A DOUBLE-HEADER at Hisense Stadium highlights a Super Saturday of action in the SANFL Women’s with all four games taking place in the space of eight hours. Two winning sides from Round 1 – West Adelaide and North Adelaide face-off – while Glenelg and Woodville-West Torrens meet in the second match of the double-header to try and grab their first points of the season.

FORM

These two sides come off differing results in Round 1 with Sturt having gone down to South Adelaide in a struggle at Noarlunga, while Central District came away with the four points thanks to a win over Woodville-West Torrens. When these teams faced off last year, it was the Bulldogs who upset the previously undefeated Sturt, to kick-start their strong finish to the second half of the SANFL Women’s season.

TEAMS

Sturt:

B: Maya Rigter (22), Lucy Earl (26)
HB: Kiera Mueller (33), Georgia Swan (3), Jemma Valente (36)
C: Elsie Dawes (5), Alisha Gepp (15), Molly Fletcher (31)
HF: Monique Besson (16), Alysha Healy (10), Georgia Bevan (7)
F: Tessa Doumanis (4), Millie McCarthy (1)
R: Alex Pearce (38), Kate Harris (23), Jaimee Wittervan (35)

INT: Lily Whitcombe (24), Zara Walsh (57), Abbey Rigter (11), Hannah Prenzler (20), Tahlia Walker (40), Isabella Drew (28), Ally Ladas (17)

Central District:

B: Laitiah Huynh (41), Shannon Murphy (10)
HB: Caitlen Teague (17), Demi Sonneman (20), Jessica Schulz (11)
C: Dakota Williams (38), Shelby Smith (1), Jovanka Zecevic (23)
HF: Jasmine Evans (27), Charlotte Riggs (9), Elaine Grigg (8)
F: Karissa Searle (22), Lauren Breguet (28)
R: Jessica Allan (35), Georgia Madigan (7), Sophie Eaton (12)

INT: Caitlin Wendland (42), Madison Lane (40), Georgia Avery (18), Chantel Reynolds (30), Katelyn Rosenzweig (2), Nicola Biagi (31), Aisha Thomas (16)

CHANGES

Sturt is yet to confirm any official outs, with Port Adelaide forward Tessa Doumanis, as well as Isabella Drew added to the extended team. The former is set to make her SANFL Women’s debut having previously played for Claremont in the WAFL Women’s.

Central District has made just the one change, with talented utility Madison Lane returning from injury, replacing the concussed Tess Gerhardy in the team.

KEY PLAYERS

The new inclusions of Elaine Grigg, Sophie Eaton and Jasmine Evans injected dash and competitiveness into the lineup, having a crack against bigger opponents. Ruck Jess Allan also dominated in her role back in Bulldogs colours, while captain Shelby Smith spoke of the importance of forwards Katelyn Rosenzweig and Chantel Reynolds to team structure.

The Double Blues showed enough to suggest they will be there again last week, with Kiera Mueller a player the Bulldogs might look to shut down given her run off half-back, while Alisha Gepp stepped up in the midfield. Key defender Lucy Earl will have a big job on one of the tall Central forwards, while Doumanis will add extra skill and evasion inside 50. The 2007-born debutant last week, Monique Bessen got better as the match went on and will be one to watch second up here.

DEVELOPMENT LEVEL WATCH

Sturt forward Georgia King is a top-age talent who coach Michael O’Connor rates and should feature at some stage in the League team, with key forward Amy Brooks-Birve in the Development team showing just how strong the depth is at the Double Blues.

The Bulldogs’ Development League squad lost by 49 points to the Eagles last round, but the likes of Shelby Raven and Aisha Thomas were named in the best.

PREDICTION

Back at home Sturt heads in as favourite despite the opposing results the week before. South Adelaide is a premiership contender, with the Eagles still developing their list. In saying that, the Bulldogs have proven on their day they can match it with anyone, and the additional pace and pressure will bring it up to the Double Blues. Do not be shocked if Central start 2-0 for the first time in women’s club history with a win, but the home ground advantage has Sturt ahead.

FORM

Both these sides picked up wins in Round 1, with North Adelaide beginning its premiership defence on the right note thanks to a hard-fought two-point win over Norwood. West Adelaide broke an 11-game losing streak with a victory over Glenelg and remain at Hisense Stadium to host the reigning premiers who the Bloods beat in Round 1 last year, their only win of the season.

