THE only two unbeaten SANFL Women’s sides face off tomorrow in a massive top-of-the-table clash between West Adelaide and Glenelg to kick off Round 4 of the competition. That contest is one of three, with the winless North Adelaide taking on Norwood, while South Adelaide and Woodville-West Torrens both got on the board last week and will be hoping to build back-to-back wins.

FORM

In a mouth-watering clash, ladder leaders Glenelg and second placed West Adelaide both come into the Round 4 contest unbeaten, which means it is set to be a beauty. The Bays have looked more impressive so far in their wins, destroying Central District in the first half last week in what was another top two contest, though take nothing away from West Adelaide who has come up against some quality opponents such as reigning grand finalists South Adelaide and put them away late.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

West Adelaide: 4
Glenelg: 6

Glenelg and West Adelaide have only faced off twice in a regular season back in the first two years of the competition, where the Bays took an early 3-1 head-to-head lead. Since then, the sides have only met once each in a regular season, though the most famous meeting between the two teams was the Bays’ 2021 SANFLW premiership-winning grand final. In their last meeting which was Round 1 last year, West Adelaide won by 14 points to edge closer to an even head-to-head. All four of West’s wins have come at Hisense Stadium too.

TEAMS

West Adelaide:

B: Tiana Fernandez (20), Jess Chyer (18)
HB: Brooke Smith (12), Madi Russell (1), Lucy Boyd (2)
C: Emma Kilpatrick (27), Keeley Kustermann (8), Paige Allan (35)
HF: Ruby Ballard (22), Nicole Hooper (11), Lauren Young (30)
F: Ella Maxwell (29), Chloe Tonkin (14)
R: Tess Huxtable (25), Zoe Venning (9), Hannah Button (7)
INT: Olivia Smith (6), Asha Dufour (15), Emily Mableson (44), Georgie Pater (26), Grace McNicol (21)

Glenelg:

B: Alex Walker (24), Poppy Scholz (20)
HB: Ellen Tyminski (18), Shay’lee Dayman (4), Lauren Edwards (34)
C: Ella Boag (43), Piper Window (45), Violet Patterson (6)
HF: Grace Duffy (10), Jorja Eldridge (28), Brooke Tonon (40)
F: Sam Franson (5), Jess Searle (23)
R: Alex Pearce (30), Jasmin Stewart (48), Jess Bates (29)
INT: Mel Hinge (17), Ash Dyer (1), Matilda Wilmore (19), Ellie Kellock (8), Alice Bradley (21)

CHANGES

West Adelaide is cruising along nicely and the Bloods have been able to welcome back Olivia Smith to the fold to replace the injured Jemma Ellis who will miss due to a leg injury. Glenelg has made three changes with AFLW Academy member Poppy Scholz, bottom-age State Academy member Matilda Wilmore and the experienced Alice Bradley back to the fold. The trio replaces suspended duo Eloise Mackereth and Marie Martino, as well as Tamsyn Morriss.

AFLW DRAFT WATCH

Scholz’s return is a big one for the Bays as she will provide some serious intercepting ability. Alongside the top-age talent is hard-running winger Violet Patterson coming off her best game of the season, while Wilmore returning to the fold will provide some great defensive pressure across the ground.

West Adelaide saw what Emily Mableson will offer for them coming off half-back over the next few years last week, while Ruby Ballard and Emma Kilpatrick were also damaging in the front half of the ground. Chloe Tonkin provides a strong marking target inside 50, while Asha Dufour and Lucy Boyd have enjoyed consistent seasons.

KEY MATCHUP

Zoe Venning (West Adelaide) vs. Jasmin Stewart (Glenelg)

The Bays have a lot of damaging players, particularly through the midfield, but Stewart is arguably the best of the lot. Her kicking and decision making against Central District was sublime last week and the Bloods can ill-afford her to have too many touches. Venning has been one of the most consistent SANFLW players over the last few years and is most likely to win the ball while still negating her direct opponent.

STATS THAT MATTER

These two sides are ranked in the top two for most statistics, with all scoing areas having Glenelg well in front, but West Adelaide the next best. The Bays’ inside 50 differential of 21.3 is just ridiculous off three games, while West Adelaide is next with 9.0. The Bloods do have an advantage in the defensive efficiency, rating third overall for the lowest shots allowed from total inside 50s, with 37.5 per cent. Glenelg is actually seventh in the league with 40 per cent, but do not allow many inside 50s to begin with.

