AFLW Under 18 Championships: All the standouts and key stats from South Australia v WA
We got a glimpse at the future as several bottom-age stars shone in the final game of the AFLW Under-18 Championships. See the exclusive ranking points from SA’s win over Western Australia.
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South Australia secured a second-place finish at the Under-18 girls championships with a 21-point win over Western Australia on Saturday.
It concludes a disappointing campaign for the Sandgropers who failed to win a game but kicked four last quarter goals to finish strongly at Thebarton Oval.
*SCROLL DOWN FOR THE FULL RANKING POINTS*
No. 1 pick prospect Zippy Fish had a quiet Championships by her lofty standards, AFLW Academy star Claudia Wright missed the entire Championships with a broken leg and South Fremantle utility Molly O’Hehir struggled with illness across the course of the campaign.
But the final game of the Championships belonged to the Croweaters and trio Eloise Mackereth (4), Georgia McKee (3) and Klaudia O’Neill (3) who kicked 10 goals between them.
Eloise Mackereth (South Australia)
12 disposals, 7 marks, 4 goals
The pick of the forwards on a high scoring day. The bottom-ager was a consistent target for her teammates and reeled in the mark more often than not. She didn’t fade out of the game either and kicked a goal in all four quarters. A headache for WA defenders with her constant leading.
Mikaylah Antony (South Australia)
14 disposals, 9 marks, 134 metres gained
The bottom-age defender was named South Australia’s best by the coaches after a strong performance in defence. Of Antony’s 14 disposals, 10 of them were intercept possessions as she continued to cut off WA’s path to goal. She patrolled the air and took more marks than anyone on the ground.
Sophie Eaton (South Australia)
19 disposals, 3 tackles, 400 metres gained
The winger worked hard on the outside all day and was rewarded for her work rate, winning plenty of possessions in transition for South Australia. Worked hard to support her teammates and get into position for the handball receive which resulted in her gaining more metres than anyone on the ground.
Olivia Wolmarans (Western Australia)
18 disposals, 7 marks, 2 goals
The Subiaco product backed up her last outing against Vic Country with another strong showing up forward. The bottom-ager got on the board in the first quarter, rewarding WA for their work to chain the ball further afield before capping her day with a goal from a set shot in the last. Still raw but her work ethic keeps her involved.
Evie Cowcher (Western Australia)
17 disposals, 5 marks, 370 metres gained
The Peel Thunder product won WA’s MVP award as their player of the Championships after another strong display down back, making it back-to-back gongs for Cowcher. As always, Cowcher was productive in the air, either going up for the mark or playing it safe with the golden fist. Finished with eight intercepts and is set to be WA’s most highly-touted draft prospect next season.
Taya Chambers (Western Australia)
14 disposals, 4 marks, 4 tackles
The East Fremantle defender was one of the Sharks’ best in their losing 2024 WAFLW grand final and Chambers has carried that form into the Championships. Was busy in the back half but managed to work up the ground and get involved in WA’s attack. Definitely has some AFLW traits with her athleticism and malleability.
Originally published as AFLW Under 18 Championships: All the standouts and key stats from South Australia v WA
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