ROUND 3 of the SANFLW produced another competitive weekend of action, with the unpredictability on show as last beat first on the ladder, and the wet weather wreaking havoc in the first of the Energised Rounds with all four games back-to-back at The Parade. We took note of how each of the State Academy members performed across the four games.

All notes are the opinion of the individual author.

>> ROUND 3: Recap | Player Focus

CENTRAL DISTRICT:

#3 Miyu Endersby (Ruck)

Stats: 11 disposals, 1 mark, 2 tackles, 45 hitouts, 2 clearances, 4 rebound 50s

Another enormous hitout return for the National Academy member, who dominated the ruck contest against the two-prong Eagles ruck force across four quarters. Her tap-work was clean and decisive throughout, and she worked tirelessly to push into defensive positions when required – including a good gather and clearance from the back pocket late in the third term. While outmuscled by Leah Cutting at times, Endersby worried the Eagles with her athleticism. A genuine asset for the Bulldogs.

#9 Charlotte Maurits (Forward)

Stats: 12 disposals, 3 marks, 1 tackle, 1 clearance, 2 inside 50s

Maurits had a massive final term when it mattered most – two damaging kicks inside 50 leading to goals that cut the deficit back to 12 points were the highlights of her day, and she continued to show her creativity and quick hands in tight situations. Her ability to mark on the forward side of the wing and drive deep inside 50 effectively was again a feature, and a sharp spoil in the third term to bring the ball to ground showed her defensive application. Not her biggest numbers but another reminder of just how damaging a ball user she is when the game is on the line.

#15 Olivia Leslie (Defender)

Stats: 9 disposals, 1 tackle, 1 inside 50, 1 rebound 50

It was a mixed bag for Leslie who had Klaudia O’Neill early and conceded a few goals, but once she moved onto fellow State Academy member Lynch – a more athletic but less imposing opponent – Leslie had a much better time. She is better suited to the hard running and jumping forwards, with O’Neill’s ability to plant herself in front and making it so hard to spoil. A couple of huge highlights for Leslie came in the second half with a proactive read at half-back, a clean handball under pressure and then a brilliant goal-saving tackle on Ruby Lynch in the goalsquare in the third minute were her best moments.

#18 Demi Holloway (Forward/Midfielder)

Stats: 6 disposals, 2 tackles, 2 clearances, 1 inside 50, 1 behind

Limited opportunities across the day but showed moments of high footy IQ – a brilliant vision pass inboard in the forward pocket to Lauren Breguet was the highlight, and a long kick inside 50 that bounced through for a behind showed her willingness to back herself. Her free kick in defensive 50 in the second term and clearance kick to half-back was a reliable contribution. Quieter by necessity but with quality touches when involved.

WOODVILLE-WEST TORRENS:

#4 Julia Faulkner (Forward/Midfielder)

Stats: 9 disposals, 1 mark, 3 tackles, 2 clearances

A quieter day for Faulkner who spent time between forward and midfield roles. Her clean and quick hands on the wing in the first term and a good mark on the wing were a couple of early highlights, and while she is naturally not a huge accumulator, just makes her touches count, particularly in the forward half.

#7 Maia Freemantle (Midfielder)

Stats: 16 disposals, 6 tackles, 7 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s

In her second game for the season, Freemantle starred around the ball, doing toe-for-toe with Shelby Smith early, and then covering the ground exceptionally well throughout the contest. Her first centre clearance in the second term was brilliant – two disposals later O’Neill kicked a goal – and her switch kick in the final term that led directly to O’Neill’s fourth was her best passage. She was competitive at both ends, showing quick hands in defensive 50 on multiple occasions and following up tackles to lock the ball up. Continues to build a compelling case as one of the Eagles’ most important players.

#15 Lucy Moore (Midfielder)

Stats: 15 disposals, 2 marks, 9 tackles, 2 clearances, 3 inside 50s

Ever the fierce defensive player, Moore laid another nine tackles to go with her 15 touches and still had her individual moments of brilliance including a run-down tackle on the explosive Tesharna Maher who never saw her coming. She utilised that free to slice a kick through the middle and lead to a goal, before a direct goal assist in the fourth quarter to Marlie Fiegert. Her work rate and defensive pressure are becoming a defining feature of her season.

#36 Ruby Lynch (Midfielder/Forward)

Stats: 15 disposals, 4 tackles, 2 clearances, 5 inside 50s

Lynch was dangerous across the ground all day with five inside 50s, and her best passage was a lovely goal assist off the deck to set up Cher Waters. Her run into an open goal in the final term was denied by a brilliant goal-saving tackle from Leslie – desperately unlucky. She burst away and thumped a long kick deep inside 50 shortly after that bounced just the wrong side for a behind. Spent more time up forward than around the ball but looked worrying for the opposition once she had grass in front of her.

