A COUPLE of role changes due to some big outs from respective sides saw plenty of change amongst the South Australian State Academy members. We took note of how each of them performed, with a debutant, some returning faces and huge numbers for others.

>> ROUND 10: Match of the Round | Recap | Team of the Week

All notes are the opinion of the individual author.

NORTH ADELAIDE:

#5 Polly Turner (Defender)

Stats: 16 disposals, 4 marks (2 contested), 4 tackles, 3 clearances, 1 inside 50, 6 rebound 50s

The contested marking forward was thrown into a completely different defensive role for the Roosters in a bid to combat the Eagles’ trio of tall forwards. Turner is a natural lead at the footy so early on she would intercept and drive the ball out of the back 50, while sometimes at the expense of accountability over the back to her direct opponent. She adapted as the match went on and finished as one of North’s best, providing a contest and showing a slick sidestep for a player of her size.

#35 Caitlin Hardin (Forward/Midfielder)

Stats: 9 disposals 2 marks, 5 tackles, 3 clearances, 2 rebound 50s

Had a handful of moments throughout the match showing strength and smarts across each third of the ground. Though often playing forward, Hardin won a lot of her touches behind the ball, working hard both ways and impacting the game both at the stoppage and in space. She did have a shot on goal in the third term but it just fell short.

#54 Maya Fuller (Defender)

Stats: 6 disposals, 2 tackles

The 2009-born Fuller made her SANFLW debut and held her own coming off half-back and pushing up the ground. Quite often she would intercept at the high half-back position and clear down the ground. While not having a stack of it, the Under 16s prospect certainly looked comfortable at the level.

WOODVILLE-WEST TORRENS:

#4 Julia Faulkner (Midfielder)

Stats: 14 disposals, 6 tackles, 6 clearances, 2 inside 50s

Got her midfield opportunity like so many others on this list and did not hold back. She cracks in defensively, but can find her own ball and burst away with clean hands. She got caught holding hte ball at one stage, but once in the clear, can deliver precise kicks going forward. Faulkner’s follow-up work was a highlight.

#7 Maia Freemantle (Midfielder)

Stats: 11 disposals, 1 mark, 9 tackles, 6 clearances, 2 inside 50s

Having rotated between the wing and midfield in recent weeks, Freemantle found herself more inside and one of a number of young guns stepping up around the ball. She makes the most of her touches with her best being a brilliant centre clearance in the opening minute of the fourth term to set up Klaudia O’Neill for a crucial goal. Her tackling in terms of both power and technique is fantastic.

#15 Lucy Moore (Midfielder)

Stats: 23 disposals, 1 mark, 12 tackles, 11 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

The one permanent member of the inside brigade who played her same role each and every week, Moore put up some huge numbers and essentially an inside midfielder’s version of a triple-double (23 disposals, 12 tackles and 11 clearances). While she is such a clean contested ball-winner, Moore has a nice turn of pace to burst from a stoppage and is strong in the hips to shrug would-be tacklers and get handballs away. With time and space she hits targets going forward, and her ability to exit stoppages and lower the eyes inside 50 is a massive tick.

#22 Imogen Trengove (Midfielder)

Stats: 27 disposals, 2 marks, 11 tackles, 6 clearances, 9 inside 50s

The biggest change of the lot, Trengove moved from her forward/wing role to inside midfield where she essentially replaced the missing Christina Leuzzi. Trengove’s work rate has always been her greatest strength and instead of being on the outside, she was now roaming contest to contest. She knows how to get into ball-winning positions, and had a field day alongside her State Academy cohort who all knew each other’s strengths so well. While not adding to her 10 goals for the season, Trengove set up a number of scoring chances and was influential everywhere with a number of lovely long kicks to leading forwards.

