IN the most even SANFL Women’s Team of the Week yet, six of the eight sides recorded three representatives in Round 9. While impressive winners and ladder leaders South Adelaide had four, and Woodville-West Torrens – who drew with West Adelaide – had two, the remaining teams had three players apiece in the 24-player squad.

South Adelaide forward Jordann Hickey is this week’s captain after 15 disposals, five marks – three contested – five inside 50s, four tackles and four goals. Her deputy is fellow key position player, and North Adelaide co-captain Kristi Harvey down at full-back, after a vintage 17-disposal, five-mark and nine-rebound 50 performance.

South Adelaide also covered the flanks with Cheyenne Hammond and Caitlin Couch named at half-back and half-forward respectively. Midfielder Senna Gulden was named on the bench, while ruck Soriah Moon is one of the three emergencies for Round 9.

North Adelaide duo Hannah Ewings and Katelyn Pope also made the side, with the former booting 1.3 from 15 disposals, while the latter provided plenty of run and carry on the wing. On the opposite wing is bottom-ager Asha Dufour who had a day out of 26 disposals, five marks, six tackles, five clearances, two inside 50s and three rebound 50s in the wake of missing out on the first State Academy game.

Dufour was named in the team alongside a pair of consistent onballers in Iilish Ross and Zoe Venning who combined for 55 disposals and 14 clearances between them. The last starting midfielder was Norwood’s Ebony O’Dea named in the centre, while her Redlegs teammates, Sarah Branford (half-back) and Sachi Syme (interchange) also slotted into the 24-player side.

Central District skipper Shelby Smith made the team for yet another week, while midfielder/forward Caitlin Wendland and key forward Katelyn Rosenzweig combined for five goals in the on-point win over North Adelaide. Inside midfielder Maria Moloney was named as second emergency alongside South Adelaide ruck, Soriah Moon.

Sturt had two of its three representatives in the defensive half with centre half-back Alex Ballard and back pocket Jemma Valente qualifying for the team. Isobel Kuiper made it onto a midfield-heavy bench after an impressive game through midfield for the Double Blues.

Completing the back six is Glenelg defender Tamsyn Morriss, who was named in the side with her captain Ellie Kellock and consistent midfielder Madisyn Freeman. Meanwhile for the Eagles, ruck Leah Cutting starts in that role, with Sophie Zuill named on the bench.

2023 SANFLW TEAM OF THE WEEK: ROUND 9

B: Tamsyn Morriss (Glenelg) – Kristi Harvey (North Adelaide) (vc) – Jemma Valente (Sturt)
HB: Cheyenne Hammond (South Adelaide) – Alex Ballard (Sturt) – Sarah Branford (Norwood)
C: Katelyn Pope (North Adelaide) – Ebony O’Dea (Norwood) – Asha Dufour (West Adelaide)
HF: Ellie Kellock (Glenelg) – Jordann Hickey (South Adelaide) (c) – Caitlin Couch (South Adelaide)
F: Hannah Ewings (North Adelaide) – Katelyn Rosenzweig (Central District) – Caitlin Wendland (Central District)
R: Leah Cutting (WWT Eagles) – Iilish Ross (West Adelaide) – Zoe Venning (West Adelaide)
INT: Madisyn Freeman (Glenelg) – Senna Gulden (South Adelaide) – Isobel Kuiper (Sturt) – Shelby Smith (Central District) – Sachi Syme (Norwood) – Sophie Zuill (WWT Eagles)

EMG: Jessica Chyer (West Adelaide) – Maria Moloney (Central District) – Soriah Moon (South Adelaide)