NORTH ADELAIDE:

#14 Maya Fuller (Wing)

Stats: 14 disposals, 1 mark, 2 tackles, 2 clearances, 3 inside 50s

Fuller was busy off the wing and showed her best work in the second and final terms. An intercept mark at half-forward in the second term followed by a kick to the hotspot inside 50 was her standout contribution, and she showed real persistence in the final term – winning it on a handball under pressure, thumping a kick down the line and pushing up to win it again at the next stoppage before driving it inside 50. Always working to find ways to surge the ball forward.

#35 Caitlin Hardin (Midfielder)

Stats: 13 disposals, 7 tackles, 6 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

Hardin is one player suited to the wet conditions and battled hard against a strong South Adelaide midfield. She competed well all day – winning free kicks for going in hard, driving inside 50 repeatedly and cracking in hard around the stoppages. She was used across multiple roles, starting on-ball before moving forward, and kept finding the contest regardless of where she was stationed. A player whose work rate and competitiveness are becoming a hallmark and her contested ability is undoubted.

SOUTH ADELAIDE:

#8 Hope Taylor (Forward)

Stats: 2 disposals, 1 tackle

While being a South Adelaide forward is usually a benefit, Taylor saw minimal inside 50 looks and therefore struggled to get involved in the game. The classy talent had a clean handball off the deck in the final term which lead to a goal, but ultimately only had the two touches in a raw down game for the Panthers.

#20 Layla Vizgaudis (Midfielder)

Stats: 23 disposals, 2 marks, 5 tackles, 6 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

Another strong showing from Vizgaudis, who had 19 disposals by three-quarter time and was again the Panthers’ most consistent ball-winner. Six clearances reflected her dominance at the stoppages, and a clean mark in defensive 50 converted with a precise short chip in the third term showed her composure. She was tackled immediately on multiple occasions – a tribute to how carefully North Adelaide was monitoring her – but continued to find the ball and release cleanly regardless. Really building a nice top-age season start and showed she can impact even with Charlton back in the side.

#25 Emma Charlton (Midfielder)

Stats: 22 disposals, 3 marks, 11 tackles, 7 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

A superb return from Charlton in her first game back from injury with an all-round performance. She was dominant through the stoppages from the first term, showing elite clean hands off the defensive side of the wing and tremendous pressure acts throughout. No doubt the Panthers fans and coaches held their collective breaths each time Charlton was dragged down or she dragged someone else down. North Adelaide was watching her very carefully by the final term – multiple opponents gathering around the stoppages to stop her run – which is the greatest tribute to her impact. It was amazing to see her pick up where she left off last season.

#60 Marley Tape (Defender)

Stats: 15 disposals, 5 marks, 5 tackles, 2 clearances, 1 inside 50, 3 rebound 50s

Tape continues to quietly go about her business really well, and she actually found her fair share of the ball in the loss. Her best sequence came in the second term – a clever piece of play winning it in traffic, handballing off, winning it back and chipping to safety with real composure and vision. She pushed up to mark just outside 50 in the third term and delivered to the hotspot, showing her attacking dimension. Consistent, smart and reliable with neat skills, Tape is looming like a key piece for South Adelaide out of the back half.

WEST ADELAIDE:

#4 Emily Mableson (Midfielder)

Stats: 8 disposals, 10 tackles, 1 clearance, 2 rebound 50s

A quieter disposal day for Mableson but 10 tackles tells the real story – she was relentless in her defensive pressure work throughout, never stopping chasing and competing even when the ball wasn’t finding her. The National Academy member still possessed her elite composure, slowing the game down around her and making good decisions with ball in hand. She spun out of trouble effectively in the first term and continued to provide the defensive pressure that makes her such a valuable midfielder even when the production numbers are a little lower.

#24 Chelsea Newitt (Forward)

Stats: 9 disposals, 3 marks (1 contested), 7 tackles, 1 clearance, 2 inside 50s, 1 goal

Looked dangerous inside 50 and also gave as good as she got by laying seven tackles in that forward role. Her goal in the third term was a lovely finish, and she competed hard in every contest – a big tackle inside 50 in the final term and an unlucky smothered shot from 40 metres late were the moments that encapsulated her relentless approach. A strong aerialist, Newitt is one who is steadily improving and looms as a dark horse for this year’s AFLW Draft.

#30 Sarah Deed (Forward)

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

Deed had a big second quarter and built through the game until leaving the field late in the final term after a tackle from Swan – the bottom-ager helped off under her own steam and one to monitor. She had 13 disposals by half-time operating through the midfield and showed her contested quality throughout – a great burst from the defensive 50 to drive the ball to the wing was her best first-half moment. She pushed forward effectively in the third term and was strong in the air with a contested mark. Really pressing on and having a strong start to the 2026 season.

