SA U18 Girls Team – Game 1

By ZAC MILBANK

Glenelg midfielder Violet Patterson has been selected as the SA U18 Girls captain for its 2024 AFL National Championship campaign, starting on Thursday.

Patterson, the daughter of former Collingwood and Norwood rover Stephen Patterson, will be assisted by co vice-captains India Rasheed (Sturt) and Charlotte Riggs (Central) when they host the Allies at Thebarton Oval from 11am.

Coached by former Norwood SANFLW League mentor Brad Snell, the Croweaters will prepare to play four games, with three matches included as part of the Championships.

After kicking off their championship defence against the Allies, Snell’s charges will 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.

Rising coaching talent Emma Sampson, a current assistant with Adelaide’s AFLW team, has been elevated to the role of Senior Assistant of both the SA U18 and U16 Girls teams for 2024.

The SA U18 team for Game 1 boasts no shortage of experience considering every player has experience at Hostplus SANFLW League level.

Thursday July 18
2024 AFL U18 Girls National Championships – Game 1
South Australia v Allies at Thebarton Oval from 11am

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

F: Georgia McKee (Central), Charlotte Riggs (Central), Eloise Mackereth (Glenelg)

HF: Asha Dufour (West), Klaudia O’Neill (Eagles), Jasmine Evans (Central)

C: Sophie Eaton (Central), India Rasheed (Sturt), Lily Baxter (South)

HB: Mikayla Antony (Central), Poppy Scholz (Glenelg), Grace Martin (Eagles)

B: Bianca Portaro (Eagles), Esther Schirmer (South), Lucy Boyd (West)

R: Chloe Tonkin (West), Monique Bessen (Sturt), Violet Patterson (Glenelg)

INT: Ruby Ballard (West), Coby Morgan (Norwood), Sophie Thredgold (Sturt), Emma Kilpatrick (West), Laela Ebert (North)

EMG: Edwina Thornquest (Sturt), Shae Archbold (South), Imogen Trengove (Eagles)