ANOTHER season of SANFL Women’s action is just around the corner, and while the league year is a little later than usual, South Australian footy fans have the brand new AAMI Talent League to look forward to starting February 28. As has become an annual tradition for Rookie Me Central, we name our top juniors from the league to keep an eye on for the year ahead with the only criteria being either top-age or younger.

We continue our top 15 players to watch countdown – which will run over the three weeks to finish on the eve of the Talent League season – with West Adelaide defender-midfielder Emily Mableson who won her state’s MVP at the AFLW Under 16 Championships in 2024.

South Australia Girls, West Adelaide Women'sMedium Defender

Emily Mableson

Height: 170cm

Weight: -

DOB: 05-05-2008

Positional Analysis

Mableson started her SANFLW career as a running half-back, but showed her midfield potential late in her double bottom-age season, before splitting more of her time inside to go with her class from behind the ball. She is just a well-rounded player who impacts offensively and defensively, can find her own ball, while also remaining accountable to her opponent.

2025 Stats

SANFLW | 17.3 disposals | 2.3 marks | 5.3 tackles | 2.6 clearances | 1.4 inside 50s | 2.0 rebound 50s (12 games)

AFLW U18s | 14.5 disposals | 1.0 marks | 5.0 tackles | 1.3 clearances | 1.3 inside 50s | 3.5 rebound 50s (4 games)

Key Strengths

A Rolls Royce type player, Mableson is all class, with her decision making and execution two areas that stand out. She seems to just cruise off half-back but is hard to bring down because her spatial awareness and understanding of the game. With grass in front of her, she sets plays up, and while more inside time looks likely in 2026, Mableson can just as easily be the outside running player who can slice through opposition defensive zones.

2026

With any time and space, Mableson can put the opposition in a world of hurt, and coaches have said in the past she is one of the most diligent players in terms of seeking improvement and feedback in her game. A player who spends extra time working on her craft, Mableson can still add to her frame to compete against the bigger bodies one-on-one, but is likely to be utilised in a receiving role at the top level anyway. Has the potential to really cement her place on-ball, but has the traits to slot into any position on the field.

Summary

Emily Mableson is a smooth-moving midfielder-defender who can play just about anywhere. She uses it well, sizes up options quickly and executes with success most of the time. She often looks in second gear but it is more about the fact she has that ‘time and space’ often attributed to Scott Pendlebury, and that enables her to almost move in slow motion at times before releasing the ball to a teammates. One of the classiest players in the draft crop.