JUST two rounds remain in the 2023 SANFL Women’s season, with two sides qualified for finals, and the remaining four battling for the last two spots. It shapes as a massive fortnight in South Australian football, with reigning premiers North Adelaide needing to win both matches, while Sturt has a tough challenge retaining its spot in the top four against ladder leaders South Adelaide this weekend.

FORM

Norwood comes into the Round 11 match off the back of six wins in its past seven games. Though the Redlegs dropped their Round 8 match to North Adelaide, the third placed side has bounced back over the last two weeks. A win here would guarantee Norwood finals, and a slice of history in becoming the first team to play finals after starting 0-3. For West Adelaide, a heartbreaking one-point loss to Sturt was the latest defeat in a season that has been wrecked by injuries, but a win would see the Bloods rise above the Eagles, providing the Eagles go down to Central District.

TEAMS

Norwood:

B: Ashlee Gould (16), Emily Bartsch (27)
HB: Sarah Branford (9), Alison Ferrall (19), Nicola Burns (23)
C: Tahlita Buethke (2), Georgina Birchall (37), Morgan Johnston (1)
HF: Amelia Rusden (10), Charlotte Nenke (44), Coby Morgan (51)
F: Rosette Zerella (32), Charli Hazelhurst (39)
R: Rosie Boon (45), Lana Schwerdt (41), Sophie Arkun (43)

INT: Molly Brooksby (18), Lauren Smith (24), Tesharna Maher (14), Stephanie Simmonds (17), Grace Whittaker (60), Millie Yardley (42), Emma Clark (7), Erika Sporn (26)

West Adelaide:

B: Millie Gentle (3), Jess Chyer (38)
HB: Tiana Fernandez (20), Georgie Pater (26), Grace McNicol (21)
C: Saraid Kustermann (6), Illish Ross (60), Olivia Smith (22)
HF: Ruby Ballard (51), Nicole Hooper (11), Lauren Young (30)
F: Steph Tredwell (42), Chloe Tonkin (64)
R: Tess Huxtable (49), Zoe Venning (9), Asha Dufour (46)

INT: Ella Maxwell (45), Allani Dawes (23), Molly Petersen (57), Charlie Scutchings (12), Paris Francis (24)

CHANGES

Norwood has only been forced to make one change thus far, with Shai Hiscock unavailable for the clash. Coming into an extended side are the likes of Steph Simmonds and Grace Whittaker who have been named on the bench.

West Adelaide has lost bottom-ager Emma Kilpatrick to suspension, Kendell Saffin to an ankle injury, and are managing Kelly Barltrop, but have a couple of quality inclusions among five named. Double bottom-age forward Steph Tredwell and AFLW experienced midfielder Iilish Ross, while defender Allani Dawes is set to make her long-awaited debut in the red and black since crossing from Sturt.

KEY PLAYERS

Norwood’s midfield has been in great form of late with Georgina Birchall and Lana Schwerdt impressing around the clearances and Tahlita Buethke providing run on the outside. Bottom-ager Coby Morgan is coming off her best game last week, while Molly Brooksby is building with each week. For West Adelaide, Zoe Venning has been as consistent as anyone in the competition, while Lauren Young and Chloe Tonkin provide marking targets inside 50.

PREDICTION

Norwood can lock up a finals spot with a win, and while the Bloods have been competitive throughout the season, the extra benefit on the line for the Redlegs should see them get up, especially with a top two spot still a possibility.

FORM

Sturt snapped its two-game losing streak with a vital one-point win over West Adelaide last week, but the reigning grand finalists will need to go to another level to topple South Adelaide in this clash.

The Double Blues have remained a little inconsistent in season 2023, and are now in threat of dropping outside the top four, especially with fifth and sixth facing off. South Adelaide can all but cement the minor premiership with a win, while a loss opens the door for not only Central District, but Norwood as well.

