South Australia cruise to a 58-point win over Northern Territory in game one of the AFLW Under-18 national championships

South Australia has cruised to a huge victory over the Northern Territory in their first game of the AFLW’s Under-18 National Championships.

In an incredibly accurate display of dominant football, South Australia has beaten Northern Territory by 58 points in game one of the AFLW’s Under-18 National Championships at Unley Oval.

The 13.5 (83) to 4.1 (25) victory was built on the back of a strong defence led by Sarah Wright while the forwards indulged in a goal-fest.

The Croweaters amassed eight individual goal kickers, which included a bag of four to Kiana Lee and two each to and Alex Ballard and Teah Charlton, who was judged best of ground. SA coach Bill Economou said both teams had played tight, contested footy.

“A lot of focus for us was around the contested ball and I feel that once SA opened the oval and spread the ball around we were able to find some space and we were fortunate enough to win,” he said.

The NT has a chance to even the ledger on Sunday when the two teams play in game two, this time at Karen Rolton Oval from 11am.

Economou said he hoped for two good performances from the SA team.

“This is the most versatile team we’ve had, so we’ll probably explore playing the girls in their secondary position,” he said. After Sunday’s game, the best players from both sides will come together to form the Central Allies team which will continue to round two of the Under-18 champs in Queensland in July.

SA's Laitiah Huynh with the ball pursued by NT's Tulaha Jeffrey and Makaylah Siddons at Unley Oval. Picture: Dean Martin

The event also offers the chance for the footballers to be spotted by AFLW recruiters, important considering four news teams — Gold Coast, West Coast, Richmond and St Kilda — all joining the competition next year.

The AFL’s head of women’s football Nicole Livingstone said the championships offered opportunities for the Australia’s best young football talent to succeed at the national level.

“Recruiters will be keeping a close eye on this year’s footballers, with the NAB AFLW Under-18 Championships a crucial element of our talent pathways,” she said.

SCOREBOARD

South Australia: 3.1 6.1 9.3 13.5 (83)

NT: 0.0 3.0 3.1 4.1 (25)

Originally published as South Australia cruise to a 58-point win over Northern Territory in game one of the AFLW Under-18 national championships