MINOR premiers, Morphettville Park has been knocked off in the preliminary final by Salisbury in the South Australian Women’s Football League (SAWFL) Division One. However, its reserves made it to the big stage after a comfortable win over Christies Beach, making for a compelling day of Grand Finals at Aldi Arena on Sunday.

SAWFL Division One:

MORPHETTVILLE PARK 0.3 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.8 (26)
SALISBURY 1.2 | 2.4 | 4.8 | 5.8 (38)

GOALS:

Morphettville Park: L. Bellinger, C. Swanson, E. Fauser.
Salisbury: N. Baker 2, J. Sonneman 2, S. Hoyle.

BEST:

Morphettville Park: E. Fauser, L. Buchanan, B. Walling, M. Rigter, H. Priest, L. Whiteley
Salisbury: J. Sonneman , M. Freeman, M. Hollick, K. Rosenzweig, K. Fry, S. O”Brien

Salisbury has knocked off minor premiers, Morphettville Park in a thriller to make its way into the SAWFL Grand Final. The Magpies were able to capitalise on a slow start from the Roos, where they only kicked three behinds in the first quarter. They then fought back in the second quarter, kicking three goals to one to take the lead going into the main break. But that was all the Roos could manage in terms of goal kicking, failing to register a major in the second half. Salisbury took advantage of this by kicking three second-half goals to seal a spot on the big stage next week. 

Nicole Baker was the only multiple goal kicker on the day, booting two out of Salisbury’s five goals. She was complemented by majors from Jayme-Lee Sonneman and Sophie Hoyle. Sonneman was also named best-on-ground for the Magpies while South Australia Under 18 representatives, Madisyn Freeman and Katelyn Rosenzweig were named second and fourth-best respectively. For Morphettville Park, Lucy Bellinger, Caitlyn Swanson and Ellen Fauser were the goal kickers and Fauser was also named best-on-ground. Lauren Buchanan, Brianna Walling, Maya Rigter, Hannah Priest and Lisa Whiteley were also shining lights for the Roos.

SAWFL Division One Reserves:

MORPHETTVILLE PARK 3.1 | 6.5 | 7.5 | 9.5 (59)
CHRISTIES BEACH 0.1 | 0.2 | 2.3 | 2.4 (16)

GOALS:

Morphettville Park: K. Pedlar 4, K. Buchalka 2, A. Magi, C. Karamoshos, E. Williams.
Christies Beach: E. Brockhurst, C. Coombe.

BEST:

Morphettville Park: K. Pedlar, C. Karamoshos, L. Armitage, C. Dona, B. Wells, B. Ramsey
Christies Beach: T. Campbell, E. Brockhurst, L. Fitzgibbons, M. Kelly, C. Coombe

Christies Beach got off to a slow start in this match, failing to register a major in the first half. Morphettville Park took advantage of this, kicking away to a 39-point lead at half-time. The Saints were able to even out the scoring in the second half, kicking two goals compared to Morphettville Park’s three majors. But the Roos’ superior scoring power proved too difficult to overcome for the Saints, and they ultimately fell short of the Roos, and of a Grand Final, by 43 points. 

Kale Pedlar was best-on-ground for the Roos with four goals while Kaily Buchalka kicked two. Amelia Magi, Chloe Karamoshos and Emily Williams were the other single goal kickers for Morphettville Park. For Christies Beach, Emily Brockhurst and Casie Coombe were the goal kickers while Tammy Campbell was named best-on-ground. Both goal kickers were also named among the Saints’ best, along with Layla Fitzgibbons and Melinda Kelly. Morphettville Park will now face off against minor premiers, Adelaide University in next week’s Grand Final.