WITH no football on given the current COVID-19 global pandemic, the Draft Central team takes a look at where the South Australian National Football League (SANFL) Women’s left off, and will examine each of the eight teams from reverse ladder order. Today’s team summary is Glenelg.

RECORD: 7th (1-3)

RESULTS:

R1: lost to North Adelaide by 24 points
R2: lost to West Adelaide by 40 points
R3: defeated Central District by 50 points
R4: lost to Woodville-West Torrens by 25 points

It was a mixed start to the season for Glenelg, only winning the one game in Round 3, but it was a huge 50-point victory over Central District. The return of Caitlin Gould from AFL Women’s duties certainly helped, but otherwise the Tigers could not quite get the wins on the board. North Adelaide and West Adelaide loom as two title contenders, though the fade away loss to the Eagles will sting a bit.

THE MATCHWINNER:

Caitlin Gould (17.0 disposals, 6.0 marks, 4.0 tackles, 18.0 hitouts, 4.0 clearances, 2.0 inside 50s, 4 goals)

It might have been for a one-time only show, but it was quite the performance that Gould put on against Central District. Rotating between forward and ruck, Gould racked up 17 disposals, six marks – two contested – four tackles, 18 hitouts, four clearances, two inside 50s and four goals in a best on ground performance. The AFL Women’s player could have even had a bigger performance with four behinds limiting her total goals for the day, but it was still an absolutely standout game. No doubt the Tigers would love to have Gould run out each and every week in the black and gold given she is so hard to stop.

THE BREAKTHROUGH TALENT:

Tessa Kohn (13.5 disposals, 1.5 marks, 4.8 tackles, 5.0 clearances, 2.5 inside 50s, 1.0 rebounds)

Earning a Breakthrough Player of the Week nod for her Round 4 performance against Woodville-West Torrens, Kohn had been building her resume throughout the season. Even on debut for the Tigers in Round 1, Kohn was a shining light with 12 touches and four clearances, before backing it up with a fierce effort the following week in a heavy defeat to the Bloods. She did not dip below four clearances a game, and in her final three matches had at least five tackles per game. Kohn was consistent as ever, named in the bests each week and would be the leading candidate for the club’s Best and Fairest award, if held.

THE EMERGING RUCK:

Soriah Moon (8.5 disposals, 1.0 marks, 4.3 tackles, 2.5 clearances, 1.3 inside 50s, 2 goals)

In her debut season, Moon has proven to be quite a handful through the ruck, winning double-figure hitouts each and every week. She had 24 against West Adelaide despite her side losing by 40, but then backed it up with a season-high 12 disposals, four marks and three inside 50s, as well as 14 hitouts and a goal against Central District a week later. Moon finished the season with two majors and showed that she is comfortable rucking against more experienced players.

THE PRESSURE PLAYERS:

Sam Franson (9.7 disposals, 1.3 marks, 6.3 tackles, 1.0 clearances, 1.7 inside 50s, 76% disposal efficiency)

While season 2020 might not have yielded the goals that Franson provided in 2019, her pressure game was just as high, averaging 6.3 tackles per game from her three matches. She had a standout performance in the loss against North Adelaide, racking up 16 touches – 15 kicks – six tackles, two inside 50s and two behind, but had limited chances against the Bloods a week later. Franson hunted the ball and ball carrier and provided the forward pressure required to ensure the ball is locked inside the forward 50, which is important for goal scoring opportunities.

Lucy Armitage (10.3 disposals, 1.3 marks, 8.0 tackles, 2.8 clearances, 1.3 inside 50s, 76% disposal efficiency, 1 goal)

Much like Franson, Armitage is a fierce tackler and reached double-figure tackles twice this season with 12 and 10 against West Adelaide and Woodville-West Torrens respectively. She spent more time in the midfield against the Eagles and unsurprisingly had her best game in 2020, recording seven clearances from 13 disposals, as well as 10 tackles in a 25-point loss. She uses the ball well and wins it at the coal face, and is a crucial player in the forward half of the ground, able to win her own ball and provide the pressure to force turnovers to help her teammates.

THE FUTURE LEADER:

Brooke Tonon (7.5 disposals, 1.5 marks, 1.0 tackles, 1.0 inside 50s, 67% disposal efficiency, 1 goal)

Still 18 months away from eligible to be drafted, Tonon was able to debut in the Round 3 win against Central District. She looked lively up forward and the Year 11 Scotch College student booted 1.2 from six touches and two marks in a promising display. The going was tougher a week later against the Eagles, but the talented teenager looms as a future leader having already represented South Australia at Under 16s level, and was vice-captain for the side there.

SUMMARY:

Glenelg might have only recorded the one win, but it was certainly one to celebrate with a returning star and a young debutant both having impacts. The season came to a halt before the Tigers could really get going and show what they are made of this year, but had a number of strong performers in an even team performance across the board.