SANFL Women’s Round 3 review: Roosters crow as Tigers claw back on winners list

LAST year’s South Australian National Football League (SANFL) Women’s grand finalists head into the first season break undefeated, as South Adelaide and North Adelaide prepare to renew hostilities in Round 4. In other results, Glenelg and Sturt both got on the board for their first wins of the season, defeating last year’s newcomers in Central District and Woodville-West Torrens respectively.

CENTRAL DISTRICT 0.1 | 0.1 | 1.3 | 1.4 (10)
GLENELG 2.5 | 5.8 | 6.11 | 8.12 (60)

GOALS:

Central: K. Rosenzweig.
Glenelg: C. Gould 4, M. Speechley, B. Tonon, S. Moon, L. Armitage.

HIGH DISPOSALS:

Central: D. Sonneman 19
Glenelg: C. Gould 17, Z. Smith 17, M. Freeman 15

An avalanche of scoring opportunities for the previously-winless Glenelg has seen the Tigers defeat Central District by 50 points at X Convenience Oval. In what was the Bulldogs’ second consecutive loss by 50 points or more after an impressive Round 1 win, it was the scoring depth of the Tigers that got them home in the end. They booted five goals from 13 scoring shots in the first half to just one behind, before the Bulldogs scored their first – and only – goal in the third term. Central restricted its opposition to just the three goals in the second half, but the Tigers were just two good in the end, led by Adelaide AFL Women’s player Caitlin Gould who slotted 4.4 in what could have been an even bigger day for the forward, had it not been for inaccuracy.

The inaccuracy did start early for the Tigers, with Melinda Speechley and Gould able to kick majors in between five behinds for the yellow and black, while Katelyn Rosenzweig got the Bulldogs on the board with a behind in the opening three minutes, but scoring chances would be scarce after that. Three more consecutive goals for the visitors through Lucy Armitage, Brooke Tonon and Soriah Moon brought the lead out to 37 points as Glenelg had 13 scoring shots to one heading into the main break. Coming out of half-time with plenty of work to do, the Bulldogs hit the scoreboard with the first three scores, but two were behinds courtesy of a rushed one, and Laitiah Huynh, before Rosenzweig broke the drought with a major at the five-minute mark to cut the deficit to under five goals. Just as the hope was starting to rise for the Bulldogs, Gould came to play – albeit with three consecutive behinds before putting one through in the dying minutes of the term. By that stage, the lead was out to 38 and for all of Central’s good work early in the term, the Tigers had extended the margin in the quarter. Gould got to capitalise on her third term inaccuracy with two more majors late in the game after another Huynh behind, to push the margin out to a half century in an impressive victory in the end.

Statistically, Glenelg dominated possession, winning 62 more disposals and recorded 13 more marks. The Tigers were far too strong out of the middle with hitouts (+20), clearances (+9) and inside 50s (+18) to give their forwards plenty of opportunities in front of goal. While Glenelg did not make the most of all of its inside 50 chances, they had enough to do serious damage. Central’s defence did its best under the circumstances with 28 rebounds to 17, but it was a comprehensive win to the Tigers in a victory that the club will hope can kick-start its year.

Gould was the standout with 17 disposals, six marks (two contested), 18 hitouts, four clearances, two inside 50s and 4.4 in a match-winning performance. Also among the best were Madisyn Freeman (15 disposals, three clearances and two inside 50s), Tessa Kohn (13 disposals, five clearances, five tackles, three inside 50s) and Armitage (13 disposals, seven tackles, four inside 50s and two clearances). Moon worked well with Gould, teaming up for 12 disposals, four marks, 15 hitouts, three clearances, three inside 50s and a goal of her own, while Speechley drove the ball inside 50 a team-high five times to go with her 12 touches, six marks and 1.2

For the Bulldogs, Demi Sonneman tried hard throughout four quarters to be the best on the losing side, recording a team-high six rebounds, as well as 19 disposals and two marks. Ever-present back there with her was Kimberley Fry (11 disposals, two marks and four rebounds), while Alicia Butler (five disposals, five tackles and four rebounds) also cleared the ball on a number of occasions. The other players to win double-figure disposals were Shelby Smith (14 disposals, four marks, four tackles, four clearances, four inside 50s and two rebounds) and Huynh (13 disposals, two marks, three tackles and three inside 50s). Rosenzweig was again the main target up forward, taking a couple of contested marks and laying four tackles form seven disposals and 1.1.

Next week Glenelg takes on the winless Woodville-West Torrens, while Central District hopes to bounce back against Sturt with the Double Blues recording their first victory of the season on the weekend.

