Weekend preview: SANFL Women’s – Round 2

THE second round of the South Australian National Football League (SANFL) Women’s takes place tonight with a grand final replay highlighting an exciting round of action.

NORTH ADELAIDE vs. STURT
Friday, February 22, 6.30pm
Coopers Stadium

The opening game of the round sees two losing sides from Round 1 face off to try and get their first win on the board. Both sides have made minimal changes, with Rooster, Gabrielle Gormlie coming in for her first game, replacing Sharni Tansell. For Sturt, Nicole Baker is a welcome inclusion back into the Double Blues’ side, as is Jessie Keech, while Casey Fraser is out with a broken hand, joining Della Griffith on the sidelines. Last week, Roosters captain Nadia Von Bertouch was a leader on-field with 15 disposals, four marks and eight tackles, while defender Amber Ward was efficient with 17 disposals and nine rebounds. Both sides will be keen to put more scores on the board with North booting 1.5 and the Double Blues 2.2. Izzy Kuiper was the highest disposal winner for Sturt with 15 touches and four tackles, while Alexandra Ballard, Georgia Bevan and Maya Rigter all recorded 12 disposals.

WEST ADELAIDE vs. WOODVILLE-WEST TORRENS
Friday, February 22, 7.30pm
City Mazda Stadium

West Adelaide hosts Woodville-West Torrens in a bid to make it two wins in a row for the Bloods, while the Eagles are hoping to snare an inaugural win. West Adelaide have just the one confirmed out – Lauren Rodata (concussion) – while bringing in three players with Jacalyn Pickering, Alice Gee and Mary Smith all named. The Eagles have rolled the dice with six players coming into the side and five outs. Madeline Dufek is the sole forced change with a knee injury, while Shae Pacifico-Hart, Taylor Hand and Courtney Jonson are also out of the side. Among the ins are Adelaide AFL Women’s forward, Sarah Perkins and South Australian Under-18 vice-captain, Rachel Dunstan. Madison Newman (26 disposals, four marks, six inside 50s and six rebounds) had a day out for the Bloods in Round 1, while Rachelle Martin laid a massive nine tackles to go with her 23 touches, four rebounds and a goal. Leah Swain was dominant in the ruck with 24 hitouts, as was Caitlin Sampson who recorded 19 for the Eagles. Jaimi Tabb and Georgia Taylor were equally as crucial for Woodville-West Torrens, notching up 17 disposals each, with Tabb going inside 50 five times, and Taylor rebounding the ball nine times. Kiana Lee was the sole beneficiary up forward with the Eagles’ two goals.

CENTRAL DISTRICT vs. GLENELG
Friday, February 22, 7.30pm
X Convenience Oval

Last year’s wooden spooners got their season off to the best possible start last week with a 35-point win over Woodville-West Torrens, while Central District fell to West Adelaide by 20 points. Lucy Bellinger racked up 23 disposals, 10 marks (two contested), five tackles, four inside 50s and two goals in a best on ground performance against the Bulldogs, while Ellen Fauser and Samantha Franson both picked up 15 disposals and kicked a goal. Central District have named two ins to their side with Kimberly Fry named on the half-back flanks and Shalee O’Brien brought onto an extended bench. Jayme-Lee Sonneman recorded 16 disposals, three marks, three tackles, three inside 50s and three rebounds, while Danielle Stewart (15 disposals, two marks and eight tackles) and Katelyn Rosenzweig (12 disposals, two contested marks ad three tackles) were also crucial in the loss. This week Rosenzweig was named at full-back with the Crows AFL Women’s forward looking likely to play in a new role tonight.

NORWOOD vs. SOUTH ADELAIDE
Friday, February 22, 8.15pm
Coopers Stadium

Two impressive winners from Round 1 were last year’s grand finalists and they face off in Round 2 in what should be considered the match of the round. The Redlegs have made just two changes to the side that triumphed in Round 1 and will be keen to back it up against the high-scoring Panthers outfit. Adelaide AFL Women’s young gun Nicky Gore was the big ball winner last week, racking up 19 disposals, five marks (two contested) and laying 10 tackles but will not take the field in this game. She was the sole out for the Panthers with Emily Woods, Natalie Gibbs and debutant, Emily Brockhurst named in the extended side. Hannah Munyard and Nicole Campbell also shared in 19 disposals, with the former booting a goal. Teah Charlton was lively up forward for the Panthers, creating havoc on her way to three goals. For Norwood, Hannah Dunn had a league-high 29 disposals in Round 1, while also recording four marks and five inside 50s. Najwah Allen booted the Redlegs’ two goals, while Monique Hollick continued where she left off last season with 12 touches and seven inside 50s.

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