Local SA women’s footy’s top 50 young guns of 2024 revealed
SA women’s footy is packed with up-and-coming talent so we’ve picked the top 50 young guns across the state’s country and suburban competitions for 2024. See who made the cut.
Local Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
There is no shortage of talent in local SA women’s footy and a number of up-and-coming youngsters have starred for their clubs so far this year.
With the season in full swing, we’ve taken a look at the state’s country and suburban competitions to pick the top 50 local SA women’s footy young guns of 2024 aged 21 and under.
Here is our list in alphabetical order.
JARRAH ALTSCHWAGER
(South Gambier, Limestone Coast Football League)
South Gambier struggled in season 2024 but the improvement of 18-year-old Altschwager was a major positive for the side.
A versatile player with strength in the contest who can work through the middle or move up front, Altschwager booted 10 goals in 10 games for her club while also tallying eight best player appearances.
KALANI BATES
(Goolwa/Pt Elliot, Great Southern Football League)
An athletic winger who can also play on the ball or across the backline, 19-year-old Bates has been a standout for the Magpies after time with North Adelaide’s SANFLW League team last year.
Bates is a hardworking player who provides great run and carry and a reliable boot.
Has five best player mentions and three goals in six games.
HEIDI BERKIN
(Penola, Limestone Coast Football League)
A superstar midfielder and forward for Penola this year, Berkin managed to produce her best season yet in the LCFL.
The teenager is hard at the contest and is a smart mover around the ground as well as up front where she creates a number of opportunities for herself and others.
Had 13 goals and eight best player nods in eight games.
SOPHIE BEVIS
(Golden Grove, Adelaide Footy League)
Joining Golden Grove after a strong season with South Gawler in 2023, Bevis has been a standout for the Kookaburras as well as Central District’s SANFLW Development League side.
The 16-year-old young star is relentless in the contests and boasts clean skills by hand and foot.
Has two best player nods and a goal in four games for Golden Grove.
OLIVIA BLACKER
(Angle Vale, Adelaide Footy League)
Also a member of her club’s U16 side, Blacker has been an exciting prospect for Angle Vale’s AdFL div three A Grade team through 2024 so far.
A reliable player on the ball who possesses quick hands and is an efficient distributor, Blacker has five best player appearances and two goals in seven A Grade games.
TAYLAH BOTTEN
(Gawler Central, Barossa, Light and Gawler FA)
Joining Gawler Central after a promising year with North Haven in the AdFL, 18-year-old Botten has experienced a fast start to her 2024 campaign in the BLG.
A versatile player who can have an impact up front or through the middle, Botten has five best player mentions in six games to go along with seven goals.
ZARA BOWLES
(Goodwood, Adelaide Footy League)
A talented athlete who can play a number of roles for the Saints, Bowles has emerged as a consistent contributor in division one.
At just 17 years of age, Bowles’ ability to win the contested footy and distribute to opponents while under pressure has made her a standout.
Has two best player nods in six games.
MIA BRENNAN
(Reynella, Southern Football League)
Turning 16 this year, Brennan has quickly emerged as one of the SFL’s brightest young prospects.
A reliable player behind the ball or in the contest, Brennan wins plenty of her own footy in the air or at ground level and distributes well.
Has four best player nods and two goals in five games.
KATHERINE COLE
(Hectorville, Adelaide Footy League)
One of Hectorville’s most consistent players, 20-year-old Cole has been among the Hounds’ best in almost every game so far this division two season.
Fights hard in the contest and always makes good decisions in possession.
Has five best player nods in seven games.
BROOKLYN CORRELL
(Hahndorf, Hills Football League)
Correll has been one of Hahndorf’s top players so far this year.
Composed on the ball and able to prevent a number of opposition attacks with her marking ability or create for others with her disposal.
Has five best player nods in six games.
JESSICA COUCH
(Flagstaff Hill, Southern Football League)
The SFL’s top goalkicker so far this season, Couch has been named among Flagstaff Hill’s best in all four of her appearances so far.
A strong and smart forward with safe hands and a reliable kick, the budding young star has 16 goals in four games including a recent five-goal performance against Ironbank Cherry Gardens.
ZARA DIRK
(Goodwood, Adelaide Footy League)
Also a standout for Kongorong during last Limestone Coast Women’s FL season, Dirk has been one of Goodwood’s top players in division one of the AdFL.
Hard at the footy with an impressive IQ and reliable foot and hand skills, Dirk has two best player performances in her five games so far.