SOUTH ADELAIDE:

#3 Molly Jenkins (Defender)

Stats: 6 disposals, 1 mark, 2 tackles, 1 inside 50, 1 rebound 50

The long-sleeved Jenkins played on a variety of opponents from O’Sullivan to Mackereth and was able to compete one-on-one and kept a close eye on her direct opponent. She showed some clean hands but also the improvements to come with a fairly obvious push in the back when not required and getting spoiled on the boundary in the back pocket when caught flat footed. Other than that, Jenkins stood up in a tackle and positioned herself well in defence, taking a relieving mark midway through the fourth term before clearing to the wing.

#8 Hope Taylor (Forward/Wing)

Stats: 3 disposals, 1 mark, 1 tackle, 1 inside 50

Taylor had a handful of ‘almost’ moments including one in the goalsquare where she just could not quite get boot to ball. Ultimately it was a quiet day for the bottom-ager, but she has had some impressive matches of late.

#19 Taya Maxwell (Midfielder/Ruck)

Stats: 14 disposals, 2 marks (1 contested), 2 tackles, 17 hitouts, 4 clearances, 1 inside 50, 5 rebound 50s

Rotated between the midfield and ruck roles with Soriah Moon once again, and smartly worked into the hold in defence to take a number of strong grabs. Consistent throughout the four quarters, Maxwell showed her stoppage nous on more than a few occasions, using her bigger frame to rip the ball free and kick clear, but also having the athleticism to spin out of trouble on occasions. Aerially she is hard to beat, and at ground level it is even more difficult. A clean player for her size, Maxwell is going to be a handful at the national championships.

#20 Layla Vizgaudis (Midfielder/Forward)

Stats: 13 disposals, 3 clearances, 1 inside 50, 3 rebound 50s

Started on-ball and went head-to-head with Fielder for large portions, Vizgaudis also drifted forward and looked dangerous. She had a huge first term where the South Adelaide bottom-ager seemingly was everywhere, though her efficiency was uncharacteristically down with a few turnovers in that time. She lifted the efficiency across the last three quarters, and though she did not get as much of it, still found ways to remain involved.

#25 Emma Charlton (Forward/Midfielder)

Stats: 17 disposals, 5 marks, 6 tackles, 4 clearances, 4 inside 50s

Charlton starting forward and got her opportunity on-ball where she won an important centre clearance late in the third term. She battled with Jess Bates for the most part and did not take a backwards step, trying to quell the influence of the champion, while still impacting herself around the stoppages. Was clean at ground level and spread well to the outside, often looking for that sizzling inside pass to open the game up through the corridor.

#56 Lily Baxter (Wing/Forward)

Stats: 12 disposals, 1 mark, 2 tackles, 1 clearance, 1 goal

Baxter spent more time on a wing than forward in the game with Taylor doing the opposite, and it benefited the National Academy member. She always runs hard but looked dangerous and still hit the scoreboard during the second term when getting free and slotting a classy goal on the run. Baxter used the ball well and applied pressure, showing clean hands and a knack for flicking the ball to a teammate in space.

#60 Marley Tape (Defender)

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

Played her nullifying defensive role in the back 50, often going head-to-head with fellow tenacious tackler, Matilda Wilmore. Tape laid several huge tackles including one that would have been a certain goal to Wilmore, while also killing another play by taking it out of bounds late in the match.

GLENELG:

#6 Georgie Fielder (Forward/Midfield)

Stats: 27 disposals, 4 marks, 4 tackles, 5 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

The bottom-age Fielder was outstanding throughout the four quarters and was arguably best on ground with her performance around the coalface. A lovely distributor by hand and capable of weaving through traffic, Fielder is best suited in a second possession-winning role where she can burst away and then either dish off another handball or kick long once getting clear. She will be the subject of our Player Focus for the week tomorrow.

#9 Eloise Mackereth (Forward)

Stats: 8 disposals, 5 marks (3 contested), 2 inside 50s, 2 goals, 1 behind

Donning new boots and a new outlook, Mackereth looked like the glimpses of her best form, kicking two goals and having several other chances. Her reading of the ball in flight and aerial ability really helped, taking a great mark on the goalline when others had thought the ball was done, then kicking her second in an unforgettable moment. In the 13th minute of the fourth quarter, she took a strong mark at half-forward, delivered a lovely kick to Cassie McWilliam then bolted hard to the goalsquare to mark that next kick and slam home the goal. Just about every one of her touches were notable, which was a promising sign for the future.