PREDICTION

Either side has the potential to win, but a full strength Glenelg is scary good, so if the Bays can produce something similar to last week’s first half, then it is hard to see any side beating them. The Bloods have a midfield that will compete with Glenelg’s star-studded one, and must simply win that battle to try and get on top.

FORM

In a huge Round 4 contest, both teams will be desperate for a win, with the Roosters yet to get on the board in the 2024 season, while Norwood has gone 1-2, albeit with both losses within a kick of its opponents.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

North Adelaide: 7
Norwood: 7

It is incredibly to think this rivalry will stretch into a 15th match early in the season, with their previous 14 encounters including three finals. The pair faced off in the inaugural match of the SANFLW competition with Norwood running away 40-point winners, then repeating the dose in that year’s grand final. In recent seasons North Adelaide has got on top, winning five of the past seven encounters, with only the Redlegs’ 2021 season proving the outlier with two victories that year. The teams have only played at Hisense against each other twice, splitting those results at 1-1 as well.

TEAMS

North Adelaide:

B: Lucy Reddaway (48), Teagan Robins (54)
HB: Ella Quinn (14), Lauren Hoffmann (45), Katelyn Pope (13)
C: Brianna Arthur (18), Amelie Borg (22), Jess Edwards (2)
HF: Julia Clark (33), Lauren Gauci (35), Laela Ebert (9)
F: Cristie Castle (1), Aprille Crooks (10)
R: Sarah Steele-Park (36), Laura Niejalke (16), Jamie Parish (20)
INT: Sasha Hardin (38), Neveah Ebert (31), Sarcha Taylor (52), Indi Buckskin-James (19), Djimila Totham (30), Lara Harding (27)

Norwood:

B: Emily Bartsch (27), Rosie Boon (46)
HB: Molly Brooksby (18), Charli Hazelhurst (39), Najwa Allen (66)
C: Coby Morgan (2), Kate Alexander (61), Tahlita Buethke (1)
HF: Amelia Rusden (10), Jade Halfpenny (22), Shai Hiscock (13)
F: Lana Schwerdt (41), Adrienne Davies (8)
R: Sachi Syme (4), Elle Lineage (50), Sarah Branford (9)
INT: Nicola Burns (23), Kiana Lee (28), Georgina Birchall (37), Charlotte Nenke (44), Tesharna Maher (14)

CHANGES

North Adelaide has unveiled a massive five debutants for the clash in a move to shake up the team’s form. The Roosters will hand Lucy Reddaway, Sasha Hardin, Nevaeh Ebert, Teagan Robins and Lara Harding their first North Adelaide SANFLW jumpers which will provide plenty of intrigue and unpredictability. Yet to confirm the final 21, the Roosters will miss Maddy Guerin (VFLW) and Jemma Charity (knee).

Norwood will make two changes with Molly Brooksby the key in, while Steph Simmonds will be away, and Candice Belbin misses due to suspension.

AFLW DRAFT WATCH

With Charity missing, North Adelaide’s other top-age State Academy member is in-form defender Laela Ebert, who has outstanding skill and decision making from the back half of the ground. Small forward Sarcha Taylor is one to watch, while Reddaway and Nevaeh Ebert are both members of the Under 16s state squad.

Norwood speedster Coby Morgan has shown glimpses of her potential, while ruck Kate Alexander and defender Charli Hazelhurst are ones to watch into the future.

KEY MATCHUP

Katelyn Pope (North Adelaide) vs. Tahlita Buethke (Norwood)

A battle between two hard-running wingers who can play both offensively and defensively, Pope is usually the one creating forward 50 entries and scoring opportunities, while Buethke worked hard last week to build some drive off half-back.

STATS THAT MATTER

Defensively North Adelaide is strong, only allowing 29.2 per cent of inside 50s to be converted into shots, but by the same token, only create a scoring shot from every 59.4 disposals, 38.6 more disposals than the next worst. Norwood on the other hand is ranked second in that category with a scoring shot every 17.7 disposals. Interestingly, North has had the second most possessions per game (257.3), while Norwood has had the least amount of ball of any SANFLW club (212.3).

PREDICTION

Norwood has looked the better side this year and have been agonisingly close to being 3-0, while North Adelaide’s selection shakeup could prove the key to success. For now though, the Redlegs look that step above in terms of cohesion and scoring potential.

