ONLY four teams will remain in the SANFL Women’s premiership race after tomorrow with the last round of action taking place. Round 12 sees all four games kick off at 12:30pm across four different grounds in a deadline day style of action. Three of the teams are already locked into finals – though second spot is still up for grabs – while fourth and fifth battle it out for the last spot in the post-season series.

FORM

Had Sturt rolled South Adelaide last weekend it would have meant all four finals spots were up for grabs, but instead, the one-point loss resulted in the Double Blues slipping outside the four in favour of their Round 12 opponents, Glenelg. The Bays held on against reigning premiers North Adelaide to ensure the Roosters did not get a crack at a second straight flag, and now the assignment is simple. Sturt has the higher percentage of the two teams, so the winner of this game secures fourth.

Glenelg win = Glenelg 4th / Sturt 5th
Sturt win = Sturt 4th / Glenelg 5th

TEAMS

Sturt:

B: Lily Whitcombe (24), Lucy Earl (26)
HB: Jemma Valente (36), Isabella Drew (28), Hannah Prenzler (20)
C: Georgia Swan (3), India Rasheed (6), Molly Fletcher (31)
HF: Monique Bessen (16), Alysha Healy (10), Georgia Bevan (7)
F: Zara Walsh (57), Millie McCarthy (1)
R: Alex Pearce (38), Kate Harris (23), Isobel Kuiper (18)

INT: Tessa Doumanis (4), Ally Ladas (17), Claudia Edmonds (60), Jaimee Wittervan (35), Elsie Dawes (5), Abbey Rigter (11), Tahlia Walker (40), Amy Brooks-Birve (44)

Glenelg:

B: Tamsyn Morriss (12), Demi McCarthy (33)
HB: Ellen Tyminski (18), Poppy Scholz (20), Marie Martino (15)
C: Violet Patterson (6), Madisyn Freeman (2), Eloise Mackereth (48)
HF: Matilda Wilmore (19), Lucy Armitage (14), Chelsea Packer (26)
F: Tessa Kohn (13), Shay’Lee Dayman (4)
R: Anja Bancevic (55), Ellie Kellock (5), Alex Walker (35)

INT: Piper Window (8), Caitlyn Swanson (9), Sam Franson (1), Renee Wurfel (3), Alice Bradley (21)

CHANGES

Sturt will be minus Sarah Wallace who misses due to an ankle injury, with Elsie Dawes returning to the side in the sole change for the Double Blues. Glenelg also just has the minimal changes with Demi McCarthy and Renee Wurfel replacing Jordan Horne and Anju Goninon.

KEY PLAYERS

It will be a big day for Georgia Bevan, as the former Double Blues skipper and AFLW-experienced talent plays her 50th game for the club. She will be among the key players such as Isobel Kuiper and current captain Kate Harris. Young guns India Rasheed and Monique Bessen are dangerous in the forward half, while Alysha Healy is in career-best form.

For Glenelg, Piper Window, Ellie Kellock and Madisyn Freeman form a strong midfield, while Eloise Mackereth is coming off a super game, and defender Tamsyn Morriss keeps getting it done in defence.

PREDICTION

The last time these teams played was back in Round 3 with Glenelg getting up by 29 points, doubling Sturt’s score. Expect it to be far closer this time, with the Double Blues’ performance last week very impressive in a loss and could be the marginal favourites, but Glenelg has a lot of weapons both through the midfield and up forward too.

FORM

Norwood comes into the game after a scare against West Adelaide before putting the game to bed in the final quarter to win by 16 points. The Redlegs were able to lock up a finals spot with the victory, and put themselves in with a chance for top two. South Adelaide needed to win to guarantee itself a double chance and it did just that, defeating Sturt by a point, after beating Glenelg by 13 the week before.

