AAMI SA U16 Girls defeat WA in Game 1

8 April 2026

By ALEXANDRA BULL

South Australia kickstarted its 2026 Marsh AFLW National Development Championships campaign by defeating Western Australia by five points at Thomas Farms Oval.

The AAMI SA U16 Girls got off to a quick start, as Isabella Gray chipped one through to get the Croweaters on the board early in the first term, before Ruby Rose got on the receiving end of a handball from Della McCracken to kick the side’s second to head into quarter time seven points up.

Leadership group member Jaidee-Lee Shortridge kicked a massive goal from 35m out in the second term, with the Sandgropers kicking two late goals to bring the margin back to one point at the main break.

Two goals in the third term from Chloe Nettle and Gray were enough to give SA the jump on the visitors, as the Croweaters went goalless in the last term.

Emmerson Warren was best afield due to her excellent work off half-back, while Shortridge and McCracken performed solidly in the first hit out of the championships.

SA captain Izabella Nisbet was everywhere, notching up a staggering 35 disposals.

Amalia Mouslino was also a rock in defence, along with Scarlett Blethyn, for the Croweaters, with Mia Wood excelling through the middle with 22 disposals.

The Croweaters will now turn their attention to their clash next Thursday 16 April, at Shepley Oval Dandenong, with the opponent still to be determined.

SA  2.1  3.2  5.4  5.7 (37)

WA  1  3.1  3.2  5.2 (32)

BEST – Emmerson Warren, Della McCracken, Jaidee-Lee Shortridge, Amalia Mousolino, Mia Wood, Scarlett Blethyn, Izabella Nisbet

GOALS – Isabella Gray (2), Ruby Rose, Chloe Nettle, Jaidee-Lee Shortridge (1)

At Thomas Farms Oval, Unley