The SANFLW standouts in the early season, including Jess Waterhouse, Keeley Kustermann, Shelby Smith
With SANFLW 2022 well and truly underway, we’ve listed the players who are standing out for their clubs in the early season.
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The SANFLW season has started with a bang and has already featured countless competitive games.
The competition is deeper and ever this year, with each club packed with talent as it aims for premiership glory.
From solidified superstars to up and coming young guns, we’ve got the players who look to be the best of the bunch in 2022.
Shelby Smith
Central District
Central District captain Shelby Smith is revered throughout the competition and she has yet again shown why so far this season.
The star on-baller had been accumulating the footy with ease and is topping clearances league-wide with a tally of 19.
If Smith can continue her form and have another strong season the Bulldogs might just turn their fortunes around.
Georgia McKee
Central District
McKee’s most recent performance highlights why she was so highly touted heading into the season.
Showing her versatility, McKee completely took over in the final term to boot three of her four goals and lead the Bulldogs to their first win of the season.
The young gun has all the tools to dominate the competition and put her hand up for AFLW selection in the future.
Demi Sonneman
Central District
Sonneman’s first few games have signalled she is in store for a breakout season.
The 22-year-old forward out of Gawler Centrals sits fourth for goal kickers and has the most contested marks in the competition – proving to be a tough defensive assignment.
Jessica Bates
Glenelg
Bates has seemingly hit another level in 2022, dominating the middle of the park with ease.
She averages 20 disposals a game and has shown the ability to consistently move up and hit the scoreboard.
Bates also has the most tackles in the competition with a total of 32 – the only player with over 25.
Sarah Goodwin
Glenelg
Goodwin has been dominant across half-back so far this season.
Showing her versatility, she has been able to cover ground well, tally high possession counts each week and continues to dispose of the ball brilliantly by foot, especially on rebound attacks.
She has also shown the ability to intercept opposition attacks, with 14 marks so far.
Alison Ferrall
Norwood
Now in her fifth women’s season, Ferrall has remained a top player in the SANFLW competition.
So far this season she is averaging 19 disposals a game on a strong 82 per cent disposal efficiency.
The Redlegs captain’s play coming out of defence has been key to the team’s early success, with a staggering 19 rebound 50s to show for her efforts.
Jade Halfpenny
Norwood
At just 17 years old, Halfpenny’s potential has been clear to see a quarter of the way through this season.
The young gun on-baller is racking up 23 disposals a game to go along with her 15 total clearances.
Her drastic improvement could play a major part in any Norwood success late into the season.
Hannah Ewings
North Adelaide
With the ability to play midfield and wing roles to a tee, Ewings is becoming one of the most dangerous youngsters in the SANFLW.
Ewings is just a shade behind players like Jade Halfpenny and Shelby Smith in clearance work and also makes her presence felt with strong tackle pressure and contests in the air.
She has also shown the potential to kick a goal or two so far.
Jess Waterhouse
South Adelaide
The niece of goalkicking cult hero Clive, Jess Waterhouse has the same sense for a major as her uncle.
The star forward has burst onto the scene this year and leads all goalkickers across the competition, boasting just under three a game.
Waterhouse has shown she can be the complete attacking option and will be a factor toward the end of this season.
Tahlita Buethke
South Adelaide
The top disposal-getter in the SANFLW, Buethke continues to stamp her authority over opposition midfields.
The 17-year-old up and comer has shown a relentless attack on the footy – averaging 24 touches a game – and also loves to lay a tackle.
Between Buethke and Waterhouse, the Panthers look to be in safe hands.
Georgia Bevan
Sturt
Star Sturt inside mid Bevan has started brilliantly for the Blues.
The 26-year-old leads by example each week, disposing the ball to the best option and also making an astounding seven tackles a game.
Kiera Mueller
Sturt
Mueller put people on notice with her fantastic pre-season and has continued to do so through competitive play.
The 18-year-old halfback/winger out of Blackwood averages 16 disposals a game and boasts an incredible 98 per cent disposal efficiency.
Her ability to find teammates off the wing on either side of her body with pinpoint accuracy has been a significant factor in Sturt’s top of the ladder start.
Keeley Kustermann
West Adelaide
Kustermann continues to shine at SANFLW level, the 17-year-old so far announcing she belongs to the competition.
The Bloods defender gets her hands on the footy for fun and is deadly for her side on the rebound attack.
Her hard attack on the ball and her player has made her a feared opponent league-wide.
Shineah Goody
Woodville-West Torrens
Despite the Eagles struggling early, Goody looks set to spark throughout the year.
Her play down the wing and in the middle has impressed, and her side will need her to continue the strong rebound 50 play it has become accustomed to.
If Goody can continue to fire she will be a chance to move up into the AFLW in 2023.
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