Draft crystal ball: Who will Port Adelaide pick up out of the SANFLW to be in their inaugural AFLW team?
Port Adelaide recruiters are keeping a close eye on local footballers ahead of their first turn at the AFLW draft. Four games into the SANFLW and some players are standing out.
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Four rounds into the 2022 SANFLW season, and Sturt are the only undefeated team left sitting on top of the ladder, with reigning premier Glenelg second on percentage at 3-1.
But perhaps most intriguing this season, is that there are even more footy recruiters sitting in the stands looking to pinpoint talent, given Port Adelaide will field its inaugural AFLW team for the leagues’s seventh season (slated to start in December).
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The Power will have 30 players on its first list, and will be looking to fill its inaugural squad using four methods: accessing underage, but draft-eligible talent (born in 2004) through their academy program; luring interstate AFLW players to Alberton; poaching players from the Crows’ current list; and then drafting players from the SANFLW.
Port’s new list boss Naomi Maidment has made no secret of the fact that the club’s recruiting strategy had a priority on securing South Australian talent from the SANFLW that would provide the club with a strong, sustainable and balanced list.
“I think the depth in our state is there and I certainly think that we’ll be able to compile a list that’s competitive and a list that will be capable of winning that first premiership for Port Adelaide,” she told The Advertiser last month.
SANFL female talent manager Robbie Neill said Port’s scouts would currently be watching hundreds of players across both the AFLW and SANFLW competitions to gauge the talent that might be available to them.
“They would be casting their net really wide to see what they want,” he said.
Neill said the draft potentials were numerous, but pointed out that many stars in the SANFLW this season were too young to be drafted and those upcoming stars would make excellent picks in the 2023 draft and beyond.
Among their expansion list concessions, Port will be given two draft picks later this year ahead of their cross-town rivals the Crows.
Here are some key players who, based on their SANFLW performances so far this season, Port could well draft:
ISABEL STARMER
Central Districts, ruck, 176cm
Arrived in Adelaide in 2019 from rural NSW, and is a mature-age ruck averaging 21 hit-outs a game.
Neill says: “Athletic ruck and talls don’t grow on trees, so she gives you that extra bit of height. Is competitive, mature age athletic ruck who can jump. They’ve only won the one game so far but she’s been a standout for them.
JESS WATERHOUSE
South Adelaide, small forward, 159cm
First season at the Panthers after arriving from Glenelg. Is currently sitting at the top of the SANFLW leading goal-kickers list, with eight to her tally from four games. Is averaging 17 touches a game.
Neill says: “She is the niece of Clive Waterhouse, former star with Fremantle and Port Adelaide, so there’s already that family connection with Port Adelaide. A small forward with l great goal sense, can kick the ball beautifully with both legs, super competitive. She’s been a livewire in their forward line.”
GYPSY SCHIRMER
South Adelaide, defender, 178cm
Currently a train-on player with the Crows, laid a game-high nine tackles against Norwood in Round 4. Missed out being drafted by Adelaide in 2021. Deserves another shot after being asked to participate at the 2021 AFLW Draft Combine.
Neill says: “Athletic and fast. Is playing more as a tall defender at the moment and that seems to be suiting her well. Kicks the ball well and has a very fast 20m sprint.”
TAHLITA BUETHKE
South Adelaide, mid, 165cm
Topped the disposal count in Round 1’s clash against the Dogs, with 24 touches, while also taking two contested marks, six inside-50s and five tackles. Is a train-on player with Adelaide. Impressed at the 2021 AFLW Draft Combine.
Neill says: “A really athletic mid who can play inside and also on the wing on the outside. Got really good running ability. State under-19s player last year.”
KIERA MUELLER
Sturt, defender, 165cm
In her second year with Sturt, and from four games in 2022, is averaging 16 touches a game, with a disposal efficiency of 92 per cent.
Neill says: “A left-footed rebound defender. Very competitive. And gives them a lot of drive off halfback.”
ALEX BALLARD
Sturt, defensive-mid, 170cm
Sister of Gold Coast’s Charlie Ballard, she might be only 19, but is this year playing her fifth SANFLW season. Selected in last year’s state under-19s team, from the four games in 2022, she’s averaged 11 touches and five marks.
Neill says: “A member of the state under-19s squad in 2021. She is a wonderful kick, good decision maker and can play forward or back.”
ERICA GREET
North Adelaide, wing, 163cm
At 21, has more than 40 games of SANFLW under her belt. Is averaging 12.7 touches a game, as well as 3.7 inside-50s.
Neill says: “Fast, athletic, competitive.”
AMELIE BORG
North Adelaide, defender, 177cm
Doesn’t do a lot in the stats because she’s too busy keeping her opponents quiet. Will celebrate her 18th birthday in November.
Neill says: “A really good lockdown defender who’s in our State under-18s set-up. Really competitive, loves playing one-on-one with someone, makes really good contact on her opposition and is a nightmare to play on.”
HANNAH EWINGS
North Adelaide, mid, 168cm
The competition’s 2020 Breakthrough Player of the Year, spent much of 2021 on the sidelines with an ankle injury, but is now primed and in an excellent draft window, celebrating her 18th birthday in March. Is averaging 20.3 touches a game.
