2022 SANFL U18 Girls Academy

By ZAC MILBANK

SANFL has released a 43-player U18 Girls Academy squad as it begins its preparations for the 2022 U18 AFLW National Championships.

Despite being without West Adelaide star Lauren Young (knee reconstruction), the Croweaters boast plenty of exciting talent, headlined by a fit Hannah Ewings.

Speaking on SANFL Radio, SANFL Talent Manager Robbie Neill said Ewings had recovered from the ankle injury which sidelined her for this year’s AFLW National Championships.

The North Adelaide forward is aiming to spend more time in the midfield where she will use her natural flair and skills from the centre square.

Ewings will be joined by several familiar SANFLW League players such as Glenelg premiership utility Piper Window and West Adelaide running machine Keeley Kustermann.

Plenty of exciting father-daughter connections are also starting to appear including Violet Patterson (Stephen Patterson), India Rasheed (Roger Rasheed), Lana Schwerdt (Stephen Schwerdt) and Marlie Fiegert (Nigel Figert).

Glenelg sisters Matilda and Poppy Scholz, the daughters of former Australian Diamonds netballer Peta Squire, have also been included in the initial squad, which will be trimmed to 30 in early March next year.

The South Australian U18 girls team will again be coached by Magarey Medallist Tim Weatherald, who will be assisted by Bill Economou, Craig Lum, Jason Rivett and Bek McMahon.

A four-day camp will take place at Thebarton Oval from Monday December 13 to Thursday December 16, with a broad range of training activities and educational seminars to be conducted.

SA is scheduled to tackle WA in Perth on the weekend of April 9-10 next year before heading to the Gold Coast to face Victoria Metro on April 19 and the Allies on April 22.