Norwood win & Central District lose = Norwood 2nd / South Adelaide 1st
Norwood win & Central District win = Norwood 3rd / South Adelaide 2nd
South Adelaide win = Norwood 3rd / South Adelaide 1st

TEAMS

Norwood:

B: Alison Ferrall (19), Emily Bartsch (27)
HB: Adrienne Davies (8), Charlotte Nenke (44), Molly Brooksby (18)
C: Kiana Lee (28), Tahlita Buethke (2), Morgan Johnston (1)
HF: Coby Morgan (51), Ameila Rusden (10), Charli Hazelhurst (39)
F: Rosette Zerella (32), Alana Lishmund (15)
R: Rosie Boon (46), Lana Schwerdt (41), Tesharna Maher (14)

INT: Grace Whittaker (60), Stephanie Simmonds (17), Georgina Birchall (37), Nicola Burns (23), Lauren Smith (24), Millie Yardley (42), Emma Clark (7), Jazmine Egan (58)

South Adelaide:

B: Jaslynne Smith (35), Caitlin Radbone (34)
HB: Sam Pratt (22), Esther Schirmer (23), Tiffany Copley (14)
C: Elise Barwick (24), Mel Anderson (52), Holly Ifould (2)
HF: Alissa Brook (58), 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), Gypsy Schirmer (36), Sarah Wright (5), Lauren Clifton (41), Bri Cleggett (27), Nari Wright (3)

CHANGES

Norwood sharpshooter Alana Lishmund returns just in time for finals after a long injury layoff, joining an extended bench which includes Adrienne Davies, Millie Yardley, Emma Clark and Jazmine Egan. Unfortunately, the Redlegs defence has taken a hit with both Ashlee Gould (unavailable) and Sarah Branford (injured) both missing. South Adelaide will lose the injured Brooke Boileau to a foot injury this weekend, with Sarah Wright replacing her in the side.

KEY PLAYERS

Lismund can be a gamechanger if she can catch back up to the speed of the game quick enough, with the midfield of Tahlita Buethke, Lana Schwerdt and Tesharna Maher also in good form. Molly Brooksby has been getting better and better in her return from injury, while skipper Alison Ferrall has been thrown forward at times to mix it up.

For the Panthers, Melissa Anderson might get her chance in her natural on-ball position in the absence of Boileau, while Caitlin Couch and Senna Gulden provided a consistent hard midfield approach. The forward trio of Jorja Hooper, Jordann Hickey and Lucy Northcott stretches opposition defences.

PREDICTION

A thrilling clash and one not to be missed with a high stakes clash in terms of top three chances. If Norwood loses, then the top three is set in stone, but a victory, and the Redlegs fans will be simultaneously keeping one eye on the Bulldogs-Bloods game. South should be too strong, but Norwood is capable to causing an upset.

FORM

It will be a massive day for North Adelaide, with the reigning premiers farewelling dual premiership coach Krissie Steen following her announcement she would step down at the end of the season. After falling short of finals and defending their title, the Roosters will be out to finish off on a high with a win over the bottom two Eagles. Woodville-West Torrens will be keen not to slip before West Adelaide and avoid the wooden spoon.

North Adelaide win = North Adelaide 5th or 6th (if Sturt win) / Woodville-West Torrens 7th or 8th (percentage)
Woodville-West Torrens win = 7th or 8th (if West Adelaide wins by more)

TEAMS

North Adelaide:

B: Jamie Parish (22), Kristi Harvey (5)
HB: Kalani Bates (16), Ella Quinn (14), Aprille Crooks (10)
C: Jayde Visser (31), Julia Clark (33), Erin Sundstrom (34)
HF: Lauren Hoffmann (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), Kristin Rothwell (15), Lauren Gauci (35), Sarah Steele-Park (36), Sarcha Taylor (52), Ella Metcalfe (40)

Woodville-West Torrens:

B: Christina Leuzzi (46), Kayleigh May (48)
HB: Grace Martin (7), Channy Mitchell (5), Amie Blanden (12)
C: Cher Waters (20), 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), Klaudia O’Neill (18), Olivia Evans (28)

CHANGES

North Adelaide will make just the one change for its final game of the season, with a trio of players in Ella Metcalfe, Kalani Bates and Jordan Woodards, while Teagan Cordes is the sole out. The Eagles will be without Audrey Holt and Brianna Walling, but have added Cher Waters, Christina Leuzzi, Klaudia O’Neill and Olivia Evans to the side.

