FEW midfielders could make a move forward and win the competition leading goalkicker in their first season, but Norwood’s Alana Lishmund did just that. After plying her trade as a midfielder throughout her junior career – including representing South Australia – Lishmund went forward in the 2022 South Australian National Football League (SANFL) Women’s and slotted 18 goals in 11 games, more than any other player.

“It was quite different,” Lishmund said. “To what I was obviously used to, I’ve never been a forward. Definitely getting a structure set in and having supportive teammates around just allowed me to kick a bag, which was something different.”

After missing Round 1, Lishmund started the season modestly with a goal in each of her first three games, then her first brace against Sturt in Round 5. Her form picked up in Rounds 7-8 where she slotted 7.2 from an average of 15.5 disposals, 4.0 marks and 4.5 inside 50s against West Adelaide and Glenelg, putting her firmly in leading goalkicker contention. Lishmund would kick five goals over the next three weeks, before being held goalless for the first time in Round 12 against South Adelaide.

The Norwood forward became renowned for her goal celebrations, from individual dances to getting teammates involved because she admittedly “runs out of ideas”. One could hardly blame her as even she would have been surprised had she been told she would need 18 during the season. But which one was her favourite?

“Probably the one where I sweep my shoes probably just because I stole it from Cutters (Leah Cutting) accidentally,” Lishmund said. “I didn’t know that she used that celebration.”

Lishmund’s move from the midfield to attack was more about unlocking the mental side of her game than her physical attributes.

“I think just I usually like to take charge of where I am, so I think I was able to just uses that and really communicate with who was around me to get the best not only out of myself but also where they are, so then to teach them the skills to play their best position,” Lishmund said.

“Just the fact that I can own a spot on the ground and I can feel confident and safe where I am. That’s allowed me to get the best out of myself.”

Though the new role needs less running, Lishmund said she was hoping to improve that off-the-ball work in order to remain in considerations for AFL Women’s clubs.

“I think the way we played last year, it kind of kept the forwards out towards halfway so it didn’t allow us to get involved as much,” Lishmund said. “I think just really trying to work on where I am when I don’t have the ball.”

From a team perspective, Norwood missed out on finals for the first time in its history last season, but under some fresh faces headlined by new head coach Brad Snell, Lishmund is confident the Redlegs can get back into the top four.

“Yeah definitely,” she said. “I think we’ve got a really positive, strong group this year. I can’t see any dilemmas in not reaching that goal.”