ROUND 13 of the 2026 SANFL Women’s season produced another competitive weekend of action, with the State Academy contingent continuing to build their draft stocks across the four games. We took note of how each of the Academy members performed in the latest round of action.

All notes are the opinion of the individual author.

WWT EAGLES:

#4 Julia Faulkner (Forward/Midfielder)

Stats: 20 disposals, 2 tackles, 6 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

Faulkner was at her clean, composed best, accumulating 20 disposals across all four quarters with a consistency that reflected her high football IQ. She is one of the better off-ball players in the competition, constantly presenting as an option and making smart decisions under pressure – her ability to get hands away in tight situations and find teammates in space was a feature throughout. Her defensive work was also on show, with a fantastic smother in the forward pocket to lock the ball up one of her best individual moments.

#7 Maia Freemantle (Midfielder)

Stats: 26 disposals, 2 marks (1 contested), 8 tackles, 5 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

Freemantle was outstanding and it marked her best game of the season, having had her fair share of interruptions between a concussion and state football. She was leading all players on the ground with nine disposals at quarter-time and never let her foot off the pedal, combining relentless pressure with clean, purposeful ball use. Her lateral movement and ability to find space and drive the ball inside 50 consistently were the defining features of a performance that is becoming the standard she sets for herself week on week.

#15 Lucy Moore (Midfielder/Forward)

Stats: 22 disposals, 2 marks, 6 tackles, 9 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 1 behind

Moore was a dominant force through the stoppages, winning nine clearances in another elite inside performance. She combined fierce tackling pressure with clean hands and smart decision-making, consistently emerging from congestion and driving the ball forward with purpose. Her ability to win the ball in multiple ways – from the ruck tap, off the deck, and in space – and her relentless two-way running make her one of the most complete midfielders in the competition, and 2026 has been a season that has firmly cemented her status as a top draft prospect.

#22 Anika Tran (Forward)

Stats: 14 disposals, 2 marks, 2 tackles, 2 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 2 behinds

Tran was dangerous and lively inside 50, buzzing around the forward pocket and creating opportunities with her burst speed and quick hands. She was unlucky not to hit the scoreboard – a couple of shots took awkward bounces and stayed in – but her ability to shrug tacklers and get boot to ball from tight angles is a genuine weapon. A player who is a constant threat whenever the ball finds her in the forward half.

#33 Kayla Ilett (Forward)

Stats: 8 disposals, 1 mark (1 contested), 2 tackles, 1 inside 50, 2 behinds

Ilett is continuing to adjust to the pace of the SANFLW, and her second game for the Eagles showed some encouraging signs. She competed strongly in the air and at ground level, and her handball assist to set up a Ruby Matthews shot in the final term showed her awareness and team-first instincts. She was unlucky not to hit the scoreboard herself, missing a couple of shots, but the NT Academy member is building her game at this level and her athletic traits are clear.

#36 Ruby Lynch (Midfielder/Ruck)

Stats: 17 disposals, 2 marks, 1 hitout, 5 clearances, 4 inside 50s

Lynch was a consistent presence through the middle, winning five clearances and driving the ball inside 50 on four occasions. She showed her vision with a lovely short pass into the pocket for Brianna Walling and good hands to Moore at half-back, and her intercept mark in the final term was a highlight. A player who continues to contribute in multiple ways regardless of her role on any given day.

GLENELG:

#6 Georgie Fielder (Midfielder)

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

Fielder had a tougher day against a strong Eagles midfield, but her four clearances and four rebound 50s reflected a player who kept competing and contributing at both ends. She went head-to-head with Moore from the opening bounce and showed her defensive application with a strong tackle on Freemantle in the third term. A player whose competitive instincts never waver even when the opposition has the better of the contest.

#16 Maya Vonarx (Defender/Midfielder)

Stats: 8 disposals, 1 mark, 2 tackles, 1 inside 50, 1 rebound 50

Vonarx showed her versatility again, spending time in defence and rotating on-ball to match up on Freemantle when the Eagles midfielder was dominating. Her best moment was a brilliant piece of one-on-one bodywork on the wing in the third term to intercept and kick to a half-forward contest. The Under 16s representative continues to show she can play in any number of roles.

