CENTRAL District just keeps finding a way to win, and for the second time this season, came back from a large deficit against reigning premiers North Adelaide, this time to win by a solitary point. After trailing by as much as 19 points with 15 minutes on the clock, the Bulldogs dug deep and kicked the last three goals of the game to win, 6.6 (42) to 6.5 (41).

In Round 6 of the SANFL Women’s season, the Bulldogs trailed the Roosters 29-0 early in the second term before going on to win. Fast forward to Round 9, and the Bulldogs went down by 19 points early in the fourth quarter after a Katelyn Pope goal having trailed since early in the second term.

But once again the Bulldogs found a way, with Katelyn Rosenzweig coming up big when it counted booting two last quarter goals, and then Caitlin Wendland putting her side in front in the 15th minute. From there, the Bulldogs were able to stop the Roosters scoring and secured the victory.

North Adelaide kicked the first of the game via Hannah Ewings, who was playing her last game in Roosters colours. Central District responded through 50th gamer Jovanka Zecevic and Wendland to hit the front by five points at quarter time.

The second term belonged to the Roosters as Brittany Perry kicked back-to-back goals in the space of two minutes, and then Lauren Hoffman added another before the main break. The lead was out to two straight kicks, and the experience of Cristie Castle made it three in the opening few minutes of the third term. Rosenzweig responded for the Dogs midway through the term, but they still trailed by 13 points at the final break.

North Adelaide had brought the pressure all game and its defence stood up well, but the Dogs were winning it out of the midfield consistently, and overwhelming the Roosters with inside 50 numbers, particularly in the third term. But that would change in the last quarter.

Though Pope would again star for the Roosters and kick that goal in the opening minute of the final term to make it a 19-point lead with a ripping one-two running goal. The Dogs hit hard as Rosenzweig booted 2.1 in the space of three minutes to cut the deficit back to six points. At the 10 and a half minute mark of the quarter, some loose checking allowed Zecevic to have a set shot from 15m but it cannoned into the post.

North struggled to get outside of its defensive 50, with a number of turnovers at half-back. The pressure was immense and eventually it paid off with Wendland laying a massive tackle running back to goal and slotting the winner with five minutes to play snapping off her left. It would prove enough as Central District held the ball up between the arcs for the majority of the last five minutes to celebrate a one-point win.

Inside midfielders Maria Moloney and Shelby Smith combined for 36 disposals and 12 clearances, with the former also having seven inside 50s. In her 50th game, Zecevic had the 17 touches, four marks, four tackles, two clearances, three inside 50s and a goal, while Rosenzweig and Wendland combined for five of their side’s six goals. Laitiah Huynh and Madison Lane also impressed alongside the tall timber duo of Olivia Levicki and Georgia Avery who worked hard through the ruck.

For the Roosters, co-captain Kristi Harvey had 17 disposals, five marks, six tackles and nine rebound 50s in a standout performance, while Pope (16 disposals, three marks, four tackles, three inside 50s and three rebound 50s) and Ewings (15 disposals, four marks – two contested – six tackles, four clearances, three inside 50s and 1.3) were also influential. In defence, Amelie Borg, Lauren Gauci and Erin Sundstrom also provided some rebound.

CENTRAL DISTRICT 2.1 | 2.4 | 3.4 | 6.6 (42)
NORTH ADELAIDE 1.2 | 4.4 | 5.5 | 6.5 (41)

GOALS:
Central District: K. Rosenzweig 3, C. Wendland 2, J. Zecevic
North Adelaide: B. Perry 2, H. Ewings, C. Castle, L. Hoffman, K. Pope

RMC BEST:
Central District: M. Moloney, S. Smith, C. Wendland, K. Rosenzweig, J. Zecevic
North Adelaide: K. Harvey, K. Pope, H. Ewings, A. Borg, B. Perry

AROUND THE GROUNDS

Norwood bounced back from its first loss in five games with a comprehensive 36-point victory over Sturt. In an aesthetically pleasing scoreline, the Redlegs won 51-15, booting six goals to one after quarter time to register the 7.9 to 2.3 scoreline.

Sachi Syme and Ebony O’Dea combined for 41 disposals, 15 clearances and eight inside 50s in the wing, while Lana Schwerdt and Sarah Branford were also lively. Sturt onballer Isobel Kuiper had another massive day with 26 disposals, seven marks, 11 tackles, four clearances, two inside 50s and five rebound 50s, while defender Alex Ballard had 25 touches, six marks and seven rebound 50s in the loss.

South Adelaide proved too strong for Glenelg, kicking the only goal of the last quarter to win by 13 points at the Bay. The home side booted the first two goals of the game to take a handy quarter time lead, but fell behind over the next two quarters in a tight contest. Lucy Northcott‘s sole major helped seal the win, 5.9 (39 to 4.2 (26).

Jordann Hickey slammed home four gaols from 15 disposals, five marks and five inside 50s in a day out, while Caitlin Couch and Cheyenne Hammond combined for 44 disposals and 15 clearances. Glenelg skipper Ellie Kellock again tried hard with 21 disposals, eight clearances and nine tackles, while Madisyn Freeman and Tamsyn Morriss continued their terrific form.

In the other match, Woodville-West Torrens and West Adelaide played out a draw in the battle of the bottom two sides, thanks to two goals to the latter in the final quarter. The Eagles looked to be set to lock in their third win of the season, but majors to Port Adelaide duo Gemma Houghton and Lily Johnson in the last stanza to draw level and split the points with 3.3 (21) apiece.

Zoe Venning picked up 33 disposals, six tackles and four clearances to continue her outstanding form this season, while bottom-ager Asha Dufour stepped up in the absence of her State Academy teammates to rack up 26 disposals, five marks, six tackles and five clearances, while Iilish Ross racked up 10 clearances and five rebound 50s to go with 22 disposals and eight tackles. For the Eagles, Leah Cutting (23 disposals, six marks – two contested – seven tackles, 26 hitouts, four clearances, three inside 50s and three rebound 50s) and Marlie Fiegert (17 disposals, 16 tackles and six clearances) were standouts.