IN a new Sunday night feature on Rookie Me Central, we give an update on how each of the active football leagues across the country, with the scores, top performers and what to look forward to this week.

SANFLW:

Norwood 7.8 (50) defeated by North Adelaide 7.10 (52)
West Adelaide 3.5 (23) defeated Glenelg 1.3 (9)
Central District 4.6 (30) defeated WWT Eagles 2.5 (17)
South Adelaide 3.5 (23) defeated Sturt 1.9 (15)

The SANFLW kicked off in style with a Friday night thriller seeing reigning premiers North Adelaide hold on against a fast-finishing Norwood by just two points under lights at The Parade. Co-captain Kristi Harvey and new recruit Isabelle Starmer impressed, as they did enough to take down the Redlegs despite the best efforts of midfielders Tesharna Maher and Lana Schwerdt.

On Saturday, a triple-header took place across three different venues, with West Adelaide breaking an 11-game losing streak carried on from last season to knock off preliminary finalists Glenelg in a low-scoring 14-point win. Returning from an ACL injury, Lauren Young slotted 1.3, as fellow Academy member Lucy Boyd starred out of defence. Piper Window and captain Ellie Kellock were among the best for the Bays.

At Elizabeth, Central District finally won a Round 1 match thanks to a 13-point victory over Woodville-West Torrens Eagles. Another player returning from injury, Katelyn Rosenzweig slotted two goals to be a key up forward, while new recruit Elaine Grigg impressed alongside Bulldogs captain Shelby Smith. Eagles’ Leah Cutting filled out her role playing more in defence transitioning from a ruck, while young gun Shineah Goody found plenty of the ball.

In the Saturday evening game, Sturt kicked away in the second half to win 3.5 (23) to 1.9 (15) in a low-scoring epic struggle. Top-age talent Brooke Boileau and fellow Academy member Holly Ifould were brilliant, while Alisha Gepp and Adelaide Crows listed defender Kiera Mueller combined for 48 disposals in Double Blues colours.

Boileau will be the subject of our SANFL Women’s Player Focus for the week after 21 disposals, two marks, eight tackles, four clearances and seven inside 50s in the win over Sturt. Along with the Player Focus, there will also be the regular Round 1 wraps, Academy notes, Overage Draft watch and a Development League wrap.

NTFLW:

Tiwi Bombers 3.7 (25) defeated by Nightcliff 12.10 (82)
Darwin Buffettes 18.12 (120) defeated Southern Districts 1.0 (6)
Wanderers 5.1 (31) defeated by St Mary’s 17.9 (111)
Palmerston Magpies 0.0 (0) defeated by Waratah 25.19 (169)

Minor premiers PINT had the bye in the final round of the NTFL Women’s season after sitting on top comfortably with a 15-1 record and 664 percentage points. St Mary’s locked up second spot thanks to a comfortable victory over Wanderers, while Waratah’s 169-point demolition of Palmerston Magpies ensured the ‘Tahs maintained third with percentage of Darwin Buffettes. The Buffs’ recorded a 114-point smashing of Southern Districts themselves, while Nightcliff’s 57-point win over Tiwi Bombers further emphasised their fifth spot on the ladder.

NTFLM:

Tiwi Bombers 4.7 (31) defeated by Nightcliff 13.18 (96)
Darwin Buffaloes 8.4 (52) defeated by Southern Districts 16.8 (104)
Wanderers 3.5 (23) defeated by St Mary’s 19.11 (125)
Palmerston Magpies 3.4 (22) defeated by Waratah 13.18 (96)

The top five finalists were set in stone last round, and this week the top four sides all won to sit comfortably ahead of the rest of the pack. While fifth placed Darwin reached the post-season series thanks to victory in Round 17, the Buffaloes went down Southern Districts by 52 points as the minor premiers head into the finals series in some red-hot form. Meanwhile second placed Waratah knocked off Palmerston Magpies by 74 points, third placed St Mary’s belted Wanderers to the tune of 102 points, and fourth placed Nightcliff had no problems against wooden spooners Tiwi Bombers, winning by 65 points.