OUR South Australian National Football League (SANFL) Women’s Academy Watch is back for another year. We cast our eyes over the four League matches and took notes on each of the South Australian State Academy members to see how they fared across the board. This year we will also be tallying up votes for the Rookie Me Central SANFLW Academy Player of the Year.
Please note: All comments are the opinion of the author.
- Team
Norwood
Glenelg
Norwood:
#4 Sachi Syme
The hard-working midfielder started on a wing and battled against it all night. Though the Redlegs midfield was overwhelmed, Syme had some nice moments, such as a smother in the second term, followed up by a great tackle midway through the term and a long kick to the wing. She took a strong intercept mark inside 50 to put it to the danger zone and showed composure. Whilst it was mostly a second term purple patch, Syme finished with the eight touches, two inside 50s and two tackles.
#18 Molly Brooksby
Providing pressure on the wing, Brooksby was able to find space throughout the game, and impress in close. She laid six tackles in the match, and definitely brought the heat despite the mounting scoreline against the Redlegs, always cracking in and trying to force it out. Early in the final term she took a good mark at half-back and was able to cleanly dispose of it into the middle. Like Syme, Brooksby finished with eight disposals, and also laid six tackles.
#41 Lana Schwerdt
Did not find a heap of it like many of her teammates – just four players had more than 11 touches – but she was still able to impact from her touches, recording three clearances from six disposals. Her kicking was a bit rushed, but it was the story of the night for Norwood, and Schwerdt never stopped cracking in, winning a good contested ball late in the second term to help Lindsay Bigg to a goal.
#46 Rosie Boon
It was an unlucky debut for the highly-touted youngster, mostly because her athletic gifts that would normally see her soar over opponents, were nullified by an opponent who was effectively taller with the same gifts. Boon’s follow-up work at ground level was very good, and she still managed 14 hitouts, taking control when against smaller or less athletic rucks, and it was clear then when she gets her chance against the majority of opponents, she will have too much athleticism for them.
Glenelg:
The daughter of former Collingwood player Stephen, Patterson is one of those blank canvas players with absolute raw talent. She can find the ball, burst away, evade opponents, but it is just about adding that touch of composure. Given Patterson is an ’06-born talent, the Under 16s midfielder is one to remember, particularly for Pies fans with her athleticism incredibly eye-catching to go from standing to top speed really quickly. She can also kick the ball long for her age. Patterson ended the game with nine disposals and four inside 50s.
#8 Piper Window
One player who has gone to another level – and her debut season was pretty high to begin with – the bottom-aged Window is ready to set the SANFL Women’s alight. Her clearance work, and ability to move through stoppages with ease, lead her to rack up the numbers through the game. She kicked a goal off a good one-on-one mark early in the second term, and provided a target when resting forward. Window simply dominated through the middle in a stacked midfield, and her clearance in the third term bursting away to set up a Brooke Tonon goal was simply outstanding. She had another chance in the third term by swooping on a loose ball but hit the post. By the final siren, she had amassed 17 disposals, two marks, nine clearances, seven inside 50s and a goal.
#11 Sarah Goodwin
Playing an eerily similar role to Tonon the previous year, Goodwin may well be the South Australian bolter this year. Her ability to read the ball in flight and back herself to move it on quickly really stood out, and she just intercepted time and time again in the back half. Often holding a high defensive line, Goodwin was able to judge when to make the offensive move up the ground, win the ball and pump it inside 50. She began intercepting at half-forward, and her disposal was clean and precise. She hit up Tonon inside 50 after reading the ball incredibly well on the wing, and then had an outstanding run from half-back in the last term. Like Tonon last year, she is only light, but she is clean above her head and can run like the wind. Goodwin managed 21 touches, nine tackles, nine inside 50s and two rebound 50s in a huge game.
#20 Poppy Scholz
A 180cm wing is a rare sight, but Scholz showed in patches what she can offer. She laid her fair share of tackles and was able to win the ball in space and move it in transition, cracking in hard despite her outside role. She hit up Tonon 15m out straight in front in the third term, and though at times she might have faded out of the game, her defensive pressure remained, and she finished with 10 touches, four inside 50s and five tackles for the match.
