THE 2026 SANFL Women’s semi-finals saw Woodville-West Torrens book its place in the Grand Final with a 15-point win over Norwood, while North Adelaide ended Sturt’s campaign with a 37-point victory. We took note of how each of the Academy members performed across the two finals.

All notes are the opinion of the individual author.

WOODVILLE-WEST TORRENS:

#4 Julia Faulkner (Forward/Midfielder)

Stats: 26 disposals, 1 mark (1 contested), 6 tackles, 4 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 1 goal

Faulkner was superb for the Eagles, accumulating 26 disposals and applying six tackles in a high-impact display across half-forward and the midfield. Her first-quarter goal was a standout piece of individual craft, cleanly gathering cleanly just inside 50, shrugging off Anderson and Sarah Branford and finishing from 30 metres. She was sharp at ground level throughout, repeatedly finding ways to release quick hands in traffic, while her half-forward clearance to the hotspot in the third term helped create a Ruby Matthews goal. A clean, competitive and damaging performance from the top-ager.

#7 Maia Freemantle (Midfielder)

Stats: 21 disposals, 1 mark (1 contested), 5 tackles, 7 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

The bottom-ager was busy through the midfield, winning seven clearances and providing strong defensive pressure around the contest. She started directly on Lani Cocks and was quick to get her hands free in traffic, with a centre clearance to the hotspot late in the first term one of her better moments. Her strong mark in front on the wing in the third quarter also showed her ability to compete aerially before moving the ball forward. While caught holding the ball trying to burst through congestion during the second term, her willingness to take the game on and work both ways was a constant feature.

#15 Lucy Moore (Midfielder/Forward)

Stats: 23 disposals, 1 mark, 8 tackles, 10 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 1 goal, 1 behind

Moore was enormous through the midfield, collecting 23 disposals, a game-high 10 clearances and eight tackles in a tireless finals performance. She consistently won the ball in traffic and drove it forward, showing strength to shrug a tackle before hitting Klaudia O’Neill inside 50 during the first term. Her best piece of play came in the second quarter, when she found Jiarna Zerella with a lovely kick, then kept running to receive the handball back and finished the move with a goal. Her defensive work was equally important, with a strong tackle on Cocks at half-forward among a series of pressure acts.

#22 Anika Tran (Forward)

Stats: 10 disposals, 3 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 1 goal, 1 behind

Tran had several lively moments across half-forward, using her speed and pressure to create opportunities in a tight final quarter. She forced an early turnover with strong pressure at half-forward and was clean when gathering below her knees, though her first scoring chance rolled narrowly the wrong side of the post. Her final-term goal was a particularly important contribution, gathering off hands and slamming the ball on the boot before being crunched in the contest. She continued to compete hard around the ball and showed the ability to impact the scoreboard from limited opportunities.

#33 Kayla Ilett (Forward)

Stats: 16 disposals, 4 marks (2 contested), 4 tackles, 2 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

Ilett produced an impressive all-round performance, accumulating 16 disposals and taking four marks while rotating between midfield and forward. Her contested marking stood out, particularly when she clunked one just inside 50 before sending the ball to the hotspot, while a deep kick to a one-on-one contest late in the first term helped set up an O’Neill goal. She took an intercept mark early in the third quarter and drove the ball inside 50, then continued to present strongly in the final term. A composed performance that highlighted her aerial ability and growing capacity to influence the game in different roles.

#36 Ruby Lynch (Tall Utility)

Stats: 20 disposals, 6 marks (3 contested), 2 tackles, 7 hitouts, 4 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

Lynch was influential across the ground, combining 20 disposals with six marks and seven hitouts in a versatile performance. Her first term set the tone, taking a strong mark from a short Matthews set shot before converting from the top of the goalsquare, then intercepting deep in defence and driving the ball back inside 50. She covered the ground well, charging out of defence and using her height to take a pair of intercept marks in the final quarter. Her ability to compete aerially, follow up at ground level and provide drive in transition gave the Eagles valuable flexibility.

NORWOOD:

#8 Lani Cocks (Midfielder/Forward)

Stats: 18 disposals, 2 marks, 7 tackles, 2 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 4 rebound 50s, 1 behind

Cocks worked hard through the midfield and across half-back, collecting 18 disposals and laying seven tackles in Norwood’s loss. She looked to break the game open with her run, selling candy and taking two bounces after a second-quarter mark at half-back, while her long kick to a one-on-one contest in the third term found Kate Alexander for a goal assist. She also delivered several deep entries from the wing and applied pressure at both ends of the ground. A quieter game by her high standards, but her work rate and willingness to take territory remained evident.

#14 Kate Alexander (Forward/Ruck)

Stats: 4 disposals, 1 mark, 3 tackles, 1 hitout, 1 inside 50, 1 goal

Alexander rotated between forward and ruck, and produced a crucial moment in the third quarter when she took a huge contested mark in front inside 50 and converted the set shot to cut the deficit to four points. She competed hard around the ground, applying a strong tackle on the defensive side of the middle and presenting at half-back despite not always being able to complete the mark. Her scoreboard impact came at an important stage of the comeback, while her willingness to move into the ruck added another layer to Norwood’s structure.

#21 Elke Cameron (Utility)

Stats: 15 disposals, 2 marks, 3 tackles, 2 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 4 rebound 50s, 1 goal

The talented utility was productive across the ground, finishing with 15 disposals and four rebound 50s after starting on-ball. She showed composure with a lovely switch kick from the back pocket in the second term and was clean when gathering in defence before moving the ball on quickly. Her early third-quarter goal was a highlight, snapping truly to reduce the margin to 16 points and help spark Norwood’s revival. She had a couple of late chances that did not quite fall her way, but her ability to rotate through midfield and forward again proved valuable.

