SA U18 defeat WA U18 in Championship Opener

By ZAC MILBANK

South Australia’s Under-18 Girls Team issued a stern statement to its rivals after producing a stunning 84-point win in Game 1 of the AFL National Championships against Western Australia at Thebarton Oval.

After naming a strong side on Thursday, the Croweaters displayed why it looked so ominous by slamming on 13 goals to the Sandgropers’ one after the first change.

Leading by just six points at quarter-time, Tim Weatherald’s charges made their move in the second stanza by booting five goals to one en route to opening up a commanding 30-point lead at half-time.

Woodville-West Torrens’ Shineah Goody was outstanding through the midfield for the hosts, racking up 33 disposals, 10 marks, five clearances, seven tackles and a goal, ensuring she would be nominated as SA’s best.

North Adelaide’s Hannah Ewings, playing her first State game since 2018, and Central’s 15-year-old talent Georgia Mckee, were also damaging by booting three goals each from 20 possessions.

Ewings’ second term major was a particular highlight after she launched from long range as SA began to take control of the contest before the main change.

Norwood’s hard-working Lana Schwerdt transformed her excellent Hostplus SANFLW League form onto the national stage, collecting 22 disposals and four clearances while Eagle Ella Little also impressed after converting a strong mark in the goal square.

Redleg Sachi Syme kicked two goals, her first getting the ball rolling on the scoreboard for the hosts who made their first inside 50m entry count.

SA’s dominance was reflected in the final overall numbers, winning 125 more disposals and 16 more clearances while also taking 18 more marks and engineering 16 more inside 50 entries than the Sandgropers.

After winning their first game of the AFL U18 Girls National Championship, the Croweaters will now turn their attention toward facing Victoria Country next Saturday at Adelaide Oval, a curtain-rasier to the Adelaide v Richmond AFL clash.

SA   2.2  7.3  11.6  15.10 (100)

WA  1.2  2.3  2.3  2.4 (16)

BEST – SA: Shineah Goody, Hannah Ewings, Lana Schwerdt, Ella Little, Georgia McKee, Sachi Syme

GOALS – SA:  Georgia McKee, Hannah Ewings 3, Sachi Syme 2, Lana Schwerdt, Tahlia Walker, Dakota Williams, Piper Window, Lucy Boyd, Shineah Goody, Ella Little

At Thebarton Oval