SANFLW Season 2024

[Bluedemon]

Round 5 Hostplus SANFLW League Match Wraps


Glenelg 0.5 (5) lost to South Adelaide 4.3 (27)
South Adelaide is starting to make loud noises, conquering ladder-leading Glenelg by 22 points on the back of relentless defensive work at Stratarama Stadium.

The Panthers, winless after the first two rounds, kept the previously unbeaten Tigers goalless in a stunning performance to climb to second on the table.

Midfielder Nikki Nield again had a massive influence, amassing 25 possessions and nine tackles, to spark the Panthers, while Brooke Boileau finished with 29 disposals and six tackles. Down back, Esther Schirmer was brilliant for the visitors.

After putting 2.2 on the scoreboard and keeping the Tigers scoreless in the first quarter, the Panthers needed just 20 seconds of the second term to add another goal when Jordann Hickey got her name on the scoresheet.

The Tigers, with Jessica Bates going about her business in typical fashion to be the driving force, gained momentum in the second quarter. But they were wasteful with their ball movement.

The desperate Panthers refused to relax the pressure in the scrappy encounter and continually forced opponents into mistakes.


Sturt 3.4 (22) lost to Norwood 9.6 (60)
Norwood made a significant statement when it crushed Sturt by 38 points at Thebarton Oval.

The Redlegs dominated from the outset, putting 2.2 on the scoreboard for the opening quarter while keeping the Double Blues, coming off a huge win over Central District, scoreless.

Adelaide’s Najwa Allen led a resolute Redlegs defence, which constantly shut down dangerous attacking raids from the Double Blues, before providing the launchpad for forward thrusts.

The victory lifted the Redlegs into third spot on the ladder, albeit only percentage behind second-placed South Adelaide, and put rivals on notice they will be a major force in the race for the SANFLW crown.

The Double Blues had five more clearances and only five less trips inside their 50, but struggled to penetrate the composed Redlegs’ defensive wall.

And when the Redlegs, led by Tahlita Buethke with 28 possessions, did go into attack, they were potent in front of goal.

Buethke was a fitting winner of the 2024 Ellen Maple Medal, which was presented by Ellen’s family – Jane, Brett and Tess Maple.

The Double Blues were well served by the usual suspects with Isobel Kuiper, India Rasheed and Monique Bessen, the leading disposal winners.


Woodville-West Torrens 8.9 (57) d West Adelaide 2.4 (16)
West Adelaide young gun Lauren Young is facing the nightmare prospect of having another season blown apart by a knee injury.

Young, signed by Port Adelaide, was stretchered from the field in the first quarter of the 41-point defeat to Woodville-West Torrens at Maughan Thiem Kia Oval and will have scans on her left knee.

The classy Young missed the entire 2022 season following surgery on the right knee.

The injury further soured a poor performance from the Bloods, who have not beaten the Eagles since round 2, 2021.

It was an emphatic win by the Eagles, who recorded their second highest score and biggest winning margin after bagging five unanswered goals in the second half.

The Eagles had a whopping 29 more visits inside their 50. At three-quarter time, the inside 50 count was 41-5 in favour of the home side.

Captain Annie Falkenberg was outstanding for the Eagles, along with midfielder Shineah Goody and ruck Leah Cutting.


North Adelaide 6.6 (42) lost to Central District 8.4 (52)
Central District survived a huge scare from winless North Adelaide before securing the crucial premiership points by 10 points at Prospect Oval.

The reigning premier was forced to come from behind in the final quarter after seemingly having the game well within grasp in the second term when they held a commanding 26-point lead.

The Roosters, searching for their first win of the season, could finally smell a victory when they led by two points 14 minutes into the final quarter.

But they were denied the premiership points when Tessa Doumanis snapped a goal to put the Bulldogs back in front three minutes later. Caitlin Wendland then sealed the deal for the visitors with a late goal.

The Bulldogs looked in complete control when gun forward Katelyn Rosenzweig nailed her third goal and the side’s fourth as the quarter-time siren sounded.

But the home side, led by co-captain Jess Edwards with a game high 23 possessions, showed plenty of fight to charge back into the battle.