TEAMS

West Adelaide:

B: Milli Gentle (3), Jess Chyer (38)
HB: Lucy Boyd (2), Madi Russell (1), Emma Kilpatrick (43)
C: Paige Allan (35), Illish Ross (60), Bec Hansen (10)
HF: Lauren Young (30), Tamika May (32), Ruby Ballard (51)
F: Steph Tredwell (42), Kelly Barltrop (15)
R: Tess Huxtable (49), Zoe Venning (9), Keeley Kustermann (8)

INT: Tabby Saville (18), Jess Macolino (13), Olivia Smith (22), Zoe Greer (4), Georgie Pater (26), Grace McNicol (21), Astrid Powell (16), Charlie Scutchings (12)

North Adelaide:

B: Jamie Parish (20), Kristi Harvey (5)
HB: Kristen Rothwell (15), Ella Quinn (14), Ella Metcalfe (40)
C: Jayde Visser (30), Brianna Arhtur (18), Katelyn Pope (13)
HF: Aprille Crooks (10), Sky Jensen (50), Jaimi Tabb (7)
F: Brittany Perry (19), Mattea Breed (3)
R: Isabelle Starmer (11), Jessica Edwards (2), Chelsea Farr (28)

INT: Sarah Steele-Park (36), Emma Chapman (8), Julia Clark (33), Laura Niejalke (60), Laela Ebert (9), Sarcha Taylor (52), Kalani Bates (16)

CHANGES

Both teams have made just the one confirmed change, with Bloods’ Paris Francis and Roosters’ Lauren Gauci both unavailable for tomorrow’s match.

Adelaide University’s Tabby Saville has been the name added to the extended West Adelaide bench after two goals in the Development League last week. The Roosters bring in potential debutant Kalani Bates who was rewarded for her Development League form, as well as tall Sarah Steele-Park to an extended interchange.

KEY PLAYERS

Co-captain Kristi Harvey started at full-forward then went back, showing how she is just as crucial at both ends. With the talent up forward for West Adelaide, expect her to potentially spent more in the latter, especially after the pairing of Mattea Breed and Sky Jensen combined for four goals. Aprille Crooks was lively in her SANFL Women’s debut, while Ella Quinn and Isabelle Starmer were also standouts.

West Adelaide forward Kelly Barltrop plays her 50th SANFL Women’s match in the game, and it is fitting coming against North Adelaide, the side she played with when she won the competition leading goalkicker. Iilish Ross has been named in the centre this week to add extra experience to the on-ball lineup, while young guns Lauren Young and Lucy Boyd are crucial bookends.

DEVELOPMENT LEVEL WATCH

Astrid Powell and Ella Maxwell were named as the best for the Bloods as they overcame Glenelg in Round 1. North Adelaide suffered a disappointing 41-point loss to Norwood, though the likes of youngsters Sasha Hardin and Sarcha Taylor both showed promising signs.

PREDICTION

West Adelaide is a much improved side in 2023, with more available players, and North Adelaide by comparison is less experienced, moving the needle a little closer to the middle for this match. In saying that, while the homeground advantage will help West, North is just too consistent to tip against, and should win by a few goals.

FORM

Both Woodville-West Torrens and Glenelg will be chasing their first win of the SANFL Women’s season after going down to Central District and West Adelaide respectively last week. The Eagles showed promising signs in the defeat at Elizabeth, while the Bays had a dominant third term, but could not capitalise on the scoreboard, only managing the one goal for the game.

TEAMS

WWT Eagles:

B: Beatrice Devlyn (6), Hannah Scholar (19)
HB: Leah Cutting (26), Bianca Portaro (3), Chloe Newton (49)
C: Annie Falkenberg (8), Chantelle Mitchell (5), Marlie Fiegert (30)
HF: Sophie Zuill (24), Nikita McRostie (25), Brianna Walling (13)
F: Jemma Charity (2), Shineah Goody (34)
R: Amie Blanden (12), Poppy Waterford (1), Cher Waters (20)

INT: Madison Turner (47), Klaudia O’Neill (18), Ashley Baker (44), Audrey Holt (10), Olivia Evans (28), Ella Little (22), Natasha Holmes (40)

Glenelg:

B: Poppy Scholz (20), Shay’Lee Dayman (4)
HB: Ellen Tymsinki (18), Serena Waters (32), Marie Martino (15)
C: Violet Patterson (6), Madisyn Freeman (2), Shae Partington (27)
HF: Matilda Wilmore (19), Chelsea Packer (26), Tessa Kohn (13)
F: Brooke Tonon (40), Piper Window (8)
R: Anja Bancevic (55), Ellie Kellock (5), Alice Bradley (21)

INT: Rani Grant (34), Caitlyn Swanson (9), Laura Chigwidden (24), Lucy Armitage (14), Renee Wurfel (3), Andi Moilere (16), Matilda Scholz (28)

CHANGES

The Eagles have brought in a massive five players as part of an extended bench, with bottom-age young gun Jemma Charity and South Australian representative last year, Cher Waters among those coming into the team. Youngster Klaudia O’Neill (three goals in Development League last week), Madison Turner and Natasha Holmes are the others added to an extended bench. The three forced changes include Tess Andrews and Mikayla Cavallaro (both injured) and Sophie Whitwell (unavailable).

Glenelg will bring back gun ruck Matilda Scholz who was touch and go from a hamstring injury for Round 1, with the talented tall touted as a potential PSP pick for Port Adelaide next week. Also returning is the experienced Chelsea Packer, as well as Lucy Armitage and Demi McCarthy. Co-captain Samantha Franson was injured in the opening moments of the first round last week and is out, as is fellow Round 1 casualty Alexandra Walker.