NORTH ADELAIDE 2.3 | 3.4 | 5.5 | 6.6 (42)
WEST ADELAIDE 0.0 | 1.3 | 1.3 | 3.3 (21)

GOALS:

North: A. Woodland 3, M. McKendrick, K. Pope, K. Reynolds.
West: M. Elsegood, A. Hardwick.

HIGH DISPOSALS:

North: A. Woodland 22, L. Tynan 18, C. Castle 17, L, Daniel 17, L. Gauci 17, K. Case 15, K. Harvey 15, K. Pope 15, E. Sundstrom 15
West: Z. Venning 26, E. Smith 18, A. Ballard 17, R. Martin 16

A dominant possession-fest from North Adelaide has seen the Roosters win the top of the table clash against their western rivals, winning 6.6 (42) to 3.3 (21) over the Bloods. Both sides headed into the clash with some impressive victories so far this season, but it was a four-quarter performance from the Roosters – particularly over the first three quarters – that locked in the points for them. With nine players picking up 15 or more disposals on the team’s way to a season-high 270 disposals in the game, it was a record-breaking day for the winning team.

North Adelaide had all the play in the opening term as Mollie McKendrick and Ashleigh Woodland converted majors in the first seven minutes. Three consecutive behinds followed for the Roosters to lead by 15 points at the break, and then Kathryn Reynolds‘ early major in the second extended the lead out to 21 before the Bloods registered a score. West Adelaide controlled the majority of the scoring in the second term, but could not make the most of its chances, booting 1.3 to 0.1 after Reynolds’ goal, cutting the deficit to a more manageable 13 points. Melanie Elsegood was the goal kicker for the Bloods, but it would be her opposition’s leading goalkicker that would strike first in the second half, with Woodland slotting her second goal, followed up by a late major in the dying seconds of the third term when Katelyn Pope made one count. By the last change, the lead was out to 26 points and the Bloods knew they would need something special. Abby Hardwick and Elsegood gave the visitors some hope in the match with back-to-back goals in the seven minutes after the break; the margin back to 14 points. Unfortunately that was as close as they got as Woodland again popped up to boot 1.1 herself and just give her side the breathing space it needed to win by 21 points.

Despite the Bloods picking up their fair share of the ball, they were no match for the Roosters who recorded a massive 69 more disposals despite their opposition recording more than 200 touches in the game. They also used the ball more effectively with 70 per cent disposal efficiency to the Bloods’ 60 per cent. A high volume of marks with 54 to 30 also favoured the Roosters, but more remarkably was the tackle count with North Adelaide registering 21 more tackles despite having so much more of the ball. Their hunger on both the inside and outside was evident as they won the hitouts (+4) and clearances (+2), with a comprehensive win in the inside 50s (+10).

When it comes to individual numbers, it was almost beyond belief for the Roosters with every player picking up at least five touches, and just eight recording single-digit disposals – the same amount of players with 15 or more. Of the prominent ball winners, Woodland was again the star, showing off her AFL Women’s experience on her way to 22 touches, seven marks, three clearances, two tackles, two inside 50s and 3.2. Leah Tynan (18 disposals, two marks, six tackles, three clearances and four inside 50s), Cristie Castle (17 disposals, five marks), Lauren Daniel (17 disposals, two marks, two tackles and two clearances) and Lauren Gauci (17 disposals, five marks – two contested – five tackles and two inside 50s) were the prominent ones. Out of defence, Kate Case (15 disposals, five marks and three rebounds) and Kristi Harvey (15 disposals, five marks and three rebounds) were strong, while Pope had a team-high eight rebounds to go with 15 disposals and four tackles.

West Adelaide’s Zoe Venning picked up the most touches in the match with 26, as well as six marks (two contested), three clearances, two inside 50s and three rebounds. Emma Smith (18 disposals, three tackles, three inside 50s and two rebounds) was prominent, working hard with the Bloods’ two main ball winners in Abbie Ballard (17 disposals, five tackles, three clearances and three inside 50s) and Rachelle Martin (16 disposals, four tackles and five clearances). Out of defence, Keeley Kustermann was again reliable with 12 disposals and six rebounds, teaming up well with Madison Russell (12 and three) and Naimh Davis (10 and four).

Next weekend is a bye before Round 4 commences across March 13-14, North Adelaide takes on South Adelaide in a grand final rematch, while West Adelaide faces Norwood earlier in the evening on Saturday, March 14.