#28 Matilda Scholz
The 187cm ruck enjoyed an impressive debut at the stoppages, amassing 30 hitouts across the night and just being too tall and athletic for her opponents. She might not have won much of the ball around the ground and is still very raw, but with the midfield at her disposal, getting first hands to it is crucial, and she does just that. Scholz seemed to gain more confidence as the match went on.
- Team
West Adelaide
North Adelaide
West Adelaide:
One of the best readers of the ball in flight, Kustermann was able to position and wait for the quick kick forward, picking off errant passes created by midfield pressure. She won a heap of it early, and continued to be fairly consistent throughout, showcasing her nice balance and long-kicking skills. She moved into the midfield in the second half and provided a great smother and follow-up defensive effort, being one of the more prolific players on the ground. Kustermann ended the match with 19 disposals – 16 kicks – four tackles and five rebound 50s.
Spent a fair bit of time opposing opposite State Academy member Hannah Ewings when in the midfield and was tasked with nullifying her opponent. She ran throughout the entire match, and made sure she remained close, then got some just rewards for her defensive pressure when forward. Laying a strong tackle midway through the third term, she converted the set shot from 35m. Her performance surpassed that of her statline which read six disposals, eight tackles, two clearances, two rebound 50s and a goal.
#41 Lucy Boyd
The highly-touted prospect had some glimpses of the talent she possesses, almost getting on the board early with her first touch, but her snap missed to the right. She provided good pressure and repeat efforts at ground level, and cracked in hard when she could. Despite being in her debut game, she had a couple of almost-chances up forward and did enough to suggest that when it is going her way she could be very dangerous. Boyd finished with nine disposals and seven tackles a strong defensive performance.
North Adelaide:
#22 Amelie Borg
Played back in her familiar role inside defensive 50 and was able to take a number of strong relieving grabs. She produced a nice tackle on Zoe Venning early in the game and was able to intercept a couple of times as well. Finished with eight disposals, three marks – one contested – for her troubles in what was a tough role with North missing a couple of key players back there.
#31 Hannah Ewings
It was hard to believe this was Ewings’ first SANFL Women’s game since suffering that fateful ankle injury, but South Australia’s top talent barely missed a beat. After starting forward and the ball not getting down there, she moved into the midfield and got some drive from the middle. She was prolific around the stoppages and when moving it in transition, and then almost won the game off her own boot in the final term. She kicked a couple of majors in the last quarter including one intercepting from a kick out, giving the Roosters a sniff. She recorded 21 disposals, six clearances, eight inside 50s, four tackles and two goals. Keep an eye out tomorrow for a Player Focus piece for an in-depth look into Ewings’ game.
- Team
Central District
South Adelaide
Central District:
A raw type, Riggs stands at 180cm and contested some hitouts throughout the match. Her first kick was not so memorable, missing the target and going out of bounds, but she was able to build more confidence throughout the match, picking up the four touches to go with eight hitouts and gave Isabelle Starmer a chop out in the ruck.
#21 Georgia McKee
A high-impact-per-possession player, McKee is one to mark down for the future as an exciting small inside 50. She is so clean and evasive, able to use her slick skills to advantage. Still learning her forward craft a little which got her into the wrong spots at times, her quick hands and athleticism really caught the eye. The more she won of the ball, the more damage she could do, and provided her teammates with plenty of chances, such as a snap around her body under pressure having weaved out of traffic in the second term, to set up Demi Sonneman with a set shot goal. Had 11 touches, four tackles and two inside 50s, but the stats do not do her justice with McKee being one of those players whose 10 touches are worth about 20 to most.
#38 Dakota Williams
Had a big job in the middle spending plenty of minutes in there and really held her own. Despite being on debut, Williams read the drop of the ball off hands well, and was able to find the gaps in stoppages and clear the ball on a number of occasions. She won a number of free kicks (four) for being tackled high, and was able to kick reliably around the ground. She had clean hands at ground level, and though she did not impact aerially, once the ball hit the ground she was fierce and gave as good as she got. Williams finished with 13 disposals, five tackles, four clearances and two inside 50s in a promising debut.
