ROUND 5 of the SANFLW produced another absorbing weekend of action as the competition’s State Academy contingent continued to press their cases. We took note of how each of the Academy members performed across the four games.

All notes are the opinion of the individual author.

STURT:

#7 Lily Whiteman (Forward/Midfielder)

Stats: 10 disposals, 4 marks, 10 tackles, 1 inside 50, 1 rebound 50

The classy left-footer played her role and was particularly noticeable defensively, laying double-digit tackles around the ground. She pushed back to help out the defence and took a few of her marks behind the ball and her vision and composure with ball in hand really stood out. Is not a huge accumulator, but usually makes her possessions count.

#21 Skout Young (Forward)

Stats: 9 disposals, 2 marks, 4 tackles, 2 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 1 behind

Worked hard up and down the ground coming out of attack, and applied plenty of defensive pressure while having chances herself. Left a couple of opportunities out there with some close range snaps but also kept presenting and being a target in attack. Has been a contributor to Sturt’s attack this season, and was one of the more unlucky ones to be squeezed out of the South Australian squad announced this week.

#36 Madeline Nuss (Forward)

Stats: 7 disposals, 3 marks, 1 clearance, 2 inside 50s, 2 goals, 1 behind

Nuss has been a revelation in attack this season and yet again hit the scoreboard multiple times to make it four lots of two goals from five games. She does apply pressure to the opposition, and forced the talented Leslie to fumble close to goal which enabled Nuss to pounce, then was quick on the scene to the loose ball to snap in an instant and make it two.

CENTRAL DISTRICT:

#3 Miyu Endersby (Ruck/Defender)

Stats: 16 disposals, 4 marks (2 contested), 5 tackles, 43 hitouts, 3 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 4 rebound 50s

Arguably her performance of the season, with Endersby building a really nice formline heading into the national championships. Playing predominantly ruck, but drifting back into the defensive hole when required, Endersby showed great confidence in flight, clunking a number of strong marks. Her goal-saving tap on the goalline in the second term was brilliant defensive play, and her reading of the ball was second to none. Without a doubt will cause a few states issues at the national championships, but will also spend a lot of time in defence.

#9 Charlotte Maurits (Forward)

Stats: 8 disposals, 2 marks, 3 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 1 goal, 1 behind

Similarly classy to Whiteman, Maurits provided one of the highlights of the match with a tight-angled set shot from the boundary. It was Central’s only goal of the day and gave the Bulldogs a little spark in what was an otherwise inaccurate game for the visitors. She has had bigger games in terms of production, but Maurits always looks lively and applies pressure in the front half of the ground to match her forward craft.

#15 Olivia Leslie (Defender)

Stats: 7 disposals, 2 marks (1 contested), 1 tackle, 1 inside 50

It was a tough day for the talented Leslie who realistically did not do much wrong, but just found herself with a couple of moments that her opponent Nuss pounced on. Outside of Nuss’ two goals, Leslie played her on-brand style of aggressive intercepting, and got better as the game went on as well. Got run-down by Georgia King on the wing in the fourth term, but continued to take the game on.

#18 Demi Holloway (Forward/Midfielder)

Stats: 6 disposals, 5 tackles, 2 clearances

Bringing the pressure to her role in the front half, Holloway was clean with ball in hand and reads it well around stoppages. She is small but tough, and while not winning a lot of it again, adds non-negotiables to the contest. Has the versatility that appeals to any side.

#19 Amalia Musolino (Defender)

Stats: 8 disposals, 2 marks, 4 rebound 50s

Consolidated her place in the team after her debut in Round 4 and just bobbed up with some important driving balls out of the back half. She applied an eye-catching bump in the third term to win a one-on-one and then clear to the wing, while also taking kick-ins which was a big plus for such a young player.

#21 Izabella Nisbet (Midfielder/Defender)

Stats: 15 disposals, 3 marks (1 contested), 4 tackles, 4 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s, 2 behinds

Nisbet’s first half was outstanding as the Central District second gamer racked up 12 disposals and was able to work well through the middle and drop back to assist in defence. She has some great vision and had a couple of gettable set shots that just fell short including one poster and one that was touched on the line. Brings fierce tenacity to the coalface, and will be a name to remember in years to come thanks to her production rates.

NORWOOD:

#8 Lani Cocks (Midfielder)

Stats: 20 disposals, 3 marks, 5 tackles, 2 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

North Adelaide was very aware of Cocks’ work around the stoppage given the bottom-ager’s footy IQ and burst from congestion, so ensured there was an arm on her as much as possible in those situations. Cocks showed why she has more than just stoppage craft those, creating up and down the field and attempting to run opponent’s off their feet. Her eyes lit up in the last term when sprinting towards goal but was run-down, a rare error in an otherwise strong display including a brilliant tackle herself on the speedy Aprille Crooks.