#32 Tori Evans (Defender/Forward)

Stats: 13 disposals, 6 marks (1 contested), 3 tackles, 1 inside 50, 4 rebound 50s, 1 goal, 1 behind

Evans had one of her best games of the season, starting in defence on Faulkner before being thrown forward in the second half as an additional marking target – a role she took to with real confidence. She took six marks across the game, including a strong intercept mark going back with the flight at the top of the defensive 50 that she converted for a goal from 30 metres out. Her ability to contribute at both ends of the ground is a genuine asset, and her versatility is becoming one of the most appealing features of her draft profile.

CENTRAL DISTRICT:

#3 Miyu Endersby (Ruck)

Stats: 15 disposals, 7 marks (1 contested), 2 tackles, 32 hitouts, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50, 6 rebound 50s

Endersby was dominant in the ruck once again, winning 32 hitouts and combining her tap work with an impressive seven marks – many of them intercept grabs in defence. She dropped back into the defensive 50 to take intercept marks and switch play, and her ability to read the ball in flight and position herself to intercept is a trait that goes well beyond what you’d expect from a conventional ruck. Another commanding performance from one of the most sought-after prospects in this year’s AFLW Draft.

#18 Demi Holloway (Forward)

Stats: 6 disposals, 2 marks, 4 tackles

Holloway applied fierce pressure with four tackles and showed her competitive instincts pushing up to the middle to win the hard ball. She took a sliding mark on the wing in the third term and showed clean hands under pressure when she got the ball. A quieter day by the numbers, but her pressure and follow-up work were consistent throughout.

#19 Amalia Musolino (Defender)

Stats: 11 disposals, 4 marks (2 contested), 2 tackles, 4 rebound 50s

Musolino had one of her better games of the season, taking four marks including a huge contested grab in the defensive 50 in the second term that she followed up with a neat lateral pass. She showed her aggressive intercepting instincts throughout and competed well in the air in one-on-one situations. A player who is quietly building a strong body of work in the back half.

STURT:

#7 Lily Whiteman (Midfielder)

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

Whiteman started on the bench but made an impact when she rotated on-ball, showing her clean left foot and quick hands in tight situations. She was effective linking up through the middle with a couple of sharp one-two handball combinations, and her composure under pressure when getting the ball away on the wing was a consistent feature. A player who makes her touches count even when the opportunities are limited.

#36 Madeline Nuss (Forward)

Stats: 11 disposals, 4 marks, 2 inside 50s, 3 goals, 1 behind

Nuss was at her brilliant, instinctive best, kicking three goals in a performance that showcased the natural goal sense that makes her such an exciting forward prospect. Her first came from a lead-out mark before she got goalside and slotted it, her second from a handball receive running in from 15 metres, and her third from a mark five metres out that she played on and converted. She is a player who finds the ball in the right spots at the right times, and three goals from 11 disposals is the kind of return that continues to build a compelling bottom-age case.

WEST ADELAIDE:

#4 Emily Mableson (Midfielder)

Stats: 23 disposals, 9 tackles, 5 clearances, 7 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

Mableson was relentless across all four quarters, combining 23 disposals and nine tackles with seven inside 50s in a performance that reflected everything that saw her earn the South Australian MVP. She was clean and purposeful with the ball – her low bullet pass to Blethyn close to goal in the third term was a highlight of her elite delivery – and her defensive intensity never dropped, including a great tackle on Cocks in the defensive 50 in the final term to win a free kick. A player who continues to set the benchmark.

#18 Scarlett Blethyn (Forward)

Stats: 4 disposals, 1 mark

Blethyn presented well inside 50 and showed her athleticism and contest work, including a strong chest mark in the forward pocket that eventually led to a Stevie-Lee Thompson goal. She was nudged off the ball in a one-on-one close to goal in the third term and missed a set shot from 25 metres that was rushed through, but the physical presence and competitive instincts are consistent features of her game. Still developing her finishing, but the intent is always there.