South Adelaide:
#37 Brooke Boileau
Boileau had a pretty solid overall game, first winning it in defence with quick hands, then getting further up the ground to kick it inside 50 to the top of the goalsquare to a one-on-one. She hit the post off a quick kick under pressure, then set up Lauren Clifton for a goal. Later in the same term, Boileau was able to drill a pass into Esther Schirmer inside 50. Overall she used the ball well and was able to create distance on her kicks, winning it in different parts of the ground. Boileau finished with 11 disposals, three tackles, two clearances and three inside 50s in the win.
#38 Shae Archbold
An incredibly exciting talent with an elite left foot, Archbold was just outstanding inside 50. She slotted three goals from different scenarios, showcasing her versatility. Her first came early with a great mark leading out from goal, and then nailed it without a second though. Her second came in the third term after receiving the handball from Jess Waterhouse, and put it straight through off a few steps. Late in the game, she uncharacteristically dropped a mark, followed up with a tackle then moments later received the handball to snap around her body and goal. Not only was her offensive ability outstanding, but her defensive ability was on point too, laying six tackles to be the second most on her team, and she also won four free kicks for her troubles. So damaging inside 50, the Under 16s talent recorded 15 disposals, five marks, six tackles, four inside 50s and 3.1 on debut.
#49 Jemma Ellis
A ruck who can still find her fair share of possessions, Ellis was able to relieve captain Brianna Wedding at times and still had some nice highlights of her own. She possesses a good jump and can pull down a strong mark, and though the consistency in areas could still improve, she held her own against quality opposition. Her ability to clear from the ruck stoppage is not in doubt though, recording the second most clearances on her side. Ellis recorded nine disposals, eight hitouts and five clearances in the win.
- Team
Woodville-West Torrens
Sturt
Woodville-West Torrens:
On debut, the younger of the sisters made an exciting start to her SANFL Women’s career. Teaming up with Goody in the midfield, Whitington-Chartity won her own fair share of possessions across the ground. Her hands in close were very quick, and generally clean. One noticeable aspect about her play is, when under pressure, Whitington-Charity looks immediately for a handball rather than bombing it on the boot from a stoppage. She uses her kicking when in space, which she also managed to find, and ran at a 50 per cent kick-to-handball split. Her best moment came in the final term where she sharked the tap from Jasmyn Hewett and off a couple of steps, slammed home a goal from a stoppage inside 50. Whitington-Charity would end up with 16 disposals, one mark, five tackles, three clearances and a goal for her troubles.
Playing in defence, Whitington-Charity had a quieter game than her sister, but still had a few moments that caught the eye. For instance, she took a good intercept mark in defence late in the first term and kicked long to the wing to stop Sturt scoring, then in the second term, managed to shrug off Georgia Bevan in a tackle. There was an almost-moment for the defender when she found space and took grass down the middle of the ground, but was run down by Sturt midfielder Isobel Kuiper. The number nine finished with five disposals, one mark, two tackles and two rebound 50s.
#20 Cher Waters
A raw talent who seems likely to benefit from more senior action, Waters managed the last five games in 2021, and is set for a full season this year. She seemed to pop up from time to time, predominantly on that outside wing or high half-forward position. She had a nice fend-off and kick to half-forward which lead to a scoring shot in the first half, and showed intent when running through the middle in tandem with Goody, though in the one-two her handball just was a touch off, showing the difference between the pair. Though her evasion looks sound, and she laid a couple of good tackles for a return of seven disposals, and two tackles.
#30 Marlie Fiegert
Similar to Waters in the sense that she had some moments without a consistent level, Fiegert will benefit from more runs on the board in 2022. Her final game of 2021 – 14 touches, five clearances – suggested her upside is very good, and though she did not necessarily play at the stoppages this match, is one of a number of rotations who could. Fiegert is clean and generally uses the ball well when she gets it, and had a great moment in the third term where she used her body to smothered a kick and then handball to a teammate to kick clear late in the third quarter. Fiegert finished with seven disposals and two tackles.