#14 Kate Alexander (Ruck/Forward)

Stats: 10 disposals, 1 mark (1 contested), 1 tackle, 11 hitouts, 2 clearances, 3 inside 50s

Found a little more of the ball around the ground and rotated forward to be a target as well, and while she only clunked the one mark – that was contested mind you – her follow-up work from the initial ruck tap was good. A lot of her touches came from quick dishes off, but Alexander always competed well and will likely start ruck for South Australia at the national carnival.

#21 Elke Cameron (Midfielder/Forward)

Stats: 11 disposals, 3 marks, 8 tackles, 1 clearance, 2 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 1 behind

Building a nice start to her top-age season, Cameron has the athletic traits that catch the eye, while also being a terrific two-way runner. She will bring the heat in the contest and out in the open, while also having the knack to create separation and generally make good decisions with ball in hand. Can still round out her game across the board, but is developing nicely and knows where to be to get involved in transition.

#24 Ella Anderson (Defender)

Stats: 18 disposals, 3 marks, 4 tackles, 3 rebound 50s

Stood tall with the game on the line, having eight of her 17 disposals in the final term. Even prior to that, Anderson was lively, proactively charging out of defence, or settling the side down when required to showcase the maturity beyond her years. Her candy selling late in the third quarter was terrific, and her contest to contest work – particularly late in the game where she was responsible taking it from defence to attack – was very good. One of the better Norwood players on the day.

NORTH ADELAIDE:

#5 Polly Turner (Forward)

Stats: 8 disposals, 3 marks (1 contested), 3 tackles, 1 inside 50

Turner played forward and had some moments through the first half where she presented and looked dangerous. While her dish off to Crooks almost gave her a goal assist, she finished term one on the bench after copping a tough knock to the hip. Returned in quarter two and clunked a couple of really confident grabs, and while she didn’t hit the scoreboard – and even had a few marking attempts not work out – was a focal point for the Roosters.

#14 Maya Fuller (Wing)

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

It was one of those games where Fuller just couldn’t get her hands on the ball. Often caught on the ‘quiet’ wing, she only amassed four touches, but still laid a few tackles. Her last touch free at half-forward in the first term was a highlight, and though she got a lot of kilometres in through the game, was just not rewarded on the stats sheet.

#35 Caitlin Hardin (Midfielder/Forward)

Stats: 18 disposals, 1 mark, 4 tackles, 3 clearances, 4 inside 50s

Busy throughout the four quarters and set up a goal to Crooks in the third term, while continually running hard out of the middle. Hardin covers the ground exceptionally well with quick hands and a natural toughness to her game. The level she has set for herself is quite high and it was one of those performances that continued to meet that bar, and her role within the Roosters lineup is important.

SOUTH ADELAIDE:

#8 Hope Taylor (Forward)

Stats: 10 disposals, 3 marks, 4 tackles, 1 inside 50, 3 goals, 1 behind

The ultra-classy Taylor was the finisher yet again, booting three goals in the Panthers’ big win. Her majors came in different fashions, but ultimately from natural forward craft – be it a mark, intercept or crumb – and she is firing on all cylinders the last couple of games since having a quiet game prior to that. Had a good chance for a fourth late in the first half as well, with her clean hands, footy IQ and skills all on display. While Taylor’s offensive impact has never been doubted, her ability to get up the ground and work hard defensively was a massive tick.

#20 Layla Vizgaudis (Midfielder)

Stats: 32 disposals, 1 mark, 5 tackles, 7 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 1 goal

Eyebrows were raised last year when Vizgaudis missed out on the Under 17 Futures selection and she is showing exactly why. Her form in 2026 has been nothing short of scintillating and undoubtedly will have six league best and fairest votes from her past couple of games. Not only is Vizgaudis finding more of the ball and showing her skills and smarts, but she is convering more possessions into scores. Not just herself, having kicked one, but she handed off multiple goal assists in the first half, and the level of confidence she is showing is sensational. Even in the final minute of the match, she beat the far taller Jemima Woods in a one-on-one contest by bringing it to ground then bursting away to kick to the pocket.

#25 Emma Charlton (Midfielder)

Stats: 22 disposals, 1 mark, 10 tackles, 10 clearances, 1 rebound 50

Incredible that a player of Charlton’s calibre is riding shotgun to the in-form Vizgaudis, but the potential pick one candidate is shrugging off opponents left, right and centre as they watch her around the contest. Spent significant time going head-to-head with fellow top-ager Mableson, and while Charlton’s impact on the scoreboard was not as high, her 10 clearances and 10 tackles showed just how she found the ball despite being under immense pressure. Clean hands and a brilliant first-possession winning showcase.