KEY PLAYERS

North Adelaide co-captains Jessica Edwards and Kristi Harvey have been the standouts the last few weeks, with the former among the chances for the league best and fairest. Julia Clark and Brittany Perry are others who can turn games, while Isabelle Starmer has enjoyed another consistent season in the ruck. For the Eagles, Shineah Goody and Jemma Charity will be looking to finish their seasons off on a high, while Brooklyn Kraft has been strong in the ruck of late.

PREDICTION

Given coach Krissie Steen’s send-off in the match, expect the Roosters to go to another level and win this match. They stormed home with a dominant second half against the Eagles earlier in the season, and though they have missed out on finals, still have a strong side that looks a tough too experienced for the young Eagles. A win for the Eagles would mark their most successful season on record though, so there is a little carrot dangling for the team.

FORM

Central District secured its finals spot a couple of weeks ago and kept alive its double chance with a win over Eagles last weekend. If the Bulldogs can knock off the Bloods in this game, then Central District will be guaranteed second. Depending on the result of the Norwood-South Adelaide game, the Dogs can also grab the minor premiership if the Redlegs get up, however, lose this game with a Norwood win, and Central District would drop down to third spot.

Central District win & South Adelaide lose = Central District 1st
Central District win & South Adelaide win = Central District 2nd
Central District lose & South Adelaide lose = Central District 3rd
Central District lose & South Adelaide win = Central District 2nd

*In all scenarios, West Adelaide will finish either seventh or eighth depending on the percentage with Eagles.

TEAMS

Central District:

B: Laitiah Huynh (41), Karissa Searle (22)
HB: Caitlen Teague (17), Charlotte Riggs (9), Karissa Searle (22)
C: Dakota Williams (38), Madison Lane (40), Sophie Eaton (12)
HF: Jovanka Zecevic (23), Elaine Grigg (8), Lauren Breguet (28)
F: Shannon Murphy (10), Georgia Avery (18)
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)

West Adelaide:

B: Emma Kilpatrick (43), Jess Chyer (38)
HB: Tiana Fernandez (20), Georgie Pater (26), Grace McNicol (21)
C: Milli Gentle (3), 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), Saraid Kustermann (6), Paris Francis (24)

CHANGES

Central District will recall tall defender Charlotte Riggs after being a late withdrawal last week, while the player she replaces is yet to be confirmed. West Adelaide will be minus Charlie Scutchings who is unavailable for the match, with defender Emma Kilpatrick coming into the team.

KEY PLAYERS

Central District will look for its midfield to fire again, with Elaine Grigg, Laitiah Huynh and Caitlin Wendland all finding the ball well and Jovanka Zecevic her consistent self at the clinches. Defender Madison Lane and forward Katelyn Rosenzweig have also been in great form, with Jasmine Evans coming off a three-goal game last week.

West Adelaide will enjoy the return of Kilpatrick into the defence, with Georgie Pater and Milli Gentle holding up the defence well. Iilish Ross remains a player to contain in midfield, with Lauren Young and Zoe Venning dangerous as always, the latter kicking two goals last week.

PREDICTION

Central District knows what is on the line for this game, with a win guaranteeing a top-two spot, and perhaps even the minor premiership and a crucial home final against South Adelaide. A loss and the Bulldogs fans will be glancing across at the Panthers-Redlegs clash for that result to see their finals fate. West Adelaide can avoid the wooden spoon with a win, which is certainly something for a talented, but injury-ravaged team.