Olivia Levicki was again outstanding for the Bulldogs in ruck, Shelby Smith knows only one way and that is to the attack the contest and Charlotte Riggs stood tall in defence in the final quarter.

[Bluedemon]

Round 6
Saturday 13th April
Glenelg v Norwood – Glenelg Oval – 12:00pm
Central District v West Adelaide – X Convenience Oval – 12:00pm
Woodville-West Torrens v North Adelaide – Woodville Oval – 12:20pm
Sturt v South Adelaide – Thebarton Oval – 6:30pm

[Bluedemon]

2024 SANFLW State Squad Finalised

A 30-player squad has been finalised to represent the SANFLW State Team in its historic encounter against the WAFLW in Perth on Saturday May 4.

The Croweaters’ selection panel – headed by Chair Narelle Smith – used Sunday’s SANFLW All-Stars match as a guide before announcing the squad.

Including representatives from all eight SANFL clubs, the squad will be trimmed to 22 to don the cherished red guernsey across the Nullarbor.

To be coached by Crows AFLW assistant Courtney Cramey, the SANFLW line-up boasts plenty of star power with Central District premiership captain Shelby Smith, Glenelg’s 2022 SANFLW Best and Fairest Jessica Bates and West Adelaide ball magnet Zoe Venning among those to be considered for the centre square.

South Adelaide’s Soriah Moon looms as a key player to lead the ruck while her Panthers’ teammate Laquoiya Cockatoo-Motlap and Redlegs pair Tahlita Buethke and Tesharna Maher will provide plenty of outside run and carry.

In attack, last year’s SANFLW leading goalkicker Katelyn Rosenzweig should be a focal point while Eagle McKenzie Dowrick and Redlegs Kiana Lee and Jade Halfpenny can also hit the scoreboard with ease.

Woodville-West Torrens captain Annie Falkenberg, Panther Tiffany King and Bulldog Georgia Madigan will provide Cramey with options in the back half as they attempt to curtail the Sandgropers’ forward structure.

To be played at Optus Stadium as a curtain-raiser for the West Coast v Essendon AFL clash, it will be the first time since the Hostplus SANFLW League was established in 2017 that a Women’s State League clash takes place on the domestic stage.

Central District
Laitiah Huynh
Georgia Madigan
Caitlin Wendland
Shelby Smith
Katelyn Rosenzweig

Glenelg
Shay'Lee Dayman
Ash Dyer
Sam Franson
Jessica Bates
Marie Martino

North Adelaide
Sarah Steele-Park
Julia Clark

Norwood
Tahlita Buethke
Jade Halfpenny
Kiana Lee
Tesharna Maher

South Adelaide
Laquoiya Cockatoo-Motlap
Soriah Moon
Tiffany King

Sturt
Alisha Gepp
Isobel Kuiper

West Adelaide
Georgie Pater
Zoe Venning
Hannah Button

Woodville-West Torrens
Christina Leuzzi
McKenzie Dowrick
Olivia Evans
Annie Falkenberg
Poppy Waterford
Sophie Zuill

[Bluedemon]

Round 6 Hostplus SANFLW League Match Wraps

Woodville-West Torrens 8.10 (58) d North Adelaide 1.4 (10)
Woodville-West Torrens is entering foreign Hostplus SANFLW territory after crushing North Adelaide by 48 points at Maughan Thiem Kia Oval.

The victory was the Eagles’ third for the season after six rounds to be fifth on the ladder and they are only percentage behind fourth-placed Norwood.

In the five-year history of the Eagles in the League, they have finished no higher than seventh and they have already matched their most wins in a season – three in each of the past three years.

The Eagles put three behinds on the scoreboard in the first quarter and kept the Roosters scoreless. The game was still in the balance at half-time, before the home side upped the ante with a superb team effort.

Ruck Leah Cutting was again outstanding for the Eagles, Grace Martin was busy and tackling machine Poppy Waterford had a significant influence.

The Roosters, winless this season, had only 15 visits inside 50 compared to the Eagles’ 42 and their only goal was kicked by Tiara Hatchard 19 minutes into the second term.


Sturt 3.7 (25) lost to South Adelaide 5.4 (34)
South Adelaide used a powerful second quarter domination to overcome a plucky Sturt by nine points in a challenging tussle at Thebarton Oval.