#48 Charlotte O’Sullivan (Forward)

Stats: 5 disposals, 1 mark, 1 tackle, 1 inside 50, 1 behind

Still adjusting to the level, the 16-year-old O’Sullivan took some learning opportunities from the game. In the first term she streamed towards goal with Mackereth all alone 15m in front of her but rushed the kick and sprayed it out on the full, with her other set shot missing to the left from 25m. O’Sullivan did show clean hands at half-forward during the third quarter with a nice handball and dished off later in the term after a quick gather.

STURT:

#4 Summer Ross (Wing)

Stats: 9 disposals, 3 tackles, 4 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

The left-footed Ross provided hard running on the outside and added a number of forward forays with her ability to break the lines. She got back to assist the defence when required, but often was unrewarded for said running. Ross can use the ball well when able to compose herself and the follow-up work she showed was also impressive.

#7 Lily Whiteman (Forward)

Stats: 17 disposals, 1 mark, 1 tackle, 3 clearances, 1 behind

An Under 16s talent with plenty of traits to work with, Whiteman’s vision and lovely left-foot were on display in the match. At one stage hugged against the boundary she was able to turn inboard and spot a leading target, executing the pass with precision. For the most part, Whiteman had very little space but worked hard with her running patterns and even got up to win the ball at half-back at one point.

#16 Monique Bessen (Midfielder/Forward)

Stats: 24 disposals, 5 marks (1 contested), 6 tackles, 2 hitouts, 6 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 2 goals, 1 behind

The National Academy member is in a purple patch of form and looks like no signs of slowing down. She was simply everywhere throughout the four quarters, getting involved around the stoppages, down back or up forward, with the latter resulting in two goals to her name. Both majors were outstanding with her first coming in the second term from a tight angle on the boundary, and the second being a clever snap off hands at a forward stoppage, finishing with class midway through the final quarter. Was influential with her ball use and contest to contest work was sublime.

#17 Sophie Thredgold (Defender/Midfielder)

Stats: 7 disposals, 3 marks (2 contested), 3 tackles, 2 inside 50s

A quieter game from Thredgold who are largely played in defence but did push into the midfield rotation, particularly in the second quarter. She hit a couple of sizzling passes into Amy Brooks-Birve and when in defence did well on Eaton, producing a well-timed spoil in the first term and then a strong intercept mark early in the fourth quarter.

#26 Lily Smart (Wing)

Stats: 13 disposals, 2 marks, 1 tackle, 2 clearances, 2 inside 50s

Like Ross, Smart ran up and down the opposite wing with her first term being electric. She had the ball on a string and looked like causing all sorts of havoc with her line-breaking and dare. She was a little quieter after that, but still got her hands to it on a number of occasions, quick to dispose of it and keep it moving forward in transition.

CENTRAL DISTRICT:

#3 Miyu Endersby (Defender/Ruck)

Stats: 17 disposals, 4 marks (1 contested), 1 tackle, 11 hitouts, 3 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 4 rebound 50s, 1 behind

Starting in defence, Endersby played the role of intercepting machine to thwart plenty of Sturt’s attacks, then moved into the ruck to get some ascendancy for her side from the middle of the ground. Her kicking for a tall is a delight with one moment being a well weighted checkside kick on a sharp angle from defence into the corridor. Competed in the air both in marking contests and for the ruck duties, while also having one set shot – a behind – after a fantastic tackle on Bessen inside 50.

#12 Sophie Eaton (Forward/Midfielder)

Stats: 9 disposals, 5 tackles, 2 clearances, 1 inside 50, 1 behind

Had Thredgold for company early and was largely forward but did move into the midfield at times. She was often not involved in the play, though when she was she had an impact. One such kick in the third term lead to a Jovanka Zecevic goal, and no doubt the more she gets the ball, the more similar results Central District would get with a player of Eaton’s calibre kicking it inside 50.

