PREVIEW | Top end Dragons set to lead the way
SANDRINGHAM Dragons’ 2022 NAB League Girls season bounces down on Saturday afternoon, with the metropolitan region taking its best and brightest talents down to the Apple Isle to battle Tasmania Devils at Prospect Oval. Considered a young squad with up-and-comers to keep tabs on last year, the Dragons notched only one win and did not […]
Cool customer Kustermann learning on the job
SHE may have been one of only two bottom-agers fielded in South Australia’s Under 19 side last year, but West Adelaide’s Keeley Kustermann continues to learn on the job. The promising defender has gotten comfortable being the younger one among each squad, taking the opportunity to feed off more experienced teammates along the way. “I […]
Busch looks to push past comfort zone
WINNING a club best and fairest ahead of eventual AFLW draftees and the competition leading goalkicker, as a bottom-ager, is no mean feat. That is exactly what Mia Busch did for the Eastern Ranges in 2021, but the hard-running defender is used to punching above her weight. Starting out her footballing journey in an Under […]
“White line fever” guides Shepherd towards footy
INTANGIBLES are often the missing piece for budding AFLW stars, and while Dandenong Stingrays prospect Emily Shepherd has some in her locker, she’s working on others. Her reading of the play, athleticism, and ability to manufacture time on the ball are all pillars of a promising game, and aggression is another which ensured Shepherd was […]
Backline is best for Borg
THE ABILITY to play in more than one position is just about a necessity for budding prospects these days. Luckily enough for North Adelaide tall Amelie Borg, that kind of versatility is a hallmark of her game. In what was effectively her first full crack at a SANFLW season in 2021, the 17-year-old earned Team […]
Great Scott itching to get back
A QUICK turnaround back into the swing of NAB League Girls football has been ideal for Paige Scott. The GWV Rebels goal machine says she has been “itching” to return after a stellar bottom-age campaign, in which she topped the Under 19 National Championships goalkicking charts, and won a final off her own boot for […]
Conversion the key for Centrals’ Teague
CENTRAL District is becoming a team others are “scared” to come up against, according to Bulldogs midfielder Caitlen Teague. All seven of her side’s losses in 2021 came by 12 points or less, including four under a goal. With help from incoming coach Ben Hunt, the Bulldogs are quickly improving on what was lacking last […]
Jets “in a good place” ahead of season 2022
WESTERN Jets have long had what has been tagged as a young list poised for future success. The future may well be now, as a couple of top prospects lead the way for a squad which is “in a good place” heading into next season. After the challenge of coaching across a stop-start 2021 campaign, […]
2022 AFLW debut season focus: Round 2
AFTER the opening weekend of season 2022 featured debuts galore, first year players continued to impress in Round 2. The headline act was number one pick Charlie Rowbottom, who earned a Rising Star nomination for her starring role in Gold Coast’s first win of the year. We take a look at how those in their […]
Nelson ready to hit the ground running
GROWTH is the word to describe Phoebe Nelson‘s preseason, in more ways than one. The Northern Knights running machine has shot up to 180cm and has been making strides in her skill development. On top of that, the winger showcased her strong endurance base at the NAB League Girls testing event with a team-best yo-yo […]
Chargers “ready to go” ahead of premiership defence
SUCCESS breeds success, and 2021 NAB League Girls premiers, Oakleigh Chargers will be out to prove exactly that. Their latest campaign, set to open on Sunday at La Trobe University, comes quickly on the back of a scintillating flag tilt which saw a handful of players drafted come last July. Regional talent operations lead Jy […]
Hurley set for full footy focus in 2022
HAVING completed her Year 12 studies in 2021, Sandringham Dragons standout Sofia Hurley is set to enjoy a gap year in 2022. That’s not to say she’s putting her feet up. The midfield maestro stamped herself a top draft prospect in her cohort after a dazzling bottom-age season, in which she represented Vic Metro at […]