With Soriah Moon controlling the ruck, the Panthers piled on four goals in the second term while keeping the Double Blues scoreless to blow the game apart. South teenager Lily Baxter nailed the third of those goals, her first at SANFLW level.

The Panthers only kicked one more goal, courtesy of Laquoiya Cockatoo-Collins in the opening seconds of the final quarter, and were kept scoreless in the third term.

When Summer Rose kicked the Double Blues’ first goal 11 minutes into the third term, it ended an amazing run by Panthers in which they had not conceded a goal for nine successive quarters.

The Double Blues, with Monique Bessen running amok and the side’s pressure worrying the Panthers, ate further into the deficit only a minute later when Kate Harris added a second goal.

But with the game on the line in the final quarter, Jordann Hickey and Moon had an impact to ensure the Panthers remained in second spot on the ladder.


Glenelg 8.4 (52) d Norwood 7.6 (48)
Eloise Mackereth emerged the hero for Glenelg when she nailed a set shot from 30m just seconds from the final siren to give her side a four-point victory over Norwood at Stratarama Stadium.

The Tigers were seemingly headed for defeat, before Mackereth pulled down a strong mark and kicked truly for her third goal.

The Redlegs hit the front for the first time 17 minutes into the final term when Stephanie Simmonds took advantage of a free kick for high contact, and then a 25m penalty, to kick a goal.

But while Mackereth was feted as the hero, it was Jessica Bates who was the driving force, again, behind the triumph.

Bates amassed 34 possessions, kicked a goal and finished with an incredible 23 tackles, setting the record for most tackles laid by a player in a SANFLW League match.

The midfielder claimed the SANFLW best and fairest award in 2022 and she is a red-hot favourite to add another to her trophy cabinet.

The Tigers dominated the first quarter when they had eight more entries inside their 50 and bagged four goals.

However, the Redlegs won the inside 50 count 28-10 for the final three terms.


Central District 9.9 (63) d West Adelaide 3.5 (23)
Central District’s title-defence has received a boost following the impressive return to SANFLW action of small forward Georgie McKee.

The 17-year old, making her first league appearance in 708 days because of surgery to repair her ACL, bagged four goals in the Bulldogs’ emphatic 40-point victory over injury-hit West Adelaide at X Convenience Oval.

The hefty win lifted the Bulldogs to third on the ladder, only percentage behind South Adelaide and a game and percentage below top-placed Glenelg.

The Bulldogs set the tone for the encounter from the outset, putting 3.3 on the scoreboard for the first quarter while keeping the Bloods scoreless.

With captain Shelby Smith typically throwing herself into the fray, leading from the front as the Bulldogs dominated hit-outs, clearances and the inside 50 count. Key forward Katelyn Rosenzweig finished with 1.6.

Hannah Button was busy for the Bloods and accumulated 20 possessions and 11 tackles.

[Bluedemon]

Round 7
Friday 19th April
Glenelg v Woodville-West Torrens – Stratarama Stadium – 7:40pm

Saturday 20th April
South Adelaide v Central District – Flinders University Stadium – 3:50pm
Norwood v West Adelaide – Coopers Stadium – 5:00pm
Sturt v North Adelaide – Thebarton Oval – 6:00pm

[Bluedemon]

Round 7 Hostplus SANFLW Match Wraps


Norwood 3.2 (20) lost to West Adelaide 4.5 (29)
West Adelaide climbed back into the top four of the Hostplus SANFLW League ladder with a hard-fought nine-point win over Norwood at Coopers Stadium.

In a low-scoring encounter dominated by defence, the Bloods grabbed their fourth win to leapfrog the Redlegs, who dropped to fifth on the back of a second successive loss.

The opening quarter set the tone for the tight clash with both teams struggling in attack. The Redlegs dominated territory, but could only put a behind on the board.

Eight minutes into the final quarter, when Zoe Venning sent a scare through the Bloods’ camp when she limped off, there had been just four goals and two points separated the teams.

Mykaela Walker kicked a goal to give the Redlegs the lead, but the Bloods, as had been the case all game, kept fighting.

