Three exciting female football talents with Broken Hill connections—Emmerson Lihou, Mia Salisbury, and Emma Daley—all further enhanced their football credentials at the 2023 South Australian National Football League (SANFL) Under-15 and Under-17 Girls football championships.
These championships were held over three days this week at suburban Adelaide grounds, starting on Tuesday, October 10, and concluding on Thursday, October 12.
Lihou, who is still just 14 and eligible to play another year at the Under-15s level, impressed as a small forward. She also took turns in the midfield rotations.
Lihou is a Broken Hill native currently playing in Mildura.
Emmerson’s father, Steven Lihou, is a former North Bulldogs footballer. He and his wife Nicole are now based in Gol Gol.
For the North Adelaide Under-15s side, which dominated the competition, Lihou opened with a goal in the big round-one 78-point win at the Ponderosa against Central District.
She was among the best players in the round-two match against Sturt at Thebarton on Wednesday. Lihou also scored another major goal in a 73-point win.
Lihou made it three goals in as many games as the Roosters completed a clean sweep by defeating Norwood in a high-class encounter, with a score of 6.6 (42) to 2.6 (18). She was the third-best player for North in this contest.
Both Mia Salisbury and Emma Daley represented the Norwood Under-17s. Salisbury, who now plays for Bond University in Queensland, stood out in the opening Tuesday clash against Sturt at Thebarton Oval.
Salisbury delivered a best-on-ground performance in the midfield, showing strong decision-making skills and accumulating numerous touches.
Daley, also a Gol Gol resident, was among the best players in Norwood’s 5.9 (39) to 3.5 (23) victory.
In a subsequent low-scoring match at Elizabeth Oval, Norwood lost by two goals, with a score of 2.6 (18) to 0.6 (6).
However, both Daley and Salisbury continued to perform strongly.
Norwood rebounded with a decisive win in their final game against North Adelaide, triumphing with a comfortable 27-point margin, 7.6 (48) to 3.3 (21).
Daley was again a strong contributor throughout the three days.
Salisbury is also a part of the Gold Coast Suns Girls Development Academy and played for Queensland Under-18s as a bottom-ager in 2023.
Emma’s parents, Peter, and Jane Daley are former Broken Hill residents. Emma’s aunt, Erica Wilkins (née Schmidt), is a former Central Magpies women’s player and currently plays footy with the Bendigo Pioneers.
PICTURE: Emmerson Lihou, Mia Salisbury and Emma Daley. PETER ARGENT