TEAMS

Sturt:

B: Lily Whitcombe (24), Lucy Earl (26)
HB: Jemma Valente (36), Sarah Wallace (37), Hannah Prenzler (20)
C: Georgia Swan (3), Georgia Bevan (7), Molly Fletcher (31)
HF: Zara Walsh (57), India Rahseed (6), Monique Bessen (16)
F: Tessa Doumanis (4), Millie McCarthy (1)
R: Alex Pearce (38), Kate Harris (23), Isobel Kuiper (18)

INT: Alysha Healy (10), Ally Ladas (17), Isabella Drew (28), Jaimee Wittervan (35), Elsie Dawes (5), Abbey Rigter (11), Claudia Edmonds (60), Amy Brooks-Birve (44)

South Adelaide:

B: Jaslynne Smith (35), Caitlin Radbone (34)
HB: Sam Pratt (22), Esther Schirmer (23), Tiffany Copley (14)
C: Elise Barwick (24), Brooke Boileau (37), Holly Ifould (2)
HF: Alissa Brook (53), Jorja Hooper (38), Lily Baxter (56)
F: Jordann Hickey (4), Lucy Northcott (12)
R: Soriah Moon (32), Caitlin Couch (8), Senna Gulden (25)

INT: Jacinda Schunselaar (47), Charlotte Dolan (28), Mel Anderson (52), Sarah Wright (5), Bella Rigby (1), Gypsy Schirmer (36), Lauren Clifton (41)

CHANGES

Sturt has brought back a couple of crucial players in India Rasheed and Isobel Kuiper who missed last round, while also adding a trio of players to an extended bench in Abbey Rigter, Claudia Edmonds and Amy Brooks-Birve. Coming out of the side is forward Tahlia Walker and Georgia King,

South Adelaide has lost Taylah Levy as she steps up to the Crows for the rest of the season, while also bringing in youth such as ruck Jacinda Schunselaar replacing skipper Brianna Cleggett. Schunselaar could make her SANFL Women’s debut alongside Alissa Brook who comes into the side as part of an extended bench with Senna Gulden and Lauren Clifton. Nari Wright is also out with Bella Rigby named as emergency.

KEY PLAYERS

Rasheed’s inclusion to the front half of the ground adds an extra dimension to a forwardline that includes Tessa Doumanis – who was uncharacteristically inaccurate last week – Zara Walsh, Monique Bessen and tall Millie McCarthy. South Adelaide’s defence is a reliable one though, headlined by Jaslynne Smith, while Esther Schirmer, Samantha Pratt, Tiffany Copley and Caitlin Radbone are difficult to score against.

PREDICTION

The match looms as a massive one, with the home ground advantage a huge boost for Sturt. Given what is on offer, the Double Blues arguably deserve to be slightly ahead but it is tough to overlook South with what the Panthers have done this season.

FORM

The match of the round with an enormous amount on the line. If Sturt wins against South Adelaide, then a loss to North Adelaide means curtains for the reigning premiers. The Roosters have not been at their best this season, but have undergone a stack of change not just at the start of the season, but midway through the year as well.

They always come good at the right time of the year, so it would be remiss to write them off, but everything has to go right. They take on the Bays who finally won last week against Central District after a four-game losing streak and their finals hopes are within their own control.

TEAMS

Glenelg:

B: Poppy Scholz (20), Marie Martino (15)
HB: Ellen Tyminski (18), Shay’Lee Dayman (4), Alice Bradley (21)
C: Lucy Armitage (14), Madisyn Freeman (2), Violet Patterson (6)
HF: Jordan Horne (51), Caitlyn Swanson (9), Chelsea Packer (26)
F: Piper Window (8), Alex Walker (35)
R: Anja Bancevic (55), Ellie Kellock (5), Tessa Kohn (13)

INT: Sam Franson (1), Anju Goninon (31), Matilda Wilmore (19), Eloise Mackereth (48), Tamsyn Morriss (12)

North Adelaide:

B: Jamie Parish (20), Kristi Harvey (5)
HB: Kristen Rothwell (15), Ella Quinn (14), Aprille Crooks (10)
C: Jayde Visser (30), Julia Clark (33), Erin Sundstrom (34)
HF: Lauren Hoffman (45), Sky Jensen (50), Brittany Perry (19)
F: Doreena Hansen (41), Cristie Castle (1)
R: Isabelle Starmer (11), Chelsea Farr (28), Jessica Edwards (2)

INT: Laela Ebert (9), Jordan Woodards (29), Teagan Cordes (42), Lauren Gauci (35), Sarah Steele-Park (36), Sarcha Taylor (52), Laura Niejalke (60)

CHANGES

Glenelg has only been forced to make one change with co-captain Samantha Franson returning for the first time since getting injured early in Round 1, with the utility replacing Sarah Goodwin who heads back to the AFLW Crows.

