The star players of the 2022 Adelaide Footy League women’s season include Brianna Walling, Lili Gambranis and Alannah Rochow
The Adelaide Footy League’s women’s season is at the halfway point and a number of players continue to dominate. Here are the most impressive performers so far.
Local Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The 2022 Adelaide Footy League women’s season is at its halfway point and what a year it has been.
While Morphettville Park has again looked strong after its premiership year in 2021, and will be even more dangerous with league Best and Fairest Celestina Dona returning to form, Happy Valley and Old Ignatians have also hit their straps.
There have been thrilling finishes and big upsets throughout the year so far in what has been one of the most competitive women’s seasons so far.
With a load of talent spread throughout the league this year, we’ve selected division one’s best players so far as the second half of the season gets underway.
BRIANNA WALLING (Morphettville Park)
Walling has again solidified herself as a star of the competition in 2022, dominating through the middle and around the ground for the Roos.
She has carried the load in the contest at times for her side and has also shown the ability to cover the ground and hit the scoreboard.
The 22-year-old has been selected among Morphettville Park’s best in six of her seven appearances this year and has also kicked five goals to help her team to equal top on the ladder with Happy Valley.
ERIKA SPORN (Morphettville Park)
Sporn, who has also balanced her time with Morphettville Park with playing at Norwood in the SANFLW this year, has become a weapon up front.
In five appearances in the forward line for the Roos, Sporn has tallied 10 majors while also continuing to set up teammates with opportunities.
She has been named in Morphettville Park’s best performers in four of her five appearances so far.
BESSIE BARRETT (Happy Valley)
A half-forward for South Adelaide in the SANFLW, Barrett has also dominated games through the middle and along the wing for Happy Valley in the Adelaide Footy League.
The 18-year-old up and comer has improved each week for her club and continues to accumulate the footy for fun in division one.
She has been a best on ground candidate in five of her seven appearances this year, including in a courageous display against Morphettville Park over the weekend.
ALANNAH ROCHOW (Happy Valley)
Also an integral part of Happy Valley’s success in 2022, club favourite Rochow remains one of the most dangerous forwards in the competition.
Rochow, who also represents South Adelaide, plays a significant role in Happy Valley’s attacking style and takes a key defender each week.
She has nine goals in six appearances to her name so far and has also created opportunities for a number of teammates each game when unable to score herself.
LILI GAMBRANIS (Old Ignatians)
Gambranis – another club favourite – has been among Old Ignatians’ best players in every game she has played this year.
A member of the club’s inaugural women’s side, the versatile star played her 50th game for Old Ignatians on Saturday and dominated against Adelaide Uni – winning the ball around the ground and hitting the scoreboard with a memorable goal.
The performance mirrored what the dual premiership player had been producing all season and Iggies will be in with a shout at contending for a premiership if she can continue to win the ball and be a threat in front of the big sticks.
MILLIE MCCARTHY (Old Ignatians)
McCarthy – who also made an appearance for the South Australia NAB AFLW U18 side in the national championships – has had a breakout year so far in 2022.
The skilful forward has eight goals in five games played for Old Ignatians, which include three performances in the team’s best players.
If McCarthy can continue to develop into a strong target with good goal sense, her club will be a test for anyone come finals.
KATE RASHEED (Payneham Norwood Union)
Rasheed has been a force for the Falcons and arguably the club’s most consistent performer so far in season 2022.
She has eight goals in five appearances for PNU and has pulled the strings for her side in attack while also rotating through the middle at times to add toughness to the contest.
Her recent two-goal performance against Broadview highlighted what the tall, strong marking forward can do.
BONNIE SANDERSON (Adelaide Uni)
Sanderson’s fantastic play off half-back has been a welcomed bonus for her club this year, the speedy defender experiencing her best year at Adelaide Uni so far.
Her ability to win the ball in defensive contests and use it quickly and efficiently to start attacks has been huge for the Blacks.
Sanderson has been a significant part of Uni’s equal fourth place start and she looks set to remain a key player as the season’s business end approaches.
TEAGAN USHER (SMOSH West Lakes)
Talented young mid Teagan Usher continues to develop each week for SMOSH, winning contested footy and distributing well to her teammates on the outside.
A former Woodville-West Torrens player and current West Adelaide SANFLW development league player, the 19-year-old should only get better as the year goes on.
Usher has three best on ground performances to her name in six appearances.
ZARA MOLLOY (Broadview)
One of the newest North Adelaide SANFLW development league players, Molloy has taken her game to another level in the Adelaide Footy League for Broadview this year.
The 18-year-old has impressed alongside sister Ella this season despite the Tigers’ struggles, and will be a key player through the second half of the year.
Her ability to consistently win the ball and find space has put her among Broadview’s best on three separate occasions this year.
REPLAYS: SANFL Girls Intrastate Carnival, Day 2
One club remains undefeated heading into the final day of the SANFL Girls Intrastate Carnival after another show of strength. Watch the replays and catch more action LIVE from 10.30am Thursday.
Read more
Revealed: Top SACA Premier Cricket players to watch in 2024/2025
From new recruits to rising stars and champions of the competition – we’ve picked the men’s and women’s players to watch this SACA Premier Cricket season. See who made the cut.
Read more