#24 Chelsea Newitt (Forward)

Stats: 13 disposals, 4 marks (1 contested), 10 tackles, 2 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 2 goals

Newitt was outstanding, laying 10 tackles in a performance that reflected a player who never stops competing. She got on the board in the first term with a clever goal – bringing the momentum with her to win a push in the back free from 15 metres and converting – and her combination of aerial ability and fierce ground-level pressure made her a constant handful. Double-digit tackles from a forward is an outstanding effort, particularly one who usually finds her fair share of the ball as well.

NORWOOD:

#8 Lani Cocks (Midfielder/Forward)

Stats: 20 disposals, 4 tackles, 6 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 1 behind

Cocks was back to her best after the tag she absorbed last week, winning six clearances and covering the ground relentlessly from one end to the other. She showed her class breaking out of the half-forward stoppage to find Sophie Arkun for a brilliant goal in the third term, and her ability to compete hard and find ways to impact the game even when the opposition is doing everything to stop her is a hallmark of an elite player. Her match-levelling behind off a high free kick in the dying seconds summed up a player who never stops competing.

#14 Kate Alexander (Forward/Ruck)

Stats: 11 disposals, 4 marks (1 contested), 4 tackles, 26 hitouts, 2 clearances, 1 inside 50, 2 rebound 50s, 1 goal

Alexander had a strong all-round game, rotating between forward and ruck and impacting in both roles. She spent more time in the ruck – particularly throughout the second half – and her goal in the final term – winning a free kick 25 metres out and converting – was a reward for her persistent contest work. Her strong intercept mark at half-forward in the first term followed by a neat inside 50 kick to ruck partner Amy Gaedtke was another highlight, and she continues to build her game as a genuine dual-position threat.

#21 Elke Cameron (Forward/Midfielder)

Stats: 14 disposals, 1 mark, 9 tackles, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50, 2 rebound 50s

Cameron’s nine tackles were the standout feature of her day, as the top-ager competed ferociously without the ball and makes life difficult for opponents at every contest. She also got on the scoreboard in the second term, slotting Norwood’s first goal off a handball receive from Gaedtke, and covered the ground well across multiple roles including a stint tagging Zoe Venning. A player whose defensive intensity is becoming one of the most consistent features of her season.

#24 Ella Anderson (Defender)

Stats: 8 disposals, 1 tackle, 3 rebound 50s

Anderson covered the ground well and contributed three rebound 50s in a quieter day by the numbers. She pushed up to the wing and drove the ball long from the back pocket on multiple occasions, and her composure with the ball in hand was a consistent feature. Still building her game at this level as a double bottom-ager.

#37 Mia Wood (Wing)

Stats: 19 disposals, 2 marks, 7 tackles, 4 clearances, 1 inside 50, 1 rebound 50

The Under 16s All-Australian and Norwood Under 18s best and fairest winner showed exactly why she is one of the most exciting double bottom-agers in the competition, producing a 19-disposal, seven-tackle performance from the wing that reflected her elite two-way running and competitive intensity. While known more as a mid-forward, her switch to the wing gave the Redlegs something different to look at, and Wood looked really comfortable with some outside freedom too. A player who is only going to get better, and her versatility is massive tick.

SOUTH ADELAIDE:

#1 Jaidee-Lee Shortridge (Forward)

Stats: 7 disposals, 1 mark, 1 tackle, 1 clearance

A quieter day for Shortridge, who found it difficult to get clean possession in a tight contest. She showed her pressure and competitive instincts pushing up the ground and applying a strong tackle inside 50 to lock the ball up in the final term, but the ball didn’t find her in the forward half as often as she would have liked. One of those days where the effort was there but the opportunities weren’t.

#8 Hope Taylor (Forward)

Stats: 4 disposals, 1 clearance

Taylor’s afternoon was cut short after copping a heavy knock in the third term and having to come off with a sore neck. Before going off she showed her typical quick hands and athleticism, flying for a mark on the wing and showing her defensive work rate through the middle.