STURT:

#7 Lily Whiteman (Forward/Midfielder)

Stats: 12 disposals, 1 mark, 9 tackles, 2 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s

Whiteman hunted the ball relentlessly from the first term, covering the ground and competing hard in both directions. Her mark in defensive 50 in the final term and kick into the middle was her cleanest ball use, and she showed quick hands in the middle throughout when she got the chance. Has that touch of class that emerges even when she is not winning a stack of it

#21 Skout Young (Forward)

Stats: 5 disposals, 1 mark, 1 tackle, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50, 1 rebound 50

Young was competitive from the start – a strong tackle in the fourth minute and quick hands at half-forward in the first term – and was neat with ball in hand, able to hit up Nuss well in the third term with a nice kick to the half-forward. Limited opportunities to fully stamp her mark but showing no ill effects from the injury.

#28 Erin Conn (Defender)

Stats: 2 disposals, 1 tackle

On debut. Attacked the ball hard at half-back early, and also laid a good tackle later on to show her defensive application. Limited touches but the attitude on debut was promising.

#36 Madeline Nuss (Forward)

Stats: 10 disposals, 3 marks (1 contested), 3 tackles, 1 clearance, 3 inside 50s, 1 behind

Nuss had chances across the day without quite converting – a tight-angle mark in the pocket in the final term where a 50-metre penalty could have been awarded was her best opportunity – but her contested mark on the wing and consistent forward presence were positives. Her strong hands at ground level off the bounce in the first term showed her ability to extract quickly, and she was a willing target inside 50 throughout. The finishing will come as her bottom-age campaign continues.

NORWOOD:

#8 Lani Cocks (Midfielder)

Stats: 26 disposals, 2 marks, 7 tackles, 7 clearances, 10 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 1 goal

The standout individual performance of the round. A total of 10 inside 50s and seven clearances from 26 disposals is an elite return, and Cocks produced moments of genuine brilliance throughout such as a remarkable pickup off the deck that she converted into a handball to herself before running onto it and kicking inside 50 in the first term. She showed her class in the front half as well, snapping a goal after dropping the mark, picking it up in one movement, spinning and slamming it home off a step, which showed the composure of a top-quality player. She drove inside 50 consistently all day, was competitive in every contest against Fielder and finished with a huge smother in the final term to deny a potential scoring chain. One of the top prospects in next year’s AFLW Draft, and Round 3 was another compelling exhibit of why.

#14 Kate Alexander (Ruck/Forward)

Stats: 9 disposals, 1 mark, 3 tackles, 11 hitouts, 4 clearances, 2 inside 50s

Alexander was reliable in the ruck against a succession of opponents and contributed with four clearances to go with her hitout return – a consistent theme of her season. Her clean tap down in the third term was decisive, and she showed composure rotating through multiple positions including a clean intercept mark in defence with a neat lateral pass. She gave away a couple of free kicks in marking contests – late holds that came off her physical approach – but her overall ruck craft and follow-up work were sound.

#18 Charlee Brooksby (Wing)

Stats: 12 disposals, 3 marks, 3 tackles, 1 clearance, 3 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

Brooksby was tidy and industrious on the wing, with three marks and three tackles reflecting her two-way contribution. She was clean with ball in hand and had her usual offensive output, but was also consistent defensively. She did make a couple of rare skill blunders when kicking it out of bounds on the full twice when under pressure, but her overall work ethic and delivery into dangerous areas was consistent.

#21 Elke Cameron (Midfielder/Forward)

Stats: 11 disposals, 1 tackle, 1 clearance, 3 inside 50s, 1 behind

Cameron was unlucky not to have more to show from a game where she drove inside 50 consistently and competed hard. She had a chance on goal that just just fell short but lead directly to a goal to Mykaela Walker. She moved well through the middle in the third term and kept finding ways to drive the ball inside 50. The effort and attitude were consistently good throughout.

GLENELG:

#6 Georgie Fielder (Midfielder)

Stats: 22 disposals, 4 marks, 6 tackles, 4 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

Fielder went head-to-head with Cocks across three quarters and competed admirably in a matchup between two of the top young stars in the competition. She had 12 disposals by half-time and was clean at ground level throughout – including multiple clean handball extractions from defensive 50 under immediate pressure. Her contest-to-contest work was no better exemplified than in the last term when she took a strong mark on the wing and then followed up down the ground to win another couple of touches and keep surging it forward.

#18 Charlotte O’Sullivan (Forward)

Stats: 2 disposals, 1 mark, 1 tackle, 1 inside 50

Had very limited chances inside 50, but O’Sullivan’s one genuine moment was quality – a lovely mark at the top of 50 in the first term and a set shot from 35 metres that just fell short showed her instinct when the ball came her way. A big tackle on Cocks in the final term showed she kept working hard in a small role.

#32 Tori Evans (Defender)

Stats: 7 disposals, 2 marks, 5 tackles, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50, 2 rebound 50s

Evans was competitive and physical across the defensive half, with five tackles reflecting her willingness to go hard at every contest. Her critical one-on-one wins in the first term to clear from danger set the tone, and she showed good aerial and ground-level work in tight situations throughout. A set shot in the final term after pushing up to mark at half-forward just fell short, but her transition from defence to attack reflected growing confidence in her role. Continuing to build solid defensive credentials.