BACK for another year, Rookie Me Central’s 24 to Watch in 2024 returns and this time around, the focus is on underage players, being those who are yet to have an AFLW Draft chance. For the list of 2024, it will range between players who are predominantly 2006 (top-age) and 2007-born talents likely to take the SANFL Women’s by storm or set themselves up for the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Central District premiership player Sophie Eaton<\/a> is the top ranked bottom-age player coming into 2024 after a memorable debut season at SANFL Women’s level. Eaton registered 13 games in her double bottom-age season, before going on to captain the Under 16s side, win the Most Valuable Player (MVP) for her state and step up to the Under 18 Championships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n DOB:<\/strong> 23\/04\/2007 <\/p>\n\n\n\n Eaton burst onto the scene following a strong preseason this year, earning a Round 1 debut and looking comfortable at the level throughout the season. She averaged 8.6 disposals, 1.9 marks and 3.4 tackles for the Bulldogs, and though the numbers do not jump off the page, the lighter bodied Eaton is ultra-efficient with her touches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rarely wasting a disposal, Eaton showed throughout the Under 16 Championships she has a bright future, making the All-Australian team, skippering the Croweaters and finishing as South Australia’s MVP. Her contested work – not always on display at Centrals due to the strength of the on-ball group there – was sublime, with her extraction ability and stoppage smarts outstanding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Bulldogs talent then stepped up to the Under 18 Championships, where she finished her two games averaging nine disposals and a mark, as well as a goal per game. She predominantly played half-forward last season, but her natural progression into a fully fledged midfielder will come over the next 18 months. Definitely one to watch for the 2025 AFLW Draft, Eaton is one of the standout bottom-agers this season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n SANFLW 24 TO WATCH IN 2024:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n >> #10 Monique Bessen (Sturt)<\/a><\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\nSOPHIE EATON PROFILE<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Height:<\/strong> 169cm
Position:<\/strong> Forward\/Midfielder
Club:<\/strong> Central District<\/p>\n\n\n\nSUMMARY<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
>> Ruby Ballard (West Adelaide)<\/a><\/strong>
>> Shae Archbold (South Adelaide)<\/a><\/strong>
>> Asha Dufour (West Adelaide)<\/a><\/strong>
>> Coby Morgan (Norwood)<\/a><\/strong>
>> Esther Schirmer (South Adelaide)<\/a><\/strong>
>> Emma Kilpatrick (West Adelaide)<\/a><\/strong>
>> Lily Baxter (South Adelaide)<\/a><\/strong>
>> Grace Martin (Woodville-West Torrens)<\/a><\/strong>
>> Laela Ebert (North Adelaide)<\/a><\/strong>
>> Steph Tredwell (West Adelaide)<\/a><\/strong>
>> Matilda Wilmore (Glenelg)<\/a><\/strong>
>> Charli Hazelhurst (Norwood)<\/a><\/strong>
>> Chloe Tonkin (West Adelaide)<\/a><\/strong>
>> Imogen Trengove (Woodville-West Torrens)<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n