#34 Shineah Goody
The star bottom-ager just had a game to remember. She roamed around the ground finding the ball at will, and was one of the few who played a four-quarter game in touch conditions. Her running in transition sets herself apart, and she is always looking to break the lines, but knows when to give it off. Her vision and hands are so impressive, with a handball in the third term going a good 25m to open up play down the middle. Though light, Goody is still able to surprise with the odd fend-off or the knack of getting her hands clear to dispose of it. At times she can miss by foot, but for the most part that area of her game is still above average. By the time the final siren sounded, Goody amassed 26 disposals, five marks, nine tackles, three clearances, two inside 50s and five rebound 50s to be the standout Eagle on the field.
#36 Astrid Gooley
Had the toughest job on the field, having to go up against the experienced Hewett in the ruck instead of playing her role inside 50 where she is capable of hitting the scoreboard. On the day she was well beaten by the Crows-listed tall who had the smarts and athleticism to just dominate the ruck. Though more likely to spend time forward when the team is at full strength, Gooley would have received plenty of experience out of the duel. She had the one touch, one tackle and two hitouts.
Sturt:
#24 Lily Whitcombe
Playing in defence, Whitcomb looked comfortable and just did what she had to do when moving it out of the back 50. She was able to win her fair share of possessions and helped mop up opposition inside 50s, often looking to move the ball in transition and give it by hand. Her second quarter was particularly impressive when notching up a number of stats, including a nice kick to Rasheed going forward. Whitcombe’s ability to play in that role enabled other Double Blues to be shuffled around, and she finished with 10 disposals, one tackle and four rebound 50s.
#29 India Rasheed
Another highly-touted Under 16s talent, the daughter of renowned tennis coach Roger had a promising start to her SANFL Women’s career. Possessing a deadly left foot, Rasheed not only has the offensive attributes, but the defensive ones as well. The former was on show 30 seconds into the second term where she won it on the run out of the first centre clearance, took a couple of steps and a bound and kicked beautifully on the move to sale home. Rasheed pushed up the ground regularly to present for her teammates, and often marked either on the wing or at high half-forward where she was able to then look up options in attack. Her hands were clean and she is one of those players that coaches would be happy to have either going for goal, or looking for options inside 50 such is her precision kicking. Rasheed had a very impressive 16 disposals, five marks, two tackles, five inside 50s and a goal.
#40 Tahlia Walker
Playing forward, Walker did not have a lot of chances compared to some of her teammates, but presented well when looked to as an option. She took a nice mark on the lead in a forward pocket but her set shot just hit the post. In another example, she had a nice play at half-forward to win a one-on-one against her opponent, fended her off and then kicked deep inside 50. Though not overly prolific with four touches, one mark, one tackle, one inside 50 and a behind, she showed that she was comfortable at the level and has some nice traits.
RM CENTRAL SANFLW ACADEMY PLAYER OF THE YEAR ROUND 1 VOTES:
8 – Hannah Ewings (North Adelaide)
8 – Piper Window (Glenelg)
8 – Sarah Goodwin (Glenelg)
7 – Shineah Goody (WWT Eagles)
7 – Shae Archbold (South Adelaide)
6 – Keeley Kustermann (West Adelaide)
5 – India Rasheed (Sturt)
3 – Dakota Williams (Central District)
3 – Georgia McKee (Central District)
2 – Jemma Whitington-Charity (WWT Eagles)
2 – Violet Patterson (Glenelg)
1 – Matilda Scholz (Glenelg)
In each edition of Academy Watch, 60 votes are distributed amongst the Academy talents rather than the traditional 5-4-3-2-1 per-game system used with the NAB League Girls. This way, players who go above and beyond are awarded additional votes, with no cap on a minimum amount from teams. In Round 1, seven of the eight teams are represented, with Ewings and Glenelg duo Window and Goodwin the standouts.
