GLENELG is the last remaining undefeated SANFL Women’s side after seeing off the challenge of West Adelaide and moving to 4-0 for the 2024 season. In a low-scoring, tight affair, an inaccurate Bays outfit kicked 2.12 (24) to 3.3 (21) to come away with the crucial two points.

Glenelg had 17 more inside 50s for the match (36-19) but poor kicking on goal let the Bays down, as they possessed the ball well and gained field advantage more often than not. Two of West Adelaide’s three goals were set up by dynamo Lauren Young to fellow teenager Asha Dufour as the Bloods capitalised on limited looks.

For the most part, it looked as though inaccuracy might cost Glenelg, as the Bays booted four behinds in the first term to the Bloods’ 1.2 to trail by four points at the first chance. The sole major came thanks to Young finding Dufour on the move and she duly delivered, while up the other end, even the best sharpshooters could not seem to find the big sticks.

Despite her inaccuracy, Brooke Tonon was sublime in the forward half, often on the end of either Jessica Bates or Piper Window, while Violet Patterson produced another 25-disposal game off the wing. She did spend some time on the inside and laid 10 tackles, as did fellow State Academy member Poppy Scholz who was a consistent intercepting force.

For West Adelaide, it was the ever strong Zoe Venning through midfield who continuted to put up big numbers while defenders Lucy Boyd and Jessica Chyer were key reasons why the Bays struggled to breakthrough.

It took until the five and a half minute mark of the season term for Window to make no mistake on a 40m set shot and put her side in front, with Glenelg keeping West Adelaide scoreless for the term. After half-time Young and Dufour combined again with the latter easily nailing the set shot and handing her team the lead.

Glenelg continued to pepper the goals with skipper Samantha Franson and Window a little wayward on the day, but the two behinds in teh first seven minutes of the term were enough to put the Bays back in front. However another timely goal to the Bloods – this time through Olivia Smith – gave the home side back the lead. That goal was so close to being touched off a snap that the umpire wanted a video review, but in the end went with the gut feeling and paid the goal

The Bloods tackling pressure was limiting the effectiveness of Glenelg’s play, but when Jorja Eldridge got to the right spot and snapped truly, the yellow and black were in front with a quarter to play. Granted, it was just one point, and when Venning played on rom a mark in. theorward pocket strolling into goal there were danger signs, but it came off the side of the midfielder’s boot for one behind.

The finish was far from pretty, as Glenelg yet again continued to pepper the goals without much reward, But at the end of the day, field position and locking the ball inside 50 proved to be the difference with the Bloods unable to score again. Though the Bays only added three behinds to finish the match, it was enough for Glenelg to scape past West Adelaide by just three points.

Bates would rack up a match-high 30 disposals and 17 tackles for the Bays, as well as six clearances, three marks and three inside 50s. She was well supported by Window (24 disposals, seven marks, five tackles, five clearances, five inside 50s and 1.2) and Patterson (25 disposals, four marks, 10 tackles, four clearances and two inside 50s) while Tonon and Scholz were phenomenal up respective ends.

For the Bloods, Venning was consistent as always through midfield with 28 touches, four marks, seven tackles, two clearance and two rebound 50s, while Boyd clunked five marks – two contested – and laid seven tackles from 21 disposals. Chyer was also strong in defence, while Dufour and Young did their best to impact the scoreboard, and Ella Maxwell was consistent throughout the game.

WEST ADELAIDE 1.2 | 1.2 | 3.2 | 3.3 (21)
GLENELG 0.4 | 1.7 | 2.9 | 2.12 (24)

GOALS:
West Adelaide: A. Dufour 2, O. Smith
Glenelg: P. Window, J. Eldridge

RMC BEST:
Glenelg: B. Tonon, P. Window, J. Bates, V. Patterson, P. Scholz
West Adelaide: L. Boyd, Z. Venning, J. Chyer, A. Dufour, E. Maxwell