BRIDIE DOLAN
(SMOSH West Lakes, Adelaide Footy League)
Turning 20 this year, Dolan has become one of her side’s most consistent contributors.
A ball magnet with strong defensive and attacking skills, Dolan is a tireless worker for the Lions.
Has four best player appearances and two goals in six games.
MIAH FORREST
(Brighton, Adelaide Footy League)
A star young leader for Brighton, Forrest has had an exceptional start to her first full A Grade side after a strong year with the U17.5s in 2023.
Composed on the ball and always dangerous through the middle with her ability to find teammates with damaging disposal, she has three best player nods in five games.
STEPHANIE GIBSON
(Payneham Norwood Union, Adelaide Footy League)
Also a part of Central District’s SANFLW Development League side this year, 18-year-old Gibson has been a standout for div one AdFL power PNU.
One of the Falcons’ most versatile players, Gibson can do damage along the flanks and through the middle.
Has three best player nods and a goal in her five games.
ASHA GOOLEY
(SMOSH West Lakes, Adelaide Footy League)
At just 16 years old, Gooley has hit the ground running in her first A Grade season with SMOSH West Lakes.
Usually plays up front as a dangerous and creative forward and has six goals and two best player mentions in six division one games.
ASTRID GOOLEY
(SMOSH West Lakes, Adelaide Footy League)
Best on ground for SMOSH West Lakes in the 2022 division one grand final, Gooley has returned to the Lions after a strong season with Flinders Park.
An athletic and hard running player who can dominate as a ruck or move up front to hit the scoreboard regularly, Gooley boasts elite skills by hand and foot.
Has three best player performances and three goals in three games for the Lions and has also played League footy with Woodville-West Torrens this year.
CHLOE HARDING
(Morphettville Park, Adelaide Footy League)
At 19 years old, Harding is beginning to make a name for herself as a dangerous forward/ruck utility in SA footy.
A strong overhead mark and a natural athlete with a reliable kick for her height, Harding has three best player nods in three div one games for Morphettville Park this year.
Has also made three SANFLW League appearances for Glenelg.
JESSICA HARRIS
(Willunga, Great Southern Football League)
Harris is coming off of a 26-goal 2023 season for Willunga and has kicked eight goals so far for the Demons this year.
The 19-year-old is one of the most skilled players in the GSFL, wins plenty of the footy and either creates for teammates or finishes for herself.
Has four best player nods in eight games and is a regular in the league’s association games.
NICOLA HEFFERNAN
(Tea Tree Gully, Adelaide Footy League)
A consistent mid who can also move up the ground to hit the scoreboard, Heffernan has been one of TTG’s best performers in division two.
Skilled above her head, hard in the contest and composed inside the attacking 50, Heffernan has four goals and four best player nods in seven games.
CAITLIN HILL
(Blackwood, Hills Football League)
A dominant player on the ball who can also have an impact up front or at the back, former club Best and Fairest Hill has had another strong start to a Blackwood season.
Relentless in the contest and composed in possession, Hill has been one of the top HFL players so far this year with five best player nods in six games.
CHLOE HOWLETT
(Yankalilla/Encounter Bay, Great Southern Football League)
With eight best player nods in eight games for Yankalilla/Encounter Bay this season, Howlett has been the top performer for the Stingrays so far.
A versatile player with great skills above her head and at ground level, Howlett wins plenty of the ball and can also hit the scoreboard.
Has three goals so far and should play Association footy again in 2024.
JEDAH HUF
(Kybybolite, Limestone Coast Football League)
A dominant performer during her club’s LCFL grand final win this year, 20-year-old Huf had a standout season with the Tigers.
A strong player who can play a number of key positions for her side, Huf possesses strong overhead ability and is reliable in possession.
Had five best player performances through her six games for Kyby.
DAKOTA KENDALL
(Broadview, Adelaide Footy League)
Also an important player for North Adelaide’s Development League side this year, 18-year-old Kendall has emerged as a top prospect out of Broadview.
A tough competitor on the ball who boasts efficient distribution, Kendall has two best player nods and a goal in her four Tigers games so far this season.
APRIL KERRISON
(Hope Valley, Adelaide Footy League)
One of the Demons’ most consistent players so far this season, Kerrison has proved to be a major asset through the midfield and on the flanks.
A smart player in possession and a reliable user of the footy, Kerrison has four best player performances and a goal through her seven division two games so far.
