NORTH Adelaide top-age AFLW Draft prospect Polly Turner played arguably her best game of the season on the weekend. In a stunning 33-point upset victory over ladder leaders Woodville-West Torrens, the Roosters kept their finals dreams well and truly alive in Round 10 of the SANFLW season. Turner was instrumental in the win, showcasing her immense talent and and aerial strength.

The imposing forward/defender amassed 20 disposals, six marks (three contested), laid five tackles, and booted two goals while providing six inside 50s. Her performance demonstrated not only her aerial prowess but also her exceptional ground-level pressure and clean hands in traffic.

BACKGROUND

Height: 176cm
DOB: 16/01/2008
Position: Tall Utility
Clubs: North Adelaide / Hectorville

Growing up playing football alongside her two brothers, Turner initially balanced footy with basketball before committing entirely to the oval ball after an invitation to join the Under 16s state program. She played for Hectorville before making the move to North Adelaide, where she quickly made an impression, earning the club’s Best First Year Player award.

Turner carries significant football pedigree as the daughter of former North Adelaide and AFL player Peter Turner. Consequently, she is eligible as a father-daughter prospect for both Adelaide and Carlton, and is currently a member of the Crows Academy. She models her game on former Crow now Suns star Anne Hatchard, aiming to emulate her power, aggressiveness, and competitiveness.

Possessing strong hands above her head and a booming kick, Turner’s basketball background is evident in her high footy IQ and her ability to weave through traffic. Her Round 10 performance against the Eagles was a prime example of why she is considered one of South Australia’s top prospects for the 2026 AFLW Draft.

PLAYER FOCUS

Stats vs. Woodville-West Torrens, Round 10: 20 disposals, 6 marks (3 contested), 5 tackles, 6 inside 50s, 2 goals, 1 behind.

QUARTER ONE

Turner was active early, working hard on the wing to present as an option. While she had a few “almost touches” in the opening stages, her intent was clear. At the 12-minute mark, she bustled the ball forward, and shortly after, she presented up on the wing; although she couldn’t quite hold the mark, her follow-up tackle was excellent.

Her defensive work rate was rewarded at the 17-minute mark when she won a holding the ball free kick at half-back, driving a long kick down the wing to a contest. Her defining moment of the term came late, taking a brilliant one-on-one mark against Tahlita Buethke. From 25 metres out, she confidently converted the set shot for her first goal, finishing the opening quarter with six disposals.

QUARTER TWO

The second quarter saw Turner continuing to link up play between the arcs. Early in the term, she gathered at half-forward but was immediately tackled by Marie Martino. Undeterred, she won a free kick for being blocked at the eight-and-a-half-minute mark, sending the ball inside 50 to a dangerous contest.

She continued to show clean hands, providing a quick dish-off to Caitlin Hardin, who was unfortunately run down. Turner’s presence was felt in marking contests on the forward side of the wing, where she brought the ball to ground and distributed it effectively. Her defensive pressure shone brightly when she executed a brilliant run-down tackle on Annie Falkenberg at half-forward, following it up with a lovely, precise short pass to skipper Amber Ward.

QUARTER THREE

After the main break, Turner’s versatility was on full display. Starting at a ruck stoppage inside 50, she gathered the ball but was quickly locked up. At the very next stoppage, operating more as a traditional midfielder, she won the clearance and dumped the ball deep inside 50.

Her aerial dominance emerged at the eight-minute mark with a strong one-on-one mark on the wing, which she followed up by thumping the ball deep to the hotspot. She found space again at the 10-and-a-half-minute mark, marking on the boundary near the behind post. Attempting an ambitious checkside shot, the ball drifted across the face and hit the opposite behind post. She remained involved late in the term, executing quick hands near the boundary on the wing to reach 14 disposals by three-quarter time.

QUARTER FOUR

If the first three quarters highlighted her forward craft and accumulation, the final term underscored her endurance and game sense. She started the quarter with a great gather on the wing, showing incredibly clean hands before getting the ball back and executing a nice, effective short kick down the line.

At the seven-minute mark, Turner found crucial space in the corridor, marking 35 metres out from goal. Following great delivery from her teammates, she went back and slotted her second goal of the game. She continued to threaten inside 50, taking a mark at the 11-minute mark, though she was caught holding the ball after electing to play on.

She had another opportunity to hit the scoreboard at the 14-and-a-half-minute mark after winning a free kick 35 metres out directly in front, but her shot hit the post on the way through. Her defensive tenacity never wavered, laying another brilliant run-down tackle at the 16-minute mark. She capped off a stellar performance with a strong mark out in front at half-forward in the 18th minute, delivering the ball perfectly to the hotspot.

CONCLUSION

Polly Turner’s 20-disposal, six-mark, and two-goal performance against Woodville-West Torrens was a masterclass in versatility and impact. What makes Turner such an exciting prospect is her complete package: the imposing contested marking, the clean hands at ground level, the high footy IQ to find space, and the relentless defensive pressure to lock the ball in.

Her ability to seamlessly transition between a marking target inside 50, a rebounding presence at half-back, and a clearance-winner at stoppages highlights her immense value to North Adelaide. As she continues to refine her endurance and consistency, Turner is undeniably building a compelling case for a high selection in the 2026 AFLW Draft.