#31 Tara Lord (Midfielder/Forward)

Stats: 7 disposals, 1 mark, 1 tackle, 2 clearances

Didn’t see a lot of it either throughout the match despite rotating between midfield and forward. Had a few nice touches here and there, and usually uses it effectively. Lord’s highlight was a goal assist to Lauren Breguet with a nice centring kick to the top of the goalsquare.

WEST ADELAIDE:

#3 Lucy Waye (Forward/Midfielder)

Stats: 21 disposals, 5 marks (1 contested), 6 tackles, 7 clearances, 1 rebound 50, 1 goal

Earning the Breakthrough Player Award for her performance, Waye still played at her usual level, but was able to get rewarded more often and got her hands on the ball around the stoppage when rotated in there. She showed a midfield role is something she is more than capable of achieving, while maintaining her high work rate and fantastic defensive pressure. She kicked what was the match-levelling goal with a fantastic set shot in the fourth term, then after earning a free kick delivered the ball to Zoe Venning for the match-winning behind.

#4 Emily Mableson (Defender)

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

It was a little bit of a quieter performance from the talented bottom-ager who started in defence and looked to run hard and create some drive from the back half. She was clean, generally used the ball well and also competed strongly in the air. Mableson does not need much of the ball to have an impact, so while she did have a little less of it, she did seem to be more behind the ball than anything else with her skills an decision making key to exiting the defensive 50.

#14 Chloe Tonkin (Ruck/Forward)

Stats: 9 disposals, 1 mark (1 contested), 2 tackles, 25 hitouts, 2 clearances, 1 rebound 50, 1 goal

Had a great battle with Alexander throughout the match, and when her direct opponent was off, Tonkin really filled her boots around the stoppages. She is hard to move once she gets positioned, and can shark the ball out of the ruck too. When going up in a pack marking situation in the goalsquare late in the second term, Tonkin got ball to boot to slam home a crucial major.

#52 Sarah Deed (Forward)

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

Only had the three touches but one was a goal which came from a nice lead, mark and set shot. Another disposal was a quick kick inside 50, and though she was not able to get her hands on it otherwise, still worked hard inside 50.

NORWOOD:

#14 Kate Alexander (Ruck/Forward)

Stats: 8 disposals, 2 marks (1 contested), 1 tackle, 14 hitouts, 2 clearances

Competed well against fellow State Academy member Tonkin, and though she had less hitouts, also spent time off the ground when she came off hurt during the second term. Fortunately, Alexander returned not too long after but still looked a little sore so was not as busy in the second half as she was in the first. Though one highlight was a huge contested mark early in the fourth term.

#18 Charlee Brooksby (Defender)

Stats: 13 disposals, 4 marks, 4 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

Smooth and composed off half-back, Brooksby balanced her offensive and defensive duties to a t, competing strongly in the air and then backing up at ground level. With ball in hand, Brooksby looked to run and drive the ball forward, holding a high line at half-back and transitioning defence into offence. Overall played her role and was among the better Redlegs on the ground.

#39 Charli Hazelhurst (Tall Utility)

Stats: 10 disposals, 3 marks, 6 tackles, 2 clearances, 1 inside 50, 1 goal

Hazelhurst’s big moment came in the third term where out of nothing she snapped the ball around her body and watch it bounce home to goal and level the scores. She is not a huge production player, but was terrific defensively and also provided direction to teammates when required. Got caught holding the ball in a really unlucky decision early in the second term, with Hazelhurst often able to get her hands free or use the ball well in all thirds of the ground.

#54 Lottie Almond (Defender)

Stats: 10 disposals, 2 mark, 1 tackle, 1 clearance, 1 rebound 50

Tasked with a defensive role once again, Almond is a natural competitor and is not afraid to take on opponents tall and small. She can get ball to boot or by hand really quickly and mopped up on a number of occasions. The top-ager plays a role where nullifying her direct opponent is operative number one, while providing some offensive run is a bonus.