Top SANFLW players in season 2022 including Jess Waterhouse, Georgia Bevan and Jessica Bates
The SANFLW season is nearing its pointy end with only four games until finals. With a bunch of talent leading teams to wins, we’ve got the top players so far.
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The SANFLW season is nearing finals, with eight gameweeks completed and four to come before the all-important games in May.
The league has seen an influx of talent this season from AFLW level and also from local SA clubs, with teams now as strong as ever.
With solidified and emerging stars dominating across the competition, we’ve got the best players from every club so far in 2022.
STURT (currently first)
GEORGIA BEVAN
Sturt’s star player this season, Bevan’s rise to the top has coincided with the Blues’ surprise dominance over the competition.
The midfielder’s work in the centre has been second-to-none, averaging 18 disposals while also laying six tackles a game and plucking four marks.
Bevan’s recent high-disposal performances have epitomised her season so far.
KIERA MUELLER
Blues young gun Mueller continues to be a revelation in season 2022.
Playing predominantly off half-back, Mueller’s pinpoint disposal by hand or foot makes her one of the most dangerous players in the competition.
She has also shown the ability to lead whether vocally or by example, something which has made her highly-valued at the Blues.
NORTH ADELAIDE (second)
HANNAH EWINGS
Mainly playing off half-forward this season, Ewings has been able to hit the scoreboard and create space for her teammates.
The 21-year-old talent has booted 11 goals so far at a strong 61 percent scoring accuracy, while also averaging 18 disposals a game.
Ewings has been a key part of the Roosters’ defensive pressure as well, laying multiple tackles in the forward half each week.
JESS EDWARDS
One of North Adelaide’s veterans, Edwards’ play on the ball continues to take her team to impressive wins this year.
Edwards does a bit of everything, racking up an average of 23.5 disposals each weekend and showing the ability to take strong intercept marks.
She had a huge performance last weekend against the Eagles, amassing 46 disposals and 11 marks.
GLENELG (third)
JESSICA BATES
Bates has been the definition of ‘ball-magnet’ in 2022, recording nearly 25 disposals a game through the middle.
Bates’ versatility has also allowed her to play around the ground more often this season, at times moving down back or up forward.
She is also leading the tackle count league-wide by almost 20 – sitting on 77 – and impressively lays nearly 10 a game.
SARAH GOODWIN
Goodwin’s consistent play off half-back is a big reason why the Tigers currently sit in the top three.
The 18-year-old continues to cement her name among the best young stars in the competition, with 23 touches a game at nearly 80% efficiency.
Her ability to bring the ball out of the defensive half and begin attacks with penetrating delivery by foot is fundamental to how her team plays the game.
SOUTH ADELAIDE (fourth)
JESS WATERHOUSE
Topping the goalkicking numbers league-wide (14) with teammate and full forward Shae Archbold, Waterhouse is debatably the best half-forward in the competition.
Waterhouse possesses the ability to move up the ground and support transition play out of defence, and can also tear opposition apart with her blistering pace and poise with the footy.
NICOLE CAMPBELL
Playing through half-forward and the middle for the Panthers this season, Campbell’s disposal and pressure game are key to her team’s success.
The 28-year-old’s eight tackles a game are among the league’s best, while her ability to connect the mids and forwards with elite disposal by foot is a big reason why South sits in the top four.
NORWOOD (fifth)
LANA SCHWERDT
21-year-old Schwerdt is one of the Redlegs’ breakout players this year, and will be fundamental for her club if it is to overtake South Adelaide or Glenelg in a close run for a finals spot.
Schwerdt has matched it with the best inside players this year, winning her fair share of contested ball and also keeping the pressure on with six tackles a game.
ALANA LISHMUND
Lishmund sits a goal below league leaders Waterhouse and Archbold having played one less game.
The young gun’s goal sense matches the best and her recent performance of 14 touches and four goals straight against Glenelg well and truly put the rest of the league on notice.
CENTRAL DISTRICT (sixth)
ISABELLE STARMER
Starmer has been the best ruck in the competition this year with a total of 183 hitouts over her eight games.
The 26-year-old’s improvement has also coincided with the Bulldogs’ increased competitiveness throughout the season so far.
Starmer’s ability to win the hitout battle against anyone while also managing multiple clearances and marks a game makes her feared across the league.
SHELBY SMITH
The Bulldogs’ captain picked up where she left off in 2021 this year and has not looked back since the opening week.
Combining with Starmer to create a strong one-two punch, the follower averaging 22 touches as well as eight tackles a game inside.
WOODVILLE-WEST TORRENS (seventh)
SHINEAH GOODY
This season has so far been a challenging one for the Eagles, but Goody remains one of the positive aspects of 2022 for the club.
One of the top ball-getters across the competition, Goody’s impact for her team is significant.
Her 26 disposal, six mark and six tackle showing against North Adelaide last week could be her best outing thus far.
RENEE FORTH
Forth’s effort to win aerial duels against various key forwards this year sums up why the 35-year-old veteran so valuable for WWT.
Her disposal out of defence has also been among the best in 2022, with her hand skills also creating opportunities for the Eagles to attack out of the back half.
WEST ADELAIDE (eighth)
KEELEY KUSTERMANN
Kustermann has continued her strong early-season form right throughout, showing great promise in defence and going forward.
While the Bloods have struggled since their round one win against North Adelaide, during which the talented defender had 19 disposals and four tackles, Kustermann has improved each week.
The 18-year-old’s ability to distribute cleanly out of the back half and also provide a target in the forward half on occasion has made her a key Westies player.
BEATRICE DEVLYN
Devlyn has averaged an astounding 96 percent disposal efficiency on 19 disposals a game this season, a feat most players across the state would fail to match.
The Bloods star has been a weapon in the middle and across half-back since arriving from West Coast, with six rebound inside 50s a game.
She has also improved her tackling and is a significant factor in the defensive approach of her side.
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