Football Update

Women’s Football

The team currently holds a 2–4 record, with an important match against Sturt coming up this week. The focus will be on building from key learnings over the past few rounds to deliver a strong performance.

Rachelle Martin made a guest appearance in Round 6, adding valuable experience to the midfield. It was great to see Rachelle back in the bloods colours as she continues her AFLW career at Adelaide. Shelby Knoll from Richmond’s AFLW side recently undertook a dedicated training block with us, and we look forward to welcoming her back in the future if the opportunity arises.

Several of our players have been involved in state-level representation recently. Hannah Button, Emma Kilpatrick, Zoe Venning, and Ruby Ballard were selected for the senior state games, while Sarah Deed and Scarlett Blethyn represented the club in the State Under-16s.

In the State Under-18s squad, we’re proud to have five players included: Chloe Tonkin, Lucy Waye, Stephanie Tredwell, Gracie Sim, and Emily Mableson — a strong sign of the club’s emerging talent.

We also acknowledge the contributions of Lauren Gee, along with our development league players and officials, who continue to support the broader women’s program. They have shown terrific growth this season and we look forward to continuing their involvement in the program.

Additionally, we were pleased to see 5 debutants take to the field recently, highlighting the depth of the squad and the strength of our development pathways.

Wheelchair Football

We are thrilled to have been granted the opportunity to join the SANFL Wheelchair Football League. The team will be led by our inaugural Coach Giang Danh, who brings valuable experience and leadership to the group.

The roster includes several talented players to date who we will announce in the coming weeks, each of whom is eager to contribute to the team’s success in the upcoming season. We will continue to add to this playing list in the coming weeks as we work towards the season start date in June.

If you or anyone you know are interested in participating please contact the club. Fielding a team in this competition has been a focus area for us for some time now, and we are looking forward to welcoming a new group of players, officials and supporters to our club.

If you would like to talk to someone about partnership opportunities with our Wheelchair Football team, please contact harry.tidmarsh@westadelaidefc.com.au

Centre of Excellence & Young Bloods Academy

Both the U16 and U18 teams have demonstrated strong potential throughout the first part of the season. However, as is often the case in junior sport, the focus now shifts to achieving week-to-week consistency in performance.

Looking ahead, several players will be in and out of the teams due to their college football commitments. This presents a great opportunity for others to step up and seize their moment on the field.

Mitchell Marsh has earned a well-deserved spot in the U18 state squad, which is a significant achievement. Additionally, five players were selected to represent the Next Generation Academy in a showcase game that was held at Tanunda Recreation Park as part of the AFL Gather Round, a testament to the high standard of talent within our ranks.

The Country Academy sessions have now commenced, with activities taking place in Barmera, Karoonda, and Tailem Bend. Over 160 players, both boys and girls, are participating across the country zone, showing the depth and enthusiasm for the sport in these regions.

Next week, we’ll be visiting Roxby Downs for a training session followed by games, which is a fantastic opportunity to engage with players in the area.

The U14 season has now concluded, and our team has demonstrated exceptional talent and game play against some high-quality opponents, which bodes well for the future. A special thanks goes to Tom Keough and his dedicated team of coaches and support staff. The feedback we’ve received from all areas has been overwhelmingly positive, particularly regarding the professionalism and the educational aspects of the program, which has been invaluable for player development.

Mens Football

Sunday was a memorable day at Prospect, which really showcased the team’s great character in overcoming adversity. The team refused to give in when it became difficult and they willed each other to the finish line. It was a moment to celebrate, but our attention has quickly turned to the next challenge as we look to improve again. The support from everyone has been invaluable, and we’re grateful for it. Everyone is working as hard as possible to ensure we have more days like that.

The win gives us a glimpse of what we’ve been working toward and what we’re aiming to achieve more consistently in the future. It’s a step in the right direction, and we’re excited to continue building on this momentum.

In addition, our Reserves secured their first win of the season, which is another positive development for the club. Credit to everyone involved who turn up each week ready to take feedback on board and develop their game.

Looking ahead, we’re excited about the coming weeks as we focus on building on our progress and further developing our game. So far in 2025 we’ve had 11 debutants, bringing the total to 34 since Adam took on the role of senior coach. This is a testament to the depth and potential of our squad. The bulk of our future is here and we will continue to support them in their progression.

While some players are still battling injuries, we’re also excited to welcome others back into the team, and we’re confident that as we move forward, we’ll only continue to improve.

Go Bloods!

Paul Streatfield

Head of Football and Talent