WWT EAGLES 1.0 | 2.1 | 4.3 | 4.4 (28)
STURT 2.0 | 3.2 | 5.3 | 5.6 (36)

GOALS:

WWT: J. Tabb 3, K. Lee.
Sturt: A. Ballard 2, A. Brown, A. Ladas, Z. Prowse.

HIGH DISPOSALS:

WWT: S. Walker 18
Sturt: G. Bevan 20, I. Kuiper 18, J. Wittervan 16

Sturt has broken its winless drought to start season 2020, whilst handing Woodville-West Torrens a third straight single-digit defeat on the weekend. Both sides headed into the SANFL Women’s Round 3 clash with back-to-back defeats, with the Eagles particularly unlucky after being in front in both their clashes before losing in tight circumstances. The result meant the Double Blues get on the board and could use the win as a way to kick-start their season, while the Eagles will need to play catch-up in the coming weeks across such a short season.

Sturt only took four minutes to get on the board in the first term when Arabella Brown converted a goal, which was soon counted by Adelaide Crows’ AFL Women’s player Jaimi Tabb who responded a mere 90-odd seconds later. In the dying minutes, Alex Ballard put her side in front, helping Sturt to a six-point lead at quarter time. Another early goal in the second term – this time to Zoe Prowse – again extended the lead for the Double Blues – before Tabb stepped up to the plate for a second term to keep her side in touch and head into the break seven points down. Back-to-back goals to Sturt in the third term – to Ballard and Ally Ladas – blew the margin to 18 points, before Kiana Lee booted her first of the contest, and Tabb made it really interesting with a late goal dragging the margin back to a straight kick. The fourth term was a battle of attrition as Mikayla Cavallaro booted a behind in the opening minute to cut the deficit to five, but neither side could put one through the big sticks, with Sturt booting three behinds over the next 10 minutes to eventually hold off the Eagles in an eight-point win.

Both sides had an identical amount of disposals – 197 – with the Eagles opting for a much more handball-based game with a 1.31 kick-to-handball ratio compared to the Double Blues’ 2.52 ratio. For the third consecutive week, the Eagles won the tackle count (69-51), but Sturt was the clear winner in marks, taking 27 more across the ground. Sturt also dominated the hitouts (31-13) and inside 50s (39-16), but the Eagles defence remarkably held up well despite that count, winning the rebounds 33-12. They also marginally won the clearances (+4) in a sign that the midfield could match it with some quality onballers.

Co-captain Georgia Bevan topped the disposal count in the match with 20, as well as three marks, six tackles, four clearances and three inside 50s in a crucial role for the Double Blues. Isobel Kuiper was also important in there with 18 disposals, five arks, six tackles, four clearances and two inside 50s, while Prowse did well as the number one ruck with 16 hitouts, 14 disposals, three marks, four clearances and three inside 50s. Jaimee Wittervan had an equal team-high five inside 50s to accompany 16 disposals, three tackles and three clearances, while Maya Rigter was strong in the midfield with seven tackles, 14 disposals, three marks, two clearances and three inside 50s.

For the Eagles, Stephanie Walker led the way with disposals, picking up 18 and eight tackles, as well as three clearances, two inside 50s and two rebounds, while ruck, Amie Blanden worked hard around the ground for 13 disposals, 10 hitouts, two marks, two clearances and two rebounds. Moving the ball well in transition from half-forward was Lee who had 11 disposals, four marks, two tackles, four inside 50s and 1.2, while Tabb was the clear dominant target at full-forward, booting 3.1 from 10 touches and laying five tackles. In defence, Ashlee Reid had a match-high five rebounds to go with 11 touches and nine tackles, while Tesharna Maher (12 disposals, two marks and four rebounds) and Grace Smallacombe (10 disposals, four rebounds) were also prolific in an under-siege defence.

Following the week off, Woodville-West Torrens takes on Glenelg, with Sturt facing Central District in a double-header day at X Convenience Oval on Friday, March 13.

SOUTH ADELAIDE 1.1 | 4.1 | 8.1 | 9.2 (56)
NORWOOD 0.1 | 2.2 | 3.2 | 4.2 (26)

GOALS:

South: J. Kirk 4, T. Buethke, K. Nijhuis, M. Bennett, T. Meyer,
Norwood: A. Ferrall, J. Halfpenny, J. Hill, B. Smith. I. Tahau.