FORM

After both teams suffered losses in Rounds 1-2, they bounced back with wins in Round 3. South Adelaide kicked away from North Adelaide early, while the Eagles held on against a fast-finishing Norwood outfit.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

South Adelaide: 5
Woodville-West Torrens: 0

South Adelaide has held the wood over the Eagles since they first played in 2019. Having only faced off once a year in the past five seasons, the Panthers have come away with the victory. Though despite the lob-sided head-to-head and relative success differential, aside from the first time they played (54 points), the Panthers have only won by an average margin of 6.3 points in the four clashes since.

TEAMS

South Adelaide:

B: Jaslynne Smith (35), Esther Schirmer (23)
HB: Sam Pratt (22), Tiffany King (14), Lauren Clifton (41)
C: Emma Charlton (25), Caitlin Couch (10), Morgan Johnston (1)
HF: Jess Waterhouse (8), Mel Anderson (6), Emily Brockhurst (13)
F: Jordann Hickey (4), Layla Vizguadis (20)
R: Soriah Moon (32), Brooke Boileau (37), Nikki Nield (2)
INT: Lily Baxter (56), Sarah Wright (5), Nicole Mark (16), Litonya Cockatoo-Motlap (15), Laqouiya Cockatoo-Motlap (11),  Nicole Campbell (9), Shae Archbold (17), Dorrena Hansen (26)

Woodville-West Torrens:

B: Lily Tarlinton (49), Christina Leuzzi (19)
HB: Audrey Holt (10), Poppy Waterford (1), Amie Blanden (12)
C: Olivia Evans (28), Sophie Zuill (24), Shineah Goody (34)
HF: Popi Gikas (2), Rosette Zerella (32), McKenzie Dowrick (23)
F: Klaudia O’Neill (18), Annie Falkenberg (8)
R: Leah Cutting (26), Brianna Walling (13), Marlie Fiegert (30)
INT: Renee Forth (27), Ashley Baker (44), Bianca Portaro (3), Lucy Moore (15), Georgie Blades (39), Cher Waters (20), Erini Gikas (6), Imogen Trengove (22)

CHANGES

South Adelaide has been able to regain some serious experience despite losing Chelsea Farr for the match. The Panthers regain midfielders Nicole Campbell and Caitlin Couch, some height in Nicole Mark and dangerous ex-Rooster forward Doreena Hansen.

Woodville-West Torrens will cut down on an extended bench, but have potential debutants in young gun Imogen Trengove and former Double Blue, Erini Gikas. Lucy Moore and Georgie Blades have also been added to the squad, while a trio of key players will miss in Taylah Levy (unavailable), Grace Martin (concussion) and Brooklyn Kraft (injured).

AFLW DRAFT WATCH

If Trengove plays then she will be one to enjoy for Eagles fans with plenty of highlights at junior level. She will be alongside the likes of Klaudia O’Neill and Bianca Portaro who have been steadfast in defence. From a mature-age perspective, Christina Leuzzi is an intriguing prospect who has enjoyed a great year coming out of defence.

South Adelaide double bottom-ager Emma Charlton had a memorable debut last week and remains in teh side as does fellow youngster Layla Vizgaudis. In defence, Esther Schirmer will have a key role to play, while Lily Baxter and Shae Archbold are on the extended bench.

KEY MATCHUP

Emily Brockhurst (South Adelaide) vs. Annie Falkenberg (Woodville-West Torrens)

Brockhurst is leading all-comers in the goalkicking this season, slotting seven goals and catching plenty of attention as a potential mature-age draft prospect. Exciting and dangerous inside 50, the Eagles might turn to skipper Falkenberg in her milestone 50th match to try and quell the in-form Panther.

STATS THAT MATTER

Woodville-West Torrens has been the most accurate team on goal this season, kicking at 54.5 per cent, while South ranks equal fourth with 45.9 per cent. It should come as no surprise that the Panthers are good at limiting their opponent having shots, ranking second in scoring shots converted from inside 50 (35.9 per cent), while it is an area the Eagles have struggled with, last in the competition (43.3 per cent).

PREDICTION

South Adelaide looked to have its mojo back a little last week, and building on that confidence with some key ins, it will be hard to see them drop many down at Noarlunga from this point on. As last year’s grand finalists they should get on top here with the Eagles missing some important talents themselves, though if the visitors get up it will be a huge booster for their young side.