A STAR South Australian pair has led the state to a 35-point victory over Western Australia to open the girls 2023 U18 Championships.
Prospective top end draftees Lauren Young and Shineah Goody shone as their SA side kicked 8.12 (60) to WA's 4.1 (25) at Pentanet Stadium on Sunday.
Young, who won the SANFLW Best and Fairest in 2021 at just 15-years-old, starred on the comeback trail from an ACL injury last year. She kicked three goals – including the first two of the game – from 20 disposals while also swinging back to support in defence late in quarters.
Last year's South Australian and Championships' most valuable player Goody was best on ground with 30 disposals, six clearances and four inside 50s. She covered the ground effortlessly and was key to her side's big win.
Meanwhile Jemma Whitington-Charity had a big second half, finishing the game with 15 disposals and four rebounds and Brooke Boileau was strong through the middle with 20 disposals and eight tackles.
For Western Australia Zipporah Fish starred, catching out the opposition with her speed and agility, able to break tackles and neatly deliver the ball into attack. Fish registered 13 disposals for the game, 11 of which were kicks.
In attack Ella Slocombe moved well and got on the end of WA's best passage of play for the day to slot a goal to go with her 15 touches.
Down back Mackenzie Webb was given the unenviable task of limiting Young, and despite the South Australian's output, Webb certainly didn't lose any fans with her 10 disposals, four marks and two rebounds 50s.
Several siblings of current AFLW players were also on show. Ruby Ballard, sister of Adelaide's Abbie, kicked a neat goal for SA. New Port Adelaide recruit Matilda Scholz's younger sister Poppy showed off her vertical leap through the ruck for the winners, while Holly Britton, sister of West Coast's Jaide won 11 disposals and looked lively all day.
The U18 Championships are set to resume on Sunday, July 2 between the Allies and Vic Metro at Brighton Homes Arena in Queensland.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA 0.1 1.1 1.1 4.1 (25)
SOUTH AUSTRALIA 2.4 5.7 6.11 8.12 (60)
GOALS
Western Australia: Natasha Entwistle, Anjelique Raison, Noa McNaughton, Ella Slocombe
South Australia: Lauren Young 3, Brooke Boileau, India Rasheed, Ruby Ballard, Zara Walsh, Melissa Anderson
COACHES' BEST
Western Australia: Zipporah Fish, Mackenzie Webb, Ella Slocombe, Noa McNaughton, Kaitlyn Srhoj, Jaime Henry
South Australia: Shineah Goody, Jacinda Schunselaar, Brooke Boileau, Jemma Whitington-Charity, Holly Ifould, Lauren Young
