West Women’s Pocket Profile

SANFL’s ZAC MILBANK breaks down all you need to know about the Bloods heading into the 2021 Statewide Super Women’s League season.

Coming
Sharnie Whiting (Carlton), Natalie Gibbs (South Adelaide), Teagan Usher, (Woodville-West Torrens), Louella McCarthy (St Kilda VFLW), Paxton Davis-Mattner (Sturt), Lauren Young (Goodwood Saints), Imogen Loftes (Blackfriars), Sadie Lienert (SMOSH West Lakes), Samantha Rann (Flinders University), Michelle Wakim (Flinders University), Taylor Glover (Norwood), Chloe Meyers (Norwood)

Going
Lauren Rodato (retired), Helen Maidment (retired), Rachael Killian, Emma Smith, Tara McDermott

Round 1
Friday February 26
v Norwood at Coopers Stadium from 7.45pm

Round 2
Saturday March 6
v Eagles at Hisense Stadium from 1.40pm

Round 3
Saturday March 13
v North at Hisense Stadium from 11.55am

Round 4
Friday March 19
v Glenelg at Hisense Stadium from 7.45pm

Round 5
Saturday March 27
v Central at X Convenience Oval from 11.55am

Round 6
Saturday April 3
v South Adelaide at Adelaide Oval from 3.45pm

Round 7
Saturday April 17
v Sturt at Unley Oval from 12pm

Round 8
Saturday April 24
v Norwood at Hisense Stadium at 3.10pm

Round 9
Saturday May 1
v Central at Hisense Stadium from 4.40pm

Round 10
Saturday May 8
v North at Prospect Oval from 12.15pm

Round 11
Saturday May 15
v South at Flinders University Stadium from 12pm

The Bloods scored a recruiting coup when they landed the signature of delisted Carlton defender Sharnie Whiting. The powerful defender from Williamstown has relocated to Adelaide in a bid to reignite her AFLW career with last year’s Preliminary Finalists. Boasting a neat kick on both feet, Whiting can find her targets from a kick-in while also ensuring her opponents don’t get a look in with her strong spoiling. Expect plenty of impact from the former Blue in 2021.

West Adelaide coach Mark Moody is excited about coaching Lauren Young this year, hinting that she looms as the ”next star of the League.” Aged just 15, Young won the U18 SAWFL Association Medal last year as a 14-year-old, underlining her exceptional talent. An onballer who can play as a key forward or key defender, the promising teenager is set to make her mark in 2021.

Zoe Venning – A midfielder/forward who is strong overhead and in congestion. Has excellent aerobic capacity to cover the ground.

Scarlett Griffiths – Speedy half-forward who has an a nice kicking and marking style.

Abby Hardwick – Set back by a quad strain, Hardwick is an athletic forward who competes strongly in the air. Has an exceptional natural leap.

Tamika May – Only has one year of experience in the SANFLW system but is developing her craft well, including her clean hands.

Abbie Ballard – A genuine ball magnet, Ballard will be sorely missed for the majority of the season after undergoing surgery on the ankle she injured in a trial match this month

Keeley Kustermann – Made her mark in 2020 by being named West’s Best First Year Player and earning a place at half-back in the SANFLW Team of the Year. Her Athletics background ensures she is regularly the one to beat in time-trials.