HIGH DISPOSALS:

South: T. Charlton 26, T. Meyer 22, C. Cavouras 20, S. Pratt 18, E. Brockhurst 15
Norwood: J. Halfpenny 19, M. Zander 18

Reigning premier, South Adelaide produced its best performance of 2020 to-date, downing last year’s minor premier, Norwood by 30 points in the final game of the round. The Panthers remain undefeated with the win to sit second overall on the table, booting seven out of eight consecutive goals from the ninth minute of the second term through to the sixth minute of the fourth term to run away with the 9.2 (56) to 4.2 (26) victory. They head into the first weekend off with a perfect start to the season, while the Redlegs head in with a 1-2 record and hoping to find some form in the next part of the SANFL Women’s season.

The first quarter was rather quiet for two sides that can be known for their heavy scoring, as a Jess Kirk goal was the only major for the Panthers midway through the term, either side of a behind for both teams. Trailing by six points at quarter time, Alison Ferrall started a flurry of activity for both teams early in the second term, booting a goal two minutes into the quarter, one of four over the next seven minutes with the teams jostling for momentum. Tahlita Buethke responded a minute later for South to regain the lead, but no sooner had she done that, Jade Halfpenny converted for Norwood and the scores were all-square once again. A few minutes later, Kelly Nijhuis slotted an important goal, and in the dying seconds of the half, Indy Tahau put one through the big sticks for the Panthers to carry the momentum into the second half with an 11-point lead. Carry that momentum they did, with Madison Bennett and Kirk blowing the lead out to 23 points just four minutes into the third term, before an important stabilising goal to Bella Smith nudged it back under three goals. That was about it for Norwood though, as Tahlia Meyer and Kirk’s third goal all but put an end to the resistance with a game-high 29-point advantage by the final break. Kirk kicked her fourth early in the last term and many feared it could be a blowout, but Jo Hill managed to get one back and the Redlegs kept the scoring to a minimum to save some percentage and ensure the margin remained at 30 by the final siren.

South out-possessed the possession-heavy Redlegs with 261 to 199 disposals for the game, running at almost a 50 per cent balance between kicks and handballs, while Norwood had double the kicks compared to handballs in the game. The Panthers’ disposal was slick, recording an elite 74 per cent which was one of the highest of the season, compared to Norwood’s 60 per cent, and they laid 17 more tackles. The Redlegs had nine more marks than their opponents, won the hitouts (+3), clearances (+4) and inside 50s (+13), with the latter particularly disappointing that they did not make more of their chances. The Panthers defence deserve plaudits with 33 rebounds to 14, in what was ultimately a game about making opportunities count. With 11 scoring shots from 24 entries, South Adelaide scored at almost 50 per cent of the time they went inside 50, while Norwood sat at just 16 per cent (six from 37).

South Adelaide had a wealth of performers on the day, with Teah Charlton again a standout player, racking up a match-high 26 disposals, one mark, six tackles, two clearances, five inside 50s and two rebounds, joined in the bests by fellow ball-winners, Meyer (22 disposals, two marks, three tackles, four inside 50s and two rebounds) and Czenya Cavouras (20 disposals, one mark, seven tackles, four clearances and three inside 50s). Samantha Pratt was also busy with 18 disposals, eight tackles and six rebounds out of defence, working well with Emily Brockhurst (15 disposals, four marks and four rebounds) and Montana McKinnon (14 disposals, seven marks – four contested – three hitouts, two inside 50s and four rebounds) who slipped back into defence. Kirk’s four majors came from just seven disposals and three marks – all contested – while Tahau took over the majority of the ruck duties with the teenager picking up 12 hitouts to go with her 14 touches, four marks – two contested – three clearances, two inside 50s and a goal.

Norwood still had a number of impressive players with Halfpenny leading the disposal-count thanks to 19 touches, three marks – one contested – two tackles, one clearance and two inside 50s. Matilda Zander was prominent on the outside and strong overhead with 18 disposals, eight marks – four contested – four inside 50s and three tackles, while Isabel Martin laid a team-high eight tackles to go with her 14 disposals, five marks, two clearances and three inside 50s. Ruck, Leah Cutting won the most clearances on the day with seven, as well as 19 hitouts, 11 disposals and six tackles in the loss, aided by Mattea Breed around stoppages who finished with a second-high of three clearances, as well as 13 disposals, two marks and two inside 50s. Lindsay Bigg and Alana Lishmund combined for 19 disposals and nine inside 50s, pumping the ball into the Redlegs’ front six in a big to try and create some more scoring opportunities.

The entire competition has a bye next weekend, but the following one sees South Adelaide doing battle in a grand final rematch and top-of-the-table clash against North Adelaide, while Norwood takes on West Adelaide in the earlier game at Flinders University Stadium on Saturday, March 14.

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