CECILIA KILKENNY-JONES
(Mt Lofty, Hills Football League)
A consistent forward in the HFL for Mt Lofty, Kilkenny-Jones has produced a strong season so far for the Devils.
Kilkenny-Jones is a reliable target up front who can boot goals herself or create opportunities for others.
Has 10 goals and a best player performance through her six games so far.
ABBY KLAEBE
(Payneham Norwood union, Adelaide Footy League)
Arguably the Adelaide Footy League’s top women’s player so far this season, Klaebe has been dominant each week for the Falcons.
A skilled player who can produce top performances through the midfield as well as up front, Klaebe possesses a high footy IQ and is one of her side’s most efficient names.
Has six best player performances and 13 goals in six division one games.
MARDI MASSON
(Marble Range, Port Lincoln Football League)
The joint winner of the player of the SA Country Championships for 2023, Masson has emerged as a budding star for Marble Range in the Port Lincoln FL.
Masson is a reliable player along the flanks and through the middle who can cut off a number of attacks and provide valuable run and use.
Had seven best player nods and four goals in 12 games this year as her side claimed the premiership.
KAYLEIGH MAY
(Henley, Adelaide Footy League)
A talented young midfielder who also has experience with Woodville-West Torrens, May has hit the ground running for Henley this Adelaide Footy League div one season.
Quick on her feet and an accurate user of the footy, May wins plenty of contested possessions for her side and damages opposition with her disposal.
Has four best player nods and two goals in four games for the Sharks.
KEIRA MAY
(Mt Lofty, Hills Football League)
A member of last year’s U16 SA team and an important part of Sturt’s Development League side this year, May has developed into one of the state’s top prospects.
Starring up front and in the middle for the Devils this year, May has damaged a number of sides with her power, athleticism and accurate disposal.
Has 10 goals and two best player performances in three games for the Mt Lofty A Grade.
LAKEESHA PICKETT
(Mallee Park, Port Lincoln Football League)
A star through the middle for Mallee Park this year, Pickett was a major part of her club’s grand final run.
Pickett displayed her skill and explosiveness on the ball this year and also proved to be a threat up front as her side fell just short of a premiership.
Had eight goals and seven best player mentions in her 10 games.
INDIANA QUAREMBA
(Goolwa/Pt Elliot, Great Southern Football League)
Strong on the ball and dangerous up front, Quaremba has been dominant this Great Southern FL season for Goolwa/Port Elliot.
The Magpies utility can impact a game in a number of ways whether it is her ability to win the ball in the contest, burst the lines to deliver to teammates, or kick majors.
Has six best player nods and 12 goals in eight games.
ESTHER RAYNER
(McLaren, Great Southern Football League)
A standout on the ball and in a number of other roles for McLaren this season, the former South Adelaide player has been at her best in the GSFL.
Runs all day and delivers to teammates while under pressure with ease.
Has three best player performances and four goals in eight games.
BELLA RIGBY
(Willunga, Great Southern Football League)
The Great Southern Football League U17s best and fairest for Willunga in 2022, Rigby has continued to develop into a star player for the Demons.
Still 17 years old, Rigby is a skilled and athletic midfielder who runs all day and can also produce as a forward.
Has had an outstanding campaign so far with 12 goals and seven best player nods in 12 games.
RAYNE RIVALLAND
(Happy Valley, Adelaide Footy League)
A dominant back flanker for Happy Valley, Rivalland has dominated in the AdFL through a number of seasons.
Rivalland is a hard runner who covers a lot of ground for her side and can set teammates up with damaging disposal.
Has four best player nods in five games so far.
LUCY RUBIE
(Victor Harbor, Great Southern Football League)
The superstar skipper for Victor Harbor in the GSFL, Rubie has produced the best footy of her young career so far this year.
The 18-year-old covers ground as well as anyone in the competition and racks up high numbers of disposals each week.
Can also finish well in front of goal with four majors to go along with her six best player mentions in seven games.
ELLA SHELDRICK
(Hahndorf, Hills Football League)
Sheldrick still plays for Hahndorf’s U17s but has greatly impressed during her time with the A Grade side this year.
A tireless worker on the ball who can also have an impact at either end of the ground, Sheldrick has four best player nods and two goals through her six A Grade games.
ALEXANDRA SMYTH
(Henley, Adelaide Footy League)
One of Henley’s best players in recent years, 19-year-old Smyth has been a standout yet again in season 2024.
An athletic player with great skills who can produce top performances on or behind the ball, Smyth has three best player performances through her six games this year.
