Every SANFLW club’s players to watch this season including Isabelle Starmer, Lauren Young, Shineah Goody
The first bounce of the 2023 SANFLW season is fast-approaching and we’ve listed the players set for big seasons at each club. Here are the stars to watch.
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The start of the 2023 SANFLW season is just two weeks away and the competition looks as strong as ever leading into what should be one of the most exciting campaigns yet.
A number of players have had standout preseasons across the competition, with solidified stars and new arrivals all impressing on the track and in match simulation.
So, with the help of league coaches, we’ve picked the top 20 players to watch out for in 2023.
Here is our list in alphabetical order of club.
ELAINE GRIGG
(Central District)
Grigg emerged as a strong talent last season, performing consistently for North Adelaide on the ball and up the ground to average 10 touches a game and booting six goals in her eight League appearances.
She has been selected to the 2023 AFLW Academy and should continue to develop into a young star after her move to Central District.
JESSICA ALLAN
(Central District)
Jess Allan has returned to the Bulldogs after time with the Crows and GWS in the AFLW.
A skilful ruck who can cover ground well and distribute efficiently to teammates, Allan’s return has her team and coach Ben Hunt reinvigorated heading into the season.
SHELBY SMITH
(Central District)
Central District’s veteran leader, Smith has been a star of the SANFLW competition for years.
A hard-running midfielder who works tirelessly for teammates, Smith averaged 24 disposals last season.
She also averaged nearly 10 tackles a game through tough inside work.
SAM FRANSON
(Glenelg)
Franson has shown strong potential up front and around the ground for Glenelg in recent years and is coming off of a solid season for the Tigers in 2022, averaging 14 touches and kicking five goals.
Coach Lexia Edwards believed the leadership group member could have a standout season for the black and gold.
SERENA WATERS
(Glenelg)
Serena Winters will begin her professional footy career this SANFLW season for Glenelg after time with the Darwin Salties in the NBL1.
A star athlete, the 21-year-old has been playing nationals since the age of 13 and has also spent multiple years in the NBL1 competition, previously representing the Woodville Warriors before the Salties.
Winters will be one to watch as she puts her athleticism to the test on the footy field.
APRILLE CROOKS
(North Adelaide)
North Adelaide coaches have been pleased with Crooks throughout the pre-season, the new signing from Tasmania impressing on the track and in match simulation.
A versatile midfield and defending talent, the 19-year-old was unlucky not to be drafted to the AFLW after a strong year with the Devils last season, but Roosters coach Krissie Steen believed she would dominate in SANFLW season 2023.
ISABELLE STARMER
(North Adelaide)
Starmer had a breakout year in the ruck for Central District in 2022 and has joined reigning premier North Adelaide as she aims to continue developing.
Starmer averaged nearly 30 hit-outs a game through the 2022 season for the Bulldogs and also showed the ability to move around the ground and either distribute to teammates or take big marks.
MATTEA BREED
(North Adelaide)
North Adelaide coach Krissie Steen has tipped former Norwood midfielder Mattea Breed to have a standout year for the Roosters.
Breed, also part of the Payneham Norwood Union Football Club, has been a consistent midfielder for years now and can not only win contested ball but can also move up the ground and hit the scoreboard – something North Adelaide midfielders have been known to do in recent years.
GEORGIE JACQUES
(Norwood)
A mobile ruck with reliable hands, Jacques looks set for a big season in 2023.
Jacques was a standout for the Allies in last season’s U18 NAB championships, averaging 15 hit-outs a game and working well around the ground.
MOLLY BROOKSBY
(Norwood)
Another member of this year’s AFLW Academy, Brooksby should star during the 2023 SANFLW season.
A hardworking player who boasts smart decision-making and an elite kick, the 17-year old averaged 12 disposals at 82 per cent efficiency for Norwood last season and will look to contribute at a high level yet again this year.
TAHLITA BUETHKE
(Norwood)
Originally from South Adelaide, Buethke has joined Norwood for season 2023.
A versatile midfielder who can also play as a half-back or a winger, Buethke should provide a significant boost for the Redlegs as they aim for premiership success.
She averaged 16 disposals and kicked six goals in her 11 games last season.
BELLA RIGBY
(South Adelaide)
Rigby has joined South Adelaide after being voted as the Great Southern Football League U17s best and fairest for Willunga in 2022.
A skilled and athletic midfielder, Rigby had an outstanding campaign for the Demons, racking up 15 goals and 14 best player nods in 17 appearances, and will now test her ability for South Adelaide.
JORJA HOOPER
(South Adelaide)
Hooper returns to the South Adelaide line-up after recovering from an ACL injury sustained in 2021.
The star Panthers forward has been a dominant force up front in recent years and was her club’s leading goalkicker in the 2021 season.
She should provide a spark up front after the departure of Jess Waterhouse to the Crows.
GEORGIA KING
(Sturt)
17-year-old King is set for a breakout season after making her League football debut last year.
A strong and athletic player, King has Sturt coach Michael O’Connor excited by her ability to impact the game around the ground and take big contested marks.
JASMIN FEJO
(Sturt)
A household name in SA basketball, Adelaide Lightning and West Adelaide Bearcats star Fejo will make her footy debut for the Double Blues this SANFLW season.
A supreme athlete with elite speed and quick decision-making, Fejo could be an ‘X-Factor’ during Sturt’s 2023 campaign.
LAUREN YOUNG
(West Adelaide)
Young was one of the most promising young athletes in SA sport before sustaining an ACL injury at the end of the 2021 season and will make her long-awaited return for the Bloods this year.
An athletic and strong midfielder who can play around the ground, Young won the League best and fairest at just 15.
The 17-year-old will be looking to hit the ground running in 2023.
PARIS FRANCIS
(West Adelaide)
A tall forward who takes big marks and is an accurate kick, Francis will play an important role for West Adelaide this season.
The 24-year-old has impressed coach Bruce Dawes throughout the pre-season and will look to solidify a spot in the first 22 from the first bounce of 2023.
ANNIE FALKENBERG
(Woodville-West Torrens)
Announced as club captain for season 2023, Falkenberg has put together her best pre-season to date.
Eagles coach Narelle Smith said Falkenberg was looking “strong and fit” on the field leading into season 2023 and should have a bigger year than last after finishing runner-up in the club best and fairest count.
MARLIE FIEGERT
(Woodville-West Torrens)
Fiegert has been tipped to have a breakout season for Woodville-West Torrens after turning a corner with her physical profile throughout the pre-season.
The versatile mid has spent time with the Port Adelaide Next Generation Academy and would be looking to put a strong SANFLW campaign together in 2023.
SHINEAH GOODY
(Woodville-West Torrens)
Goody is coming off of an outstanding 2022 season for the Eagles and SA at just 17 years old, making the SANFLW Team of the Year in the midfield and also finishing as NAB AFL U18 Championships MVP for SA.
She averaged over 20 touches for Woodville-West Torrens last season and could be set to evolve into a genuine star of the competition in 2023.
Also made the 2023 AFLW Academy.
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