Hannah Button had a huge influence for the Bloods, finishing with 16 tackles and seven clearances. So it was appropriate she kicked the goal to put the visitors back in front.

Kendell Saffin then goaled to seal the deal for the Bloods.

Jade Halfpenny was the Redlegs’ highest possession winner in her 50th game, while teammate Shai Hiscock, also achieving the half century, had 13 tackles.


Sturt 2.6 (18) defeated North Adelaide 2.3 (15)
Sturt snapped a two-game losing streak when it overcame winless North Adelaide by just three points at Thebarton Oval.

The crucial win, their third for the season, enabled the Double Blues to remain in contact with the top four on the ladder.

Defence was the main course on the menu with just four goals kicked for the evening.

Lively Monique Bessen kicked the only goal of the first quarter when she soccered the ball through four minutes into the contest.

The Double Blues spent much of the term camped in attack, but the Roosters defence, led by Kristi Harvey, held firm.

Despite failing to score in the first quarter and registering two behinds in the second, the Roosters closed the gap to one point 11 minutes into the final term when Tayla Gordon kicked the only major for the quarter.


South Adelaide 7.4 (46) defeated Central District 2.4 (16)
South Adelaide’s supremacy over Central District at Flinders University Stadium has stretched into the 2024 season with the Panthers claiming a 30-point victory.

The Panthers, yet to lose to the Bulldogs at the Noarlunga ground, secured a fifth successive win and this was another significant statement.

The Bulldogs had risen to third on the ladder, but struggled to break down the Panthers, who are only two points below top-placed Glenelg.

Melissa Anderson kicked the only goal of the first quarter, before the Panthers added three goals in the second term to take control. The Bulldogs’ only score for the first half was a behind 18 minutes into the second quarter.

When Emily Brockhurst kicked the second of her three goals just 25 seconds into the third quarter, the Panthers’ lead had blown out to 30 points.

Caitlin Couch was highly productive for the Panthers, while Jordann Hickey, who had stints on the ball, had a heavy influence.


Glenelg 4.7 (31) defeated Woodville-West Torrens 3.0 (18)
Is there any stopping Glenelg’s gun midfielder Jessica Bates in the Hostplus SANFLW?

Coming off a record performance against Norwood the previous week, the league’s best and fairest favourite was at again against Woodville-West Torrens at Stratarama Stadium to spark the Tigers to their sixth win of the season.

Bates amassed 33 possessions and 12 tackles, and gained tremendous support from Jo Miller to enable the Tigers to hold out the plucky Eagles in a testing battle.

The opening quarter was a highly contested affair with the Tigers kicking the only goal when Shay’Lee Dayman grabbed the ball out of the ruck and snapped truly.

The issue for the Eagles was a breakdown in their movement across half forward. Despite seriously challenging the ladder-leading Tigers with their enthusiasm and terrific work ethic, the Eagles failed to score in the first and third terms.

Tackling machine Poppy Waterford was again prominent for the Eagles, while Leah Cutting dominated the ruck work.

The game was in the balance until seven minutes into the final quarter when Eloise Mackereth nailed a goal to put the Tigers 19 points clear.

[Bluedemon]

SANFLW Ladder After Round 7

Glenelg - 12 points - 59.61%
South - 10 points - 63.28%
Centrals - 8 points - 47.73%
West - 8 points - 45.32%

Norwood - 6 points - 56.21%
Eagles - 6 points - 51.65%
Sturt - 6 points - 45.91%
North - 0 points - 29%

[Bluedemon]

SANFLW Development Grand Final

Saturday 27th April

Flinders University Stadium

3:00pm Start

South Adelaide v Glenelg

[DOC]

South by a point.

[am Bays]

Glenelg by a contentious free and 25 m penalty after the siren....

[DOC]

Glenelg by a contentious free and 25 m penalty after the siren....

Will still be behind by a point.

[Bluedemon]

Round 8
Thursday 25th April
Glenelg v Sturt – Stratarama Stadium – 5:00pm

Friday 26th April
Norwood v South Adelaide – Coopers Stadium – 7:10pm

Saturday 27th April
North Adelaide v West Adelaide – Prospect Oval – 9:40am
Woodville-West Torrens v Central District – Maughan Thiem Kia Oval – 3:20pm