#60 Marley Tape (Defender)

Stats: 5 disposals, 1 mark, 3 tackles

Arguably it’s a good thing when Tape does not win much of the ball because she plays that lockdown defence role. Pressured her opponents up the field and even crossed paths with Newitt who struggled to have an impact. Tape took a nice intercept mark early in the third term, and those her usually effective foot skills fell a little short, she followed up well to ensure no harm was done. Worked up to the wing at times too, tracking opponents further afield.

WEST ADELAIDE:

#4 Emily Mableson (Midfielder)

Stats: 19 disposals, 1 mark, 9 tackles, 3 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s

Behind Zoe Venning was the next best Blood, and Mableson is so damaging with ball in hand. The way she cruises out of a stoppage or can weight her handball over her head under pressure to a free teammate on the outside are such staples in her game. Had a great battle with both Charlton and Vizgaudis at different times, and while the others took the chocolates from the win, Mableson did nothing wrong and continued to apply pressure, trying to limit the impact of the young stars. Needed more help in doing so, but is firming as another top-end South Australian talent.

#24 Chelsea Newitt (Forward)

Stats: 3 disposals, 6 tackles

Newitt has had a good season to start her top-age year, so can just put a line through a game where she lacked opportunities and could not make the mark she would have liked in the contest. One big tick was her defensive pressure – still laying half a dozen touches – while also presenting consistently.

GLENELG:

#16 Maya Vonarx (Forward/Midfielder)

Stats: 7 disposals, 2 marks (1 contested), 2 tackles, 1 clearance, 1 rebound 50

The double bottom-ager had her moments in the match, but ultimately could not have as much impact as the round before, competing hard at ground level and also clunking a really strong mark amongst her highlights. Vonarx has a bright future coming out of the 16s program, and should get some more midfield minutes as the season goes on as well.

#19 Charlotte O’Sullivan (Forward)

Stats: 2 disposals, 1 tackle

It was a tough day out for ht enaturally gifted O’Sullivan who simply couldn’t get her hands on it. She won a couple of handballs inside 50 and laid a tackle in the front half, but ultimately the ball just did not come to her. It was more of a day for Eloise Mackereth who returned to form with four goals, but the bottom-aged O’Sullivan continued to buzz around and provide energy in the forward 50.

#27 Tori Evans (Defender)

Stats: 19 disposals, 5 marks, 1 tackle, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50, 5 rebound 50s

Evans’ start to the season had been good, but this was another level again. No doubt a thorn in opposing coach Narelle Smith‘s side, Evans was an intercepting machine, and she continually bobbed up at half-back or in aerial contests to take it and stream away. The biggest thing was the bottom-ager’s confidence at the level, looking more comfortable than ever, and while she did give away a couple of 25m penalties at times, her work off the ball and with it, was very impressive.

WOODVILLE-WEST TORRENS:

#4 Julia Faulkner (Forward/Midfielder)

Stats: 17 disposals, 3 marks (1 contested), 7 tackles, 2 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

Faulkner was lively across the four quarters, once more showcasing the value she adds as a contributing half-forward who can roll through the midfield. She set up numerous scoring chances, applied constant defensive pressure, and never took a backwards step. Each time she went near it, Faulkner looked like having some sort of impact. Her ability to show her strength and stand up in tackles and provide clean hands, while also blocking for her teammates and doing all the one percenters was fantastic. A really valuable and impactful game.

#15 Lucy Moore (Midfielder)

Stats: 20 disposals, 2 marks, 8 tackles, 2 clearances, 8 inside 50s

Moore works well in tandem with Faulkner as two similar but very different players at the same time. Moore’s pressure is just as high, and she actually had three direct goal assists with brilliant passes inside 50. While not at the clearance numbers she is capable of, Moore seemed to have a greater impact in transition instead, and still racked up the ball with ease using it well by hand or foot. A smart and speedy player whose usual inside dominance was more an outside one in Round 5.

#22 Anika Tran (Forward)

Stats: 8 disposals, 4 tackles, 1 clearance, 2 inside 50s, 1 goal, 2 behinds

The double bottom-ager made her debut, and while Tran stands at just 149cm, showed why she can fit in at League level. Her explosive speed, classy left foot and defensive pressure were all highlights, with a couple of near misses – and a low kick that was on target but marked by Klaudia O’Neill in the goalsquare – were followed by an eventual goal off a one-two with her finish a nice exclamation mark on a memorable first game.

#36 Ruby Lynch (Midfielder/Forward)

Stats: 21 disposals, 5 marks (1 contested), 5 tackles, 3 clearances, 5 inside 50s

One of Lynch’s better games, particularly in the first term where the ball just kept finding her. The tall, athletic left-footer was prominent throughout that term, and while it was her biggest of the game, she still found ways to impact throughout the game. Her aerial ability followed by wheeling onto her raking left helped clear the ball further afield, and she is not afraid to take the game on with her run and carry too. One of the better Eagles in the win, with all the Woodville-West Torrens State Academy members making their presence felt.