SA U18 v SA U23 Team Selections

By ZAC MILBANK

Team selections have been finalised for the highly-anticipated SA U18 v SA U23 match to be played at Thebarton Oval on Sunday.

Kicking off at 11am, the contest will effectively see the best women’s footballers, aged under 23, in the State go head-to-head with plenty of pride on the line.

Coming off a blitzing 78-point win against the Allies in Game 1 of the AFL Girls National Championships, the SA U18s boast

Coached by former Norwood SANFLW mentor Brad Snell, the SA U18s will use the contest as an important hit out ahead of its final two Championship matches against Victoria Metro in Melbourne (August 11) and Western Australia at Thebarton Oval (August 24).

SA U18 captain Violet Patterson is among five players who will be rested for the clash, together with Jasmine Evans, Lily Baxter, Poppy Scholz and Esther Schirmer.

The SA U23 side, coached by Woodville-West Torrens SANFLW mentor Narelle Smith, will have an opportunity to impress in front of recruiting scouts ahead of this year’s AFLW Draft.

Joint 2024 SANFLW Leading Goal Kicker Emily Brockhurst will have her chance to shine, along with one of the competition’s most improved players – Kiana Lee, with both players named in the key attacking posts.

Prolific ball-winner Zoe Venning will start in the middle while consistent performers Laitiah Huynh and Georgia Swan should provide plenty of run and skill on their wings.

F: Georgia McKee (Central), Charlotte Riggs (Central), Asha Dufour (West)

HF: Sarcha Taylor (North), Lucy Boyd (West), Eloise Mackereth (Glenelg)

C: Sophie Eaton (Central), India Rasheed (Sturt), Imogen Trengove (Eagles)

HB: Emma Kilpatrick (West), Shae Archbold (South), Laela Ebert (North)

B: Bianca Portaro (Eagles), Edwina Thornquest (Sturt), Sophie Thredgold (Sturt)

R: Chloe Tonkin (West), Ruby Ballard (West), Grace Martin (Eagles)

INT: Klaudia O’Neill (Eagles), Coby Morgan (Norwood), Matilda Wilmore (Glenelg), Monique Bessen (Sturt), Mikayla Antony (Central)

COACH – Brad Snell

F: Amelia Rusden (Norwood), Kiana Lee (Norwood), Mel Anderson (South)

HF: Alisha Gepp (Sturt), Emily Brockhurst (South), Dakota Williams (Central)

C: Laitiah Huynh (Central), Marlie Fiegert (Eagles), Georgia Swan (Sturt)

HB: Lily Whitcombe (Sturt), Georgie Pater (West), Julia Clark (North)

B: Audrey Holt (Eagles), Tess Gerhardy (Central), Christina Leuzzi (Eagles)

R: Tess Huxtable (West), Zoe Venning (West), Aprille Crooks (North)

INT: Chloe Harding (Glenelg), Sarah Wright (South), Kayla Robran (Glenelg), Olivia Smith (West), Cher Waters (Eagles)

COACH: Narelle Smith (Eagles)