#24 Ella Anderson (Defender)

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

The Under 16s talent battled away in defence, taking kickouts and looking to provide rebound as the Eagles generated early territory. She was shrugged off in a tackle attempt by Faulkner before the Eagles prospect kicked her brilliant first-quarter goal, but responded with several clearing possessions and showed good poise after marking at half-back. Her quick hands under pressure helped start a transition play late, even if the subsequent handball missed its target. A difficult defensive assignment, though she continued to look to take responsibility with the ball.

#37 Mia Wood (Wing)

Stats: 18 disposals, 6 marks, 2 tackles, 1 clearance, 2 inside 50s

Another double bottom-ager, Wood was the pick of the Redlegs’ Academy members as she accumulated 18 disposals and six marks in a hard-running wing performance that saw her provide an outlet at both ends of the ground. She worked back to apply pressure in defensive 50 before pushing forward to mark on the wing, and later took a strong half-back mark before kicking effectively down the line. Her best period came in the final quarter, when she took a one-handed mark on the wing, then made a pair of intercept marks at half-forward and sent the ball to the hotspot, with one helping create an Ashley Baker goal. Her endurance and aerial ability were clear positives.

NORTH ADELAIDE:

#5 Polly Turner (Forward)

Stats: 19 disposals, 6 marks (1 contested), 1 tackle, 3 inside 50s, 2 goals, 2 behinds

One of the best on the day, Turner was a constant threat for North Adelaide, finishing with 19 disposals, six marks and two goals in a polished forward display. She showed clean hands working up the ground before slamming through her first major from 20 metres in the opening term, then added another after gathering a dropped mark and finishing from 25 metres early in the second. Her contested mark inside 50 in the final term created another scoring chance, while her ability to find the ball on the wing and move it effectively gave the Roosters a reliable connection between the arcs.

#14 Maya Fuller (Wing)

Stats: 9 disposals, 2 marks, 3 tackles, 1 inside 50, 1 rebound 50

Fuller worked into the game after starting on the bench, providing a useful two-way contribution from the wing. Her best moment came early in the second quarter, pulling a kick to hit Turner lace-out inside 50 and create a scoring opportunity. She applied pressure at half-forward to force the ball out of bounds and laid a good tackle on Skout Young at half-back to lock the ball in. A steady outing from the wing, with her running and defensive effort helping North Adelaide maintain territory.

#30 Isabella Beaumont (Ruck)

Stats: 3 disposals, 1 mark, 5 tackles, 19 hitouts, 2 clearances, 1 inside 50, 1 rebound 50

Beaumont made a strong impact through the ruck despite modest disposal numbers, winning 19 hitouts and applying five tackles. She rotated in during the first term and gave her midfielders repeat looks at the ball from half-back stoppages, while her tap work at centre bounces was particularly effective. She showed a good leap to direct one down in the middle, then later found Amber Ward on the wing after winning the ball at half-back. Her willingness to follow up after the ruck contest and compete defensively made for an important contribution.

#35 Caitlin Hardin (Midfielder)

Stats: 11 disposals, 1 mark, 6 tackles, 3 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

Hardin brought her customary pressure to the contest, laying six tackles and winning three clearances after beginning on the bench. She competed well in one-on-one situations, pushed the ball forward effectively and tracked Isobel Kuiper around stoppages in a disciplined midfield role. A mark on the wing late in the second term gave her a chance to move the ball long down the line, while she continued to drive it towards half-forward after clean pickups in the final term. Her defensive work rate and ability to stay involved around the ball were strong features.

#37 Chloe Nettle (Forward)

Stats: 3 disposals, 2 marks (1 contested), 1 tackle, 1 goal

Nettle made the most of her chances inside 50, taking two marks and kicking a goal in North Adelaide’s win. She initially took a brilliant mark in front from 30 metres during the first term before the subsequent set shot was marked on the line by Ward. Her second-quarter effort was even better, using her bodywork to take a strong mark 30 metres out and converting from directly in front. Though she had limited opportunities after half-time, she kept presenting as a forward target and showed the aerial craft that makes her dangerous close to goal.

STURT:

#7 Lily Whiteman (Midfielder)

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

Whiteman was Sturt’s busiest Academy midfielder, collecting 14 disposals after rotating on-ball from the bench. She made an early impact by kicking inside 50, applying a strong half-forward tackle and then taking an intercept mark in the middle before releasing the ball quickly. She continued to work hard in congestion, using her left foot to deliver effectively to half-forward during the third term and winning the ball under pressure in the final quarter. Her effort never dropped despite the result, with her clean use and defensive intent among Sturt’s more consistent traits.

#36 Madeline Nuss (Forward)

Stats: 6 disposals, 1 tackle, 2 inside 50s, 1 goal

A sparkling debut SANFLW season came to a close with Nuss providing one of Sturt’s early highlights, winning a holding-the-ball free kick close to goal in the first term before playing on and finishing truly. She competed strongly in the air and at ground level, keeping the ball moving at the top of 50 during the third quarter and looking dangerous whenever she found space. Her burst from the wing later in the game showed her willingness to take the game on, even though the long-range shot went out on the full. A lower-possession outing, but her forward instincts and ability to create a moment remained evident.