EMILY SPOEHR
(Gepps Cross, Adelaide Footy League)
Also a member of Gepps Cross’ U18s team this year, Spoehr has produced a number of standout displays in the contest and at the back for the A Grade side this year.
A strong marker of the footy who racks up a high number of disposals each week, Spoehr has five best player nods in seven games so far.
IMOGEN SZEGEDI
(Nairne Bremer, Hills Football League)
One of the top performers in the HFL so far this season, Szegedi has been dominant around the ground for Nairne Bremer.
A tireless worker for the Rams who accumulates plenty of the footy and uses it well to open up play for her teammates.
Has five best player appearances and two goals in six games.
HAYLEY TAHENY
(Hope Valley, Adelaide Footy League)
The leading goalkicker in division two of the Adelaide Footy League, Taheny has produced one of her best seasons so far for Hope Valley.
A former Development League player with Norwood, Taheny is a strong forward who takes big marks and can boot goals from anywhere.
Has 25 goals and four best player nods in seven games, with her standout performance this year being a six-goal haul against Lockleys.
ALICE TENTYE
(North Gambier, Limestone Coast Football League)
A young superstar of the LCFL, Tentye produced a fantastic season for North Gambier as a gun forward.
A strong and hard working forward, Tentye can take big marks, lay hard tackles and finish opportunities from anywhere inside 50.
Had 23 goals and six best player nods in eight games, including a three-goal performance in her side’s losing grand final against Kybybolite.
ELLIE WARD
(Willaston, Barossa, Light and Gawler FA)
A consistent player for Central District’s SANFLW Development League team, Ward has been at her best when playing for Willaston this season.
The 18-year-old runs all day to rack up disposals and is a great tackler and user.
Has three best player mentions in four games for the Donnybrooks.
BROOKE WATSON
(Flagstaff Hill, Southern Football League)
A versatile player who has been dominant in the contest for Flagstaff Hill this season, Watson sits among the SFL’s best performers so far.
Watson wins countless possessions for the Falcons each week and sets up her forwards with elite disposal.
Has six best player nods in six games for her side to go along with three goals.
MEGAN WEETRA
(Noarlunga, Southern Football League)
Weetra has not been able to play as many games for the Shoes as she would have liked so far this season but remains one of the top SFL women’s footballers.
At just 17 years old Weetra is one of her side’s top leaders and stars as a clean and smooth moving rover who consistently wins the footy and explodes from the contest to set up her teammates with ease.
Has two best player performances in her three games so far.
JESSICA WENDLAND
(Willaston, Barossa, Light and Gawler FA)
The Central District forward has been a star for Willaston so far this season.
A dominant presence up front, Wendland is a smart leader who provides strong pressure in the forward 50, takes strong marks and finishes well.
Has 11 goals and two best player performances in five games.
AKEIRA WHICHELLO
(Willaston, Barossa, Light and Gawler FA)
Another young star out of Willaston, Akeira Whichello has been one of the competition’s best through her five BLG games this year.
Also a member of Central District’s development side, the 18-year-old dominates in the contest with her strong attack on the footy and also consistently hits the scoreboard.
Has nine goals and four best player performances in five games.
LUCY WHITE
(Pembroke OS, Adelaide Footy League)
A versatile young star for Pembroke OS who can deliver in the ruck and around the ground, White has had a sensational 2024 season so far.
The teenager often gives her teammates first use with great tap work and is also clean at ground level.
Has six best player mentions in all six of her division three appearances so far.
SHAKEYA WILKEY
(Golden Grove, Adelaide Footy League)
Wilkey has improved significantly for Golden Grove so far this season as a versatile option who can perform in the middle or at the back.
A hardworking player who possesses reliable hand and foot skills, Wilkey has been named among her side’s best three times in five games.
LIBBY WILLETTS
(Blackwood, Hills Football League)
One of the Hills FL’s top young performers so far this year, North Adelaide Development League prospect Willetts has been a standout for Blackwood.
Dangerous across the forwardline, Willetts is clean off of the deck and can either finish efficiently for herself or set others up.
Has nine goals and three best player nods in six games.
Adelaide Footy League club lands superstar signing for 2025
A local SA footy star and former SANFL captain and premiership player has joined an Adelaide Footy League club on the rise for season 2025.
Read more
Bartel’s best: Saints legend lists top teammates, opponents in stellar career
A Goodwood Saints legend has looked back on his career and picked his top opponents and teammates after being named as the top Adelaide Footy League player of the 21st Century.
Read more