#19 Taya Maxwell (Forward)

Stats: 6 disposals, 2 marks, 2 tackles, 1 inside 50, 2 behinds

The top-ager returned from injury for her first game of the season and showed glimpses of the quality that makes her a potential top-five talent. She is a player who can operate across the ground in multiple roles, and her strong intercept mark in the final term that she thumped deep inside 50 was the standout moment of her day. She was unlucky not to hit the scoreboard – a couple of shots narrowly missed – and she was clearly still a touch off the pace, but the football instincts and athletic traits are clearly there, and a full run of games will only see her continue to build.

#25 Emma Charlton (Midfielder)

Stats: 28 disposals, 1 mark, 8 tackles, 9 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

Charlton was dominant once again, racking up 28 disposals and nine clearances in a performance that reflected her status as one of the best midfielders in the competition. She was watched closely by Nevaeh Ebert at the opening ball-up but kept finding the ball and releasing cleanly under pressure, showing the composure and football IQ that makes her so difficult to contain. Her eight tackles reflected the defensive intensity that has become a hallmark of her season, and she continues to be the engine that drives South Adelaide’s midfield. Was a lone hand across the four quarters and just hardly ever does anything wrong.

#60 Marley Tape (Defender)

Stats: 3 disposals, 2 marks, 3 tackles

Tape was composed in defence, taking two marks and applying three tackles in a limited role. Her spoil across the line against Aprille Crooks in the forward pocket in the third term was a sharp defensive moment that reflected her reading of the play. A reliable presence in the back 50 who does her job without fuss.

NORTH ADELAIDE:

#5 Polly Turner (Forward)

Stats: 11 disposals, 3 marks, 3 tackles, 3 hitouts, 1 clearance, 3 inside 50s, 2 goals

Turner was the match-winner, kicking two goals including the decisive major in the third term. She is a forward who creates in multiple ways – scrapping hard at ground level, competing in the ruck when required, and finding space on the lead – and her ability to hit the scoreboard in big moments is a clutch trait to have. Adelaide and Carlton will both be vying for her services in this year’s AFLW Draft with her form in 2026.

#14 Maya Fuller (Defender/Midfielder)

Stats: 13 disposals, 1 tackle, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50

Fuller had one of her better games of the season, accumulating 13 disposals across multiple roles including time off half-back and on-ball. She showed her two-way running and clean hands, including a lovely turn and short pass across the ground at speed in the final term. A player who covers the ground well and contributes quietly but effectively.

#30 Isabella Beaumont (Ruck/Forward)

Stats: 8 disposals, 3 tackles, 10 hitouts, 1 clearance, 5 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

Beaumont rotated between ruck and forward and was busy in both roles, driving the ball inside 50 on five occasions and competing hard against Soriah Moon in the ruck. Her great leap to tap down when she had the better of Moon was a highlight, and her holding the ball free kick in the first term that went long to the pocket reflected her ability to win the ball at the second contest. Had the toughest job on the ground at times going up against Moon, but was far from disgraced against a quality, experienced opponent.

#35 Caitlin Hardin (Midfielder)

Stats: 12 disposals, 6 tackles, 3 clearances, 1 behind

Hardin started on the bench but made an immediate impact when she came on, applying six tackles in a fierce defensive display. Her best moment came in the second term when she spun brilliantly out of a forward stoppage and fired a quick handball to Turner, who slammed home the match-winning goal – a piece of vision and skill under pressure that reflected her growing influence as a midfielder. Her work rate and tackling intensity are consistent features of her game.

#37 Chloe Nettle (Forward)

Stats: 8 disposals, 2 marks, 2 tackles, 2 clearances, 1 inside 50, 2 goals, 1 behind

The double bottom-ager is hitting some nice form at the right time of the season, and her two goals were both moments of genuine forward craft. Her first was a classy finish off a step from 25 metres, and her second was a brilliant snap out of nothing from an open goalsquare after a handball receive from Turner. She also showed her defensive application with two tackles and her ability to compete in the air and bring the ball to ground. A player whose confidence is clearly growing, and one to watch as the season heads towards finals.