SA U18 Girls Squad Finalised

By ZAC MILBANK

Selectors have finalised a 30-player SA U18 Girls Squad to wear the cherished red guernsey in next month’s AFL National Championships.

With Magarey Medallist Tim Weatherald continuing as coach, the SA U18 Girls team features a wealth of experienced talent from the Hostplus SANFLW League.

Speaking on SANFL Radio, SANFL Female Talent Manager Robbie Neill said the high-calibre of U16 talent included in the squad was also noteworthy.

As many as seven players have earned a berth despite still being eligible for the U16 State team, including Central’s Georgia Mckee, South’s Shae Archbold, Sturt’s India Rasheed and Glenelg’s Violet Patterson.

Under Championship rules, only three U16s can play in each match while two U19 ”over-agers” have also been included in the squad – Sturt’s Kiera Mueller and Eagle Ella Little.

North Adelaide star Hannah Ewings will don the red guernsey for the first time since 2018, after missing the 2019 and 2021 campaigns with serious ankle injuries, sandwiching the absence of the 2020 carnival due to Covid-19.

SA will play three matches, two at home including one at the Adelaide Oval which will be a curtain-raiser to the Adelaide v Richmond AFL game.

The Croweaters will then finish off with a road trip to Melbourne for the third contest against the Allies.

Weatherald will be assisted by senior assistant coach Bill Economou while Bek McMahon (forwards), Craig Lum (midfield) and Jason Rivett (defence) will be SA’s line coaches.

The Club is proud to have four Redlegs selected, with Lana Schwerdt and Molly Brooksby joining Sachi Syme and Rose Boon all of whom have become regular features in the Redlegs starting line-up.

2022 AFL U18 Girls National Championship Fixture

Game 1 – Sunday April 10
SA v WA at Thebarton Oval – 10.30am

Game 2 – Saturday April 16
SA v Victoria Country at Adelaide Oval – 1.10pm

Game 3 – Friday April 22
SA v Allies at Avalon Airport Oval, Werribee – 12.30pm