Exclusive stats and scouting notes from WA v SA under-18 girls national championships
In a clash of two traditional rivals, a South Australian star’s draft stocks continue to rise while a pair of WA midfielders shone. See all the exclusive stats and scouting notes on the top prospects.
AFLW
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFLW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Western Australia is still searching for its first win of the U18 girls National Championships after falling to South Australia by 20 points on Sunday.
Hope Taylor got the Croweaters off to the hot start with the opening goal at Revo Fitness Stadium. But the game was won either side of the main break with South Australia kicking three goals in the space of eight minutes, one before half-time and two in quick succession after.
READ: THE PLAYERS TO WATCH AHEAD OF THE AFLW DRAFT
Western Australia had plenty of chances and won inside 50s 38-31 but will be left to rue accuracy and skill errors, falling 8.2 (50) to 4.6 (30) at home.
Despite having trained together since November and boasting the most talented squad in recent memory, WA has struggled to put it all together when it matters.
South Australia were however efficient in attack and strong around the footy, bouncing back after a first-up loss to Vic Metro.
SCOUTING NOTES
IMOGEN TRENGOVE (SOUTH AUSTRALIA)
26 disposals, 1 goal, four clearances
The captain of the Croweaters led from the front all day and was a handful for WA speed, agility and repeat efforts. Trengove kicked the opening goal of the third quarter to give South Australia some breathing space and she wasn’t afraid to take the game on. Always got to the right spots and put her head over the footy.
JULIA FAULKNER (SOUTH AUSTRALIA)
18 disposals, 1 goal, four tackles
It was hard to miss Faulkner with her fluoro helmet but she lived up to the hype. The Woodville-West Torrens product isn’t draft eligible until next year but she stood up against more seasoned bodies and was a handful up forward. Faulkner was lively in traffic and made the most of fast breaks. Snapped an excellent goal in the third quarter after teaming up with ruck Chloe Tonkin inside 50.
TESSA DAVIES (SOUTH AUSTRALIA)
13 disposals, 11 kicks, four marks
Davies was a rock down back for South Australia, continually standing up under immense pressure. The Glenelg pillar reeled in a few big contested marks down back and her booming kick was pivotal to clearing the footy. If she wasn’t competing in the air, she got herself to the right spot for the crumb and did very well to contain WA’s twin threats Wolmarans and Fotu.
EMMA CHARLTON (SOUTH AUSTRALIA)
17 disposals, 12 tackles, five clearances
A workman like performance from the South Adelaide star in the midfield. Charlton showed us earlier in the Championships she can find the footy and that continued against WA with 17 disposals. Her physical pressure was excellent but she is quick to sense the turnover and get on the attack for South Australia.
JULIET KELLY (WESTERN AUSTRALIA)
20 disposals, seven tackles, two clearances
Kelly might not be the flashiest or most noticeable player on the ground but she does all the little things well. A starting midfielder for much of the game, Kelly makes things happen for WA at the coalface and releases her teammates in better positions. Her tackling pressure and work rate is always at a high standard and WA coaches thought Kelly was best on against the Croweaters.
CARYS D’ADDARIO (WESTERN AUSTRALIA)
21 disposals, six tackles, eight clearances
The Swan Districts star’s draft stocks are steadily rising after another strong performance around the ball. When D’Addario has the footy in hand, good things generally happen. She’s tough in the contest but also transitions from inside to outside really well. Her clearance game was a strength against South Australia.
CARA DZIEGIELEWSKI (WESTERN AUSTRALIA)
14 disposals, 10 tackles, 22 hitouts, three clearances
She was fighting out of her weight division in the ruck for WA but her athleticism and vertical leap made her a tough task for Alexander. Dziegielewski’s follow-up and work around the ground made her a typical fourth midfielder once the footy hit the deck. The West Perth product is draft-eligible next year.
MAYA LOUVEL-FINN (WESTERN AUSTRALIA)
13 disposals, five tackles
Nobody is able to release pressure like Louvel-Finn. Her ability to hit a target is a massive weapon for WA coming out of defence and she even got involved further up the ground to send the ball inside 50. Rarely loses a one-on-one contest and she stood up in the absence of Evie Cowcher.
RENEE MORGAN (WESTERN AUSTRALIA)
18 disposals, five marks, six tackles
The South Fremantle star started like a house on fire, racking up 11 disposals in the first quarter. South Australia put a bit more attention into her after that but Morgan’s strengths remained evident. She knows how to make herself dangerous and bobs up in the corridor. Rides the contest well, evidenced by a strong contested mark in the third term.
Originally published as Exclusive stats and scouting notes from WA v SA under-18 girls national championships