THREE-time AFLW Under 16 Development Championships winners South Australia has locked in its squad for the 2026 nationals as they gun for a remarkable fourth straight title. The mentor in charge of the Croweaters’ three-peat, Bek McMahon, will again take the reins in the hope of adding more silverware to the cabinet.

Initially naming a 47-player squad for the summer training squad, the team has been cut down to the final 30, with all eight SANFL clubs represented. A number of top-agers played last year in the National Development Championships including the likes of Izabella Nisbet (Central District) and Jaidee-Lee Shortridge (South Adelaide).

The Bulldogs and Redlegs lead all-comers in terms of representation making up almost half of the entire squad (seven apiece), while the remaining six teams have between to to three representatives. Glenelg, South Adelaide, West Adelaide and Woodville-West Torrens all have three players in the side, while North Adelaide and Sturt have a pair of representatives.

Assisting McMahon in the coaches box will be former Sturt SANFLW coach Michael O’Connor, current Port Adelaide AFLW player Sachi Syme, as well as Emma Sampson, Emily Woods and Ashlee Bridge. The Croweaters’ two matches take place on April 7 and April 16 with the former against Western Australia and the latter to be determined depending on the result against the Sandgropers.

2026 SA Under 16s Girls Squad