KEY PLAYERS

Charity returning to the side will added extra skill to the forward half of the ground, with the young guns in Shineah Goody and Chantelle Mitchell also skilful by hand or foot. Tall Leah Cutting was impressive in defence last week and will use her experience against the likes of Packer and Caitlyn Swanson who are crafty inside 50, while 2007-born Matilda Wilmore adds to the top talents of Brooke Tonon and Piper Window for Glenelg.

DEVELOPMENT LEVEL WATCH

The Eagles enjoyed a big win over Central District last week and the likes of Nicolette Dunn named among the best, while leadership group member and top-ager Chloe Charity returns via the second tier competition.

Glenelg’s Alana Baker and Jordan Horne were among the best during the Bays’ three-point loss to West Adelaide, while Jessica Hill was the sole multiple goalkicker with two majors.

PREDICTION

Looming as a crucial early game for both sides who have young lineups, the Eagles could breakthrough, with the tip going their way in a nail-biter. However the inclusions for the Bays certainly strengthen the visitors and on paper are far more experienced and would be capable of a confidence-boosting win.

FORM

Wrapping up the round for the second consecutive week is South Adelaide playing a twilight game at Noarlunga, this time hosting Norwood in a highly-anticipated clash. Both sides impressed in Round 1, and while South walked away with the four points from a victory over Sturt, Norwood lost no fans following a tough defeat by just two points to North Adelaide.

TEAMS

South Adelaide:

B: Jaslynne Smith (35), Tiffany Copley (14)
HB: Sam Pratt (22), Caitlin Ross (15), Lucy Northcott (12)
C: Charlotte Dolan (28), Brooke Boileau (37), Czenya Cavouras (11)
HF: Esther Schirmer (23), Lily Baxter (56), Senna Gulden (25)
F: Jorja Hooper (38), Elise Barwick (24)
R: Soriah Moon (32), Holly Ifould (2), Nicole Campbell (9)

INT: Bridgette Needs (13), Caitlin Couch (8), Gypsy Schirmer (36), Jess Kirk (7), Caitlin Radbone (34), Jodie Hunt (30), Nari Wright (3)

Norwood:

B: Ashlee Gould (16), Nicola Burns (23)
HB: Sarah Branford (9), Charlotte Nenke (44), Courtney Neale (30)
C: Georgie Jaques (61), Jade Halfpenny (62), Tesharna Maher (14)
HF: Meghan Gaffney (62), Stephanie Simmonds (17), Coby Morgan (51)
F: Rosette Zerella (32), Alana Lishmund (15)
R: Elle Lineage (50), Tahlita Buethke (2), Morgan Johnston (1)

INT: Lana Schwerdt (41), Georgina Birchall (37), Shai Hiscock (13), Najwa Allen (66), Emily Bartsch (27)

CHANGES

South Adelaide has rolled the dice with up to five potential changes, including Tasmanian Elise Barwick in after the one Development League match. Also coming in is Northern Territory talent Caitlin Couch, while other potential debutants include Bridgette Needs and Jodie Hunt. Caitlin Radbone is the fifth name to be included, while three outs are Round 1 debutants Kyanne Campbell and Bella Rigby, as well as Jemma Ellis.

Norwood will be minus skipper Alison Ferrall in Round 2 who has injured her quad, while tall youngster Rosie Boon drops back to Development Level to make way for a couple of the standouts from Round 1 in Elle Lineage and Charlotte Nenke.

KEY PLAYERS

Norwood’s boom AFLW recruit of Meghan Gaffney alongside Jade Halfpenny showed how dangerous the forward pairing could be, while Georgie Jaques was superb in the ruck. Competitiong leading goalkicker Alana Lishmund had a quieter Round 1 but stepped up with that crunch mark and goal late in the match, and will be better for the run.

For South Adelaide, Soriah Moon starred finally in Panthers colours returning from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, and will have another huge task up against Jaques. Brooke Boileau and Holly Ifould did their chances of making the final cut for the South Australian AFLW Under 18s squad no harm with standout performances in Round 1, while the consistency of Nicole Campbell and Jaslynne Smith settles the side.

DEVELOPMENT LEVEL WATCH

While Lineage and Nenke were rewarded for their impressive performances in the second tier last round, the likes of Amelia Rusden and Tamsyn Nation were among the best, while Grace Mulvahil kicked a couple of goals.

In South’s 15-point win over Sturt, a trio of Round 2 inclusions stepped up in the form of Radbone, Hunt and Barwick, while the others included Melanie Koster and top-age key defender Alissa Brook.

PREDICTION

At home South Adelaide is a tough team to beat and the Panthers will be the pick given the match is at Noarlunga. But if there was a power rankings for teams coming out of Round 1, Norwood could well have been second overall, really taking it up to North Adelaide in an impressive display. Two of the more impressive sides from Round 1, it is set to be a thriller.