Club captains say SANFLW has become top breeding ground for AFLW talent due to increase of highly-skilled youngsters
The 2020 SANFLW season starts this Friday night and club captains reckon SA’s state league is better than the VFLW with more talented youngsters coming through the ranks.
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A focus on grassroots development, strong coaches and backing from the clubs has helped the state women’s league grow to become a perfect platform into the AFLW, captains say.
The 2020 SANFLW season, set to kick off this Friday, was launched at Adelaide Oval on Tuesday with skippers from all eight clubs preparing for the competition’s fourth instalment.
In 2019, a record 16 SANFLW players were selected in the AFLW draft – nine being picked up by the Adelaide Crows.
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Participation rates also increased in 2019 with 7594 females registered with a local club, up from 6118 in 2018.
North Adelaide skipper Leah Tynan said the strength of SA’s competition was growing because of the skilled youngsters coming through the ranks.
“I personally think the SANFLW is stronger than the VFLW,” Tynan said.
“A few years ago everyone was leaving SA to go play VFL because that’s where you were going to get noticed, but now it’s the other way around.
“The quality of football and the girls who are 17, 18 who started in juniors are starting to come through and be really strong.”
Central District skipper Nicola Biagi agreed.
“We’ve got so many young guns,” Biagi said
“Girls coming up now who are 15, 16 are so skilful and I think that’s what makes the SANFLW so strong.”
Reigning premier South Adelaide had five players drafted to the AFLW, but Panthers vice-captain Elyse Haylock said SA’s talent pool was strong enough to cover the losses.
“We have heaps of young talent and our list is constantly changing,” Haylock said.
“Participation rates are growing and we’ve just got a huge crop of players to choose from.”
Glenelg new captain Chelsea Packer said women were embracing having an opportunity now after many years of being told “footy was for boys”.
She said that was driving the push to make the SANFLW more professional.
“We just love playing footy and we want to show everyone we can, so I think that’s what lifts us because we are so chuffed to have the opportunity,” Packer said.
Woodville-West Torrens co-captain Megan Andresen said SA was the “hidden gem” when it came to uncovering female footballers because of the amateur and state league’s support, combined with sponsors like Statewide Super getting behind the competition.
The 10-round home and away season ends in May before a three-week finals series.
ROUND ONE
■ South Adelaide v Woodville-West Torrens – Noarlunga Oval, Friday February 14, 6.30pm
■ North Adelaide v Glenelg – Elizabeth Oval, Saturday, February 15, 10.10am
■ Sturt v West Adelaide – Elizabeth Oval, Saturday, February 15, 11.55am
■ Central District v Norwood – Elizabeth Oval, Saturday, February 15, 1.40pm