SA U18 Girls Team defeat Allies in Game 1

By ZAC MILBANK

South Australia has kick-started its AFL U18 Girls National Championship campaign with a comprehensive 78-point win against the Allies in Game 1 at Thebarton Oval.

Determined to defend their crown under new coach Brad Snell, the Croweaters started in the best way possible as they put on an efficient display of team-orientated football.

Leading at every change, SA kept its opponents without a goal in the first and third quarters as it piled on 8.7 to build a commanding 40-point advantage by half-time.

From there, the hosts cruised to the final siren by booting 7.3 to 1.1 in the second half as they sent an ominous warning to their rivals across the border.

SA vice captain India Rasheed was outstanding for her team as she collected a game-high 28 disposals, five marks and seven tackles while also hitting the scoreboard with three goals.

Key forward Klaudia O’Neill also impressed with three goals and eight marks while crafty Georgia McKee also chimed in with a trio of majors.

Defender Esther Schirmer caught the eye with her steady play while Jasmine Evans (22 disposals, six marks, one goal) Eloise Mackereth (15 disposals, eight marks, two goals) and Grace Martin (17 disposals) were other strong contributors.

SA captain Violet Patterson led by example with 20 possessions and four clearances while joint vice-captain Charlotte Riggs had 14 disposals, 10 hit outs, five clearances and a goal.

After kicking off their championship defence with a win against the Allies, Snell’s charges will now travel east to confront Victoria Metro at RSEA Park in Melbourne on Sunday August 11.

A return to Thebarton Oval will round out SA’s campaign when it hosts Western Australia in Game 3 on Saturday August 24.

The fourth encounter will be a clash against a mature-age SA U23 team on Sunday July 28 at Thebarton Oval.

South Australia  5.4  8.7  13.8  15.10 (100)

Allies  0.2  2.3  2.3  3.4 (22)

BEST – SA: India Rasheed, Klaudia O’Neill, Esther Schirmer, Jasmine Evans, Eloise Mackereth, Grace Martin

GOALS – SA: India Rasheed, Klaudia O’Neill, Georgia McKee 3, Eloise Mackereth 2, Ruby Ballard, Jasmine Evans, Emma Kilpatrick, Charlotte Riggs

At Thebarton Oval