North Adelaide will be minus Kalani Bates, but have added three players, with potential debutant Teagan Cordes included with Laura Niejalke and Jordan Woodards.

KEY PLAYERS

Glenelg still has a number of key running players who can break the lines such as Violet Patterson and Madisyn Freeman, while the 2007-born trio of Matilda Wilmore, Jordan Horne and Eloise Mackereth have all contributed strongly. For North Adelaide, Jessica Edwards and Kristi Harvey have been catalysts in the Roosters’ revival, while Isabelle Starmer and Chelsea Farr are enjoying strong seasons.

PREDICTION

It is a vital must-win match for both sides, with the winner in the box seat for finals, while it makes it difficult for the loser. Glenelg has been the more consistent side this season, but aside from the important win over Central District, has not recaptured its best form. North Adelaide is poised for an upset.

FORM

Central District secured a finals spot heading into Round 10 which was good given the Bulldogs lost their AFLW players as well as skipper Shelby Smith, the latter for the rest of the regular season. Despite that, they fell five points short of taking down a strong Glenelg outfit and have a great record against the Eagles.

A win would put the Bulldogs much closer to a top two spot with just West Adelaide to come, while a loss could mean they slip to third on the table. The Eagles season is done and dusted from a finals perspective, but they will likely avoid the wooden spoon with a win.

TEAMS

WWT Eagles:

B: Audrey Holt (10), Renee Forth (27)
HB: Grace Martin (7), Channy Mitchell (5), Amie Blanden (12)
C: Brianna Walling (13), Isabella Benedictson (37), Sophie Whitwell (42)
HF: Beatrice Devlyn (6), Annie Falkenberg (8), Hannah Scholar (19)
F: Marlie Fiegert (30), Bianca Portaro (3)
R: Shineah Goody (34), Jemma Charity (2), Brooklyn Kraft (33)

INT: Ashley Baker (44), Tess Andrews (29), Sophie Zuill (24), Zahlia Niemann (38), Poppy Waterford (1), Cher Waters (20), Olivia Evans (28), Christina Leuzzi (46), Kayleigh May (48)

Central District:

B: Laitiah Huynh (41), Charlotte Riggs (9)
HB: Caitlen Teague (17), Tiarna Groverman (45), Karissa Searle (22)
C: Dakota Williams (38), Madison Lane (40), Sophie Eaton (12)
HF: Jovanka Zecevic (23), Georgia Avery (18), Elaine Grigg (8)
F: Shannon Murphy (10), Lauren Breguet (28)
R: Katelyn Rosenzweig (2), Jasmine Evans (27), Georgia Madigan (7)

INT: Caitlin Wendland (42), Demi Sonneman (20), Aisha Thomas (16), Jessica Schulz (11), Tess Gerhardy (33), Chantel Reynolds (30)

CHANGES

Woodville-West Torrens will be without ruck Leah Cutting for the match as she heads to the Bombers for AFLW training, but the Eagles do regain the services of Renee Forth in the only confirmed swap to-date.

Central District has also only made one change, with noted goalkicker Chantel Reynolds returning to the side for the injured Shelby Raven.

KEY PLAYERS

The Eagles will look to the class of youngsters, Shineah Goody, Jemma Charity and Grace Martin, while ruck Brooklyn Kraft has a huge job stepping up into Cutting’s shoes. For the Bulldogs, Laitiah Huynh and Elaine Grigg are coming off good games last round, while Charlotte Riggs showed potential to be thrown forward or through the ruck if need be.

PREDICTION

Central District should still get the win despite still missing Smith, with the Bulldogs coming close to a pretty strong Glenelg side. Woodville-West Torrens will be keen to avoid the wooden spoon, but a top two spot is calling for the Dogs if they can beat the bottom two sides.