carries plenty of distance. Davis also took the kickouts and looked to drive the ball down the ground when possible.

#48 Charlotte O’Sullivan (Forward)

Stats: 3 disposals, 2 tackles, 1 inside 50, 1 goal

Similar to Mackereth, the Under 16s talent had next to no opportunities inside 50 but remains one of the more impactful players with each disposal. The Bays forward kicked a set shot goal after a free kick late in the match, after earlier delivering a deep kick to the goalsquare to put the West Adelaide defence under immense pressure.

WEST ADELAIDE:

#3 Lucy Waye (Forward)

Stats: 19 disposals, 1 mark (1 contested), 4 tackles, 3 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 1 goal, 1 behind

Waye has hardly put a foot wrong all season and once again was one of the better Bloods throughout the contest. She got on the board early by slamming home a goal from the goalsquare off hands under pressure, with her only other chance coming from a set shot a minute into the second term that missed to the left. She did get caught on the odd occasion trying to burst away, but was effective at ground level with second and third efforts that underpin her game.

#4 Emily Mableson (Defender/Midfielder)

Stats: 17 disposals, 2 marks, 6 tackles, 1 inside 50, 5 rebound 50s

Always smooth streaming down the ground, Mableson uses the ball so effectively in transition and picks the right options by hand or foot. Often having to navigate through traffic, South Australia’s Under 16s MVP from last year provides a point of difference to a hardened on-ball group. The added string Mableson has is her class because she brings the same level of defensive pressure as her teammates, but is as damaging as anyone else out there with ball in hand.

#14 Chloe Tonkin (Ruck/Forward)

Stats: 9 disposals, 2 marks, 2 tackles, 20 hitouts, 2 clearances, 1 inside 50

Had a quieter day after a few busy weeks, still able to compete well at the ruck stoppages, but not able to influence as much around the ground. She was a target at times, but heavily watched and did her best when around the contest thanks to her follow-up work.

#52 Sarah Deed (Forward)

Stats: 12 disposals, 5 marks (1 contested), 2 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 1 goal, 2 behinds

Coming in for her debut, the Under 16s state representative certainly provided a spark for the Bloods in defeat, kicking a goal and having a couple of other opportunities. Deed was held from close range early in the fourth term which saw her make no mistake, which was well deserved having just missed a couple of chances. Both went to the near side or was touched on the goalline, otherwise the young gun could have finished with a highly productive first game. Still, a huge contested mark midway through the third term caught the eye and she worked hard and looked busy inside 50.