A host of close losses among a long losing streak consigned the Southern Saints to a bottom-two finish in 2024, however there were still positives within the 4-10 campaign.
BY THE NUMBERS
Position: 11th
W-L-D %: 4-10 (63.4%)
Players used: 43
Played every match: 4 – Bella Enno, Chloe Hunt, Ali Hynes, Charlotte Ryan
AFLW players used: 4 (25 matches)
Debutants: 17 – Charley Ansell-Jones, Courtney Aughtie, Aine Bennett, Tenae Browne, Zahlia Clarke, Kheely Cornwall, Felicity Crank, Chloe Hunt, Ahlee Penry, Piper Phelan, Jemma Radings, Ashleigh Russell, Ella Sciberras, Maiya Stobie, Indi Toledo-Glasman, Maddison Torpey, Margot Whitney
STAR PERFORMERS
Best and Fairest: 1st: Charlotte Ryan; 2nd: Georgia Foran, 3rd: Tessa Boyd, 4th: Deanna Jolliffe; 5th: Winnie Laing
Lambert-Pearce Medal votes: Maddison Torpey (9), Tessa Boyd (6), Winnie Laing (6)
Coaches MVP votes: Tessa Boyd (29), Charlotte Ryan (23), Georgia Foran (17), Chloe Hunt (27)
VFLW Team of the Year representatives: Tessa Boyd, Charlotte Ryan
Leading Goal Kickers: Chloe Hunt 18, Sophie Phillips 3, Abbey Tregellis 3
STAT LEADERS
(Averages – Minimum 6 matches)
Disposals: Charlotte Ryan 18.0, Tessa Boyd 17.5, Winnie Laing 17.2
Contested Possessions: Maddison Torpey 12.1, Abbey Tregellis 9.2, Winnie Laing 8.5
Kicks: Tessa Boyd 12.0, Charlotte Ryan 11.6, Georgia Foran 10.4
Handballs: Winnie Laing 8.8, Maddison Torpey 7.9, Abbey Tregellis 6.8
Marks: Georgia Foran 4.2, Deanna Jolliffe 3.6, Caitlin Matthews 3.6
Tackles: Ali Hynes 7.9, Grace Hodder 6.3, Abbey Tregellis 5.0
Hitouts: Maddison Torpey 23.6, Ali Hynes 5.9, Courtney Aughtie 3.9
Clearances: Maddison Torpey 4.9, Gabby De Angelis 2.8, Charlotte Ryan 2.6
Inside-50s: Natalie Plane 3.0, Courtney Aughtie 2.4, Gabby De Angelis 2.4, Maddison Torpey 2.4
Rebound-50s: Tessa Boyd 5.5, Georgia Foran 3.6, Deanna Jolliffe 3.4
What went right: The Saints got their season off to a great start with wins over grand finalist Collingwood and Darebin to kick off the season and finished well with a big away victory over Casey that cost the Demons a spot in the finals. That shows they were capable, and they have most of the building blocks to make a quick bounce. First-year player Chloe Hunt looks to be a star and booted 18 majors to comfortably lead the Saints’ goal kicking.
What went wrong: An inability to get over the line in close games crippled the Saints’ chances of a successful season. Their eight-game losing streak from Rounds 3-10 ruled them out of any chance of playing finals, but they had their chances to win all but one of those. They could defend, but apart from Hunt, they couldn’t score.
Summary: The aforementioned Hunt kicked 18 goals in 14 goals, but she was the Saints’ only avenue to goal given the second-best scorers managed just three majors for the season. Two narrow wins over 2023 grand finalist Collingwood were the highlight. The seven of eight-straight losses came by 18 points or less suggesting they can bounce quickly if they can find another forward or two.
Grade: 4/10
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