Neill says: “One of their stars in the midfield, deservedly in our under-18s set-up. A midfielder who can play forward. A beautiful user of the ball, rarely fumbles.”
JADE de MELO
North Adelaide, forward, 169cm
Mature-age forward, who played two games with Fremantle in the 2018 AFLW season. Has also played with the NT Thunder.
Neill says: “Has been a livewire for North Adelaide in attack and looks dangerous every time the ball enters forward 50m.”
SARAH GOODWIN
Glenelg, mid, 163cm
Prolific in hunting the ball, is averaging 22 touches a game this year. Was a premiership player with the Tigers in 2021. Was nominated as Round 1’s Breakthrough Player of the Week.
Neill says: “In our state under-18s side, is very good. Fantastic athlete and uses the ball very well.”
JESSICA BATES
Glenelg, mid, 165cm
Currently leading the entire competition for most tackles with 40 (10 clear of the next-best). Is also averaging 21.8 touches this season.
Neill says: “If you want that sort of mature, senior player, then she’s it.”
ELLIE KELLOCK
Glenelg, mid, 165cm
Tigers’ captain, with plenty of experience having played 50 SANFLW games, but is still reasonably young at 24. Comes ready made with a footy brain.
Neill says: “Been really good, a great leader for the Tigers and was instrumental in their 2021 Premiership”.
ELLA BOAG
Glenelg, forward, 170cm
Last year, she was playing in Glenelg’s under-16s girl squad, and could well find herself in AFLW ranks at the end of this year. Turns 18 in July. Made her SANFLW debut in Round 4, finishing with 16 touches, three inside-50s and kicked a behind.
Neill says: “She’d be a smoky from our state program. Played her first game on the weekend and looked really good, she’s one that even if it’s not this year, she’s one they’ll monitor with interest.”
KEELEY KUSTERMANN
West Adelaide, utility, 166cm
Would have to be one of the top prospects at the 2022 draft given she’s already played 25 league games, and is yet to turn 18. This season is so far averaging 20 touches a game and in Round 3’s clash against Central Districts, she picked up 31 disposals (including 21 kicks).
Neill says: “An AFLW under-18 Academy player, can play midfield or at halfback and is an elite runner, super competitive and loves training, works really hard. She’s a coach’s dream to be honest.”
CHERYLLEE WATERS
Woodville-West Torrens, small forward, 164cm
Had her best game to date in Round 2, when she had 18 touches, and five inside-50s.
Neill says: “Another state under-18s product, who’s been really good and is starting to get some time on ball.”
BROOKLYN KRAFT
Woodville-West Torrens, ruck, 181cm
Has played three games for the Eagles in 2022, averaging a bit of 14 hit-outs a game, and manages a few clearances too.
Neill says: “Missed the state under-19s program in 2021 due to a knee injury. Has the ability to take strong contested marks and plays her best football in the ruck. Originally a South Adelaide junior, she also played in the Panthers 2019 premiership team before crossing to the Eagles a couple of years ago.”
McKENZIE DOWRICK
Woodville-West Torrens, forward, 164cm
Currently on the Crows list, having replaced veteran Deni Varnhagen who was forced from Adelaide’s line-up after deciding against a Covid-19 vaccine. Hasn’t been given an AFLW game yet, but has played four games for the Eagles, and is currently equal-second in the he SANFLW’s leading goal-kicker race with seven. Has played 12 AFLW games – seven for Brisbane in 2019, and five for West Coast in 2020.
Neill says: “She might get another opportunity to play at the level, it just depends what Port are looking for.”
ELLA LITTLE
Woodville-West Torrens, mid, 175cm
Averaging 15.5 touches with an 82 per cent disposal efficiency in her debut year at SANFLW level.
Neill says: “She’s now developing herself into a big inside midfield, with a big forward kick and she’s an interesting one, still has more development in her yet, but she’s certainly on they’ll be watching.”
SACHI SYME
Norwood, mid, 166cm
The SANFLW’s 2021 Rising Star winner, Syme has been representing SA at national carnivals since she was 14. Is this season averaging 17.5 touches with a disposal efficiency of 84 per cent.
Neill says: “She can play inside or out, very athletic, originally from the West Coast and is super athletic in our state under-18s program.”
ROSE BOON
Norwood, ruck, 178cm
From her two games this season, has 14 and 16 hit-outs on her stats sheet, playing in her debut SANFLW season.
Neill says: “She’s from a basketball background and is a very good basketballer playing some ruck for the Redlegs.”
LANA SCHWERDT
Norwood, forward-mid, 163cm
In her second SANFLW season has upped her average touches to 16.8. In Round 4’s win over South Adelaide, she recorded a career-best 25 touches and nine tackles.
Neill says: “Could go as a father-daughter to the Crows, she’s the daughter of Stephen, but she’s a top-age player now in our state under-18s, she’s looking really good. Can play as a small forward or go through the midfield and she just loves tackling. She’s got a really good tank, is tenacious and loves the physical stuff.”
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