2023 SANFLW Team of the Week: Round 2

FRESH off its first win of the SANFL Women’s season, Glenelg has shared the honours of most Rookie Me Central Team of the Week nominations with unbeaten sides, South Adelaide and West Adelaide.

All three clubs had four representatives for Round 2, with fellow winner Sturt having three, the same as Round 2 loser, North Adelaide. In an even spread across the eight teams, Central District and Norwood had two apiece.

A couple of top-end AFLW Draft prospects lead the hypothetical team this week with Glenelg onballer/forward Piper Window and West Adelaide tall Lauren Young named captain and vice-captain respectively.

Window amassed 23 disposals, two marks, four tackles, 10 clearances, 10 inside 50s and kicked a behind in the Bays’ win over the Eagles, while Young booted 2.3 from 22 disposals, four marks – one contested – eight tackles, four inside 50s and 2.3.

Window was the beneficiary of silver service ruckwork from State Academy teammate Matilda Scholz, who returned to the SANFLW off a hamstring injury to collect 14 disposals, two marks, two tackles, 15 hitouts and three inside 50s.

Another returning talent in experienced forward Chelsea Packer slotted two goals from eight disposals, three marks – one contested – three tackles and two inside 50s in the win, while captain Ellie Kellock made it onto the bench after 19 disposals, one mark, seven tackles, seven clearances and two inside 50s.

West Adelaide’s other trio of representatives starts in defence, with State Academy duo, Emma Kilpatrick and Lucy Boyd both impressing for the Bloods. Kilpatrick picked up 13 disposals, two marks, four tackles and five rebound 50s, while Boyd worked her way to 14 disposals, two marks and 11 rebound 50s taking the kickout duties. The other West Adelaide player in the team was Iilish Ross who finished with 13 disposals, two marks, three tackles, four clearances and one goal.

South Adelaide was the other club with four representatives in the Team of the Week, with a couple of midfielders starting in the team this round. Czenya Cavouras was named in the centre after 22 disposals, eight tackles, two clearances and four inside 50s, while Caitlin Couch had 16 disposals, four marks, four tackles, four clearances and four inside 50s.

Also in the side is 2007-born Lily Baxter, after her two goals from four touches helped the Panthers get home, while Senna Gulden picked up 16 disposals, two marks, 15 tackles, five clearances and three inside 50s.

The other 2007-born youngster to earn selection is the Breakthrough Player of the Week, Sturt’s Monique Bessen, who was named at half-forward following 17 disposals, three marks, three tackles and three clearances.

Also inside 50 is her more experienced Double Blues teammate Georgia Bevan who finished with 10 disposals, three marks, 10 tackles, two clearances and one goal. The other Sturt player in the Team of the Week was Kate Harris (14 disposals, four tackles, seven clearances and two rebound 50s) who marginally got the nod ahead of Alisha Gepp (emergency) due to her dual role that included keeping tabs on Central District skipper Shelby Smith.

North Adelaide was the sole losing team to pick up three representatives for Round 2, and yet again co-captain Kristi Harvey was stationed in defence at full-back. Though she played at both ends, her best work was on the last line, finishing with 16 disposals, three marks (one contested), four tackles, four clearances, two inside 50s and seven rebound 50s. North midfielders Katelyn Pope and Julia Clark also made the side with 22 and 16 disposals respectively, providing plenty of drive between midfield and attack.

From the teams with two representatives, Norwood had young defender Sarah Branford named at half-back for her 25 disposals, three tackles and three rebound 50s, while on the bench was last quarter specialist Najwa Allen who booted two goals to almost get her team over the line. Ex-Panther Tahlita Buethke was also impressive against South Adelaide, and the Redlegs midfielder was named as an emergency.

Woodville-West Torrens duo Shineah Goody and captain Annie Falkenberg are the Eagles’ representatives in the Team of the Week. Goody was superb on her way to 19 disposals, five marks, six tackles, four clearances, three inside 50s and two rebound 50s.

Falkenberg was steady in defence, finishing with 13 disposals, three marks (one contested), four tackles and four rebound 50s. Completing the emergency lineup was Eagles midfielder Sophie Zuill.

Central District also have two representatives in the side, with key defender Charlotte Riggs taking seven marks – two contested – as well as collecting 17 disposals, laying three tackles and having three rebound 50s to be named at centre half-back. She is joined in the team by midfielder Caitlin Wendland who had 19 disposals, nine clearances, nine tackles in two inside 50s in the loss to Sturt.

SANFLW TEAM OF THE WEEK: ROUND 2

B: Emma Kilpatrick (West Adelaide) – Kristi Harvey (North Adelaide) – Annie Falkenberg (WWT Eagles)
HB: Sarah Branford (Norwood) – Charlotte Riggs (Central District) – Lucy Boyd (West Adelaide)
C: Katelyn Pope (North Adelaide) – Czenya Cavouras (South Adelaide) – Caitlin Couch (South Adelaide)
HF: Monique Bessen (Sturt) – Lauren Young (West Adelaide) (vc) – Piper Window (Glenelg) (c)
F: Georgia Bevan (Sturt) – Chelsea Packer (Glenelg) – Lily Baxter (South Adelaide)
R: Matilda Scholz (Glenelg) – Shineah Goody (WWT Eagles) – Caitlin Wendland (Central District)
INT: Najwa Allen (Norwood) – Julia Clark (North Adelaide) – Senna Gulden (South Adelaide) – Kate Harris (Sturt) – Ellie Kellock (Glenelg) – Iilish Ross (West Adelaide)

EMG: Tahlita Buethke (Norwood) – Alisha Gepp (Sturt) – Sophie Zuill (WWT Eagles)

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