ALL four winners shared in a equal league-high four representatives in the Round 5 SANFL Women’s Team of the Week. Central District, Norwood, South Adelaide and Woodville-West Torrens combined for two thirds of this week’s Team of the Week, with Glenelg (three) the best of the losers ahead of North and West Adelaide (two apiece) and Sturt (one).

The captain this week is Ellen Maple Medallist Tahlita Buethke after her best on ground performance that saw her pick up 28 disposals, 10 marks – one contested – three tackles and four rebound 50s to star in Norwood’s win over Sturt. Her vice-captain for this week is South Adelaide midfielder Nikki Nield who had 25 disposals, nine marks, nine tackles, four clearances, six inside 50s and two rebound 50s.

There were three other Redlegs and Panthers in this week’s team, with Norwood contributing one player in each third of the ground. Buethke was joined in the side by Najwa Allen at half-back, and Kiana Lee at centre half-forward, while Lana Schwerdt kicked a couple of important goals and made it onto the bench.

From South Adelaide, top-age defender Esther Schirmer was huge and earned a place at centre half-back after a league-high 12 marks in Round 5, while competition leading goalkicker Emily Brockhurst was named in the forward pocket after three more goals. Brooke Boileau completed the quartet with a spot on the bench.

Central District’s hard-fought win over North Adelaide also earned the Dogs four players in the Team of the week, highlighted by skipper Shelby Smith in the middle. Olivia Levicki was outstanding in the ruck once again, while Katelyn Rosenzweig (three goals) and Jasmine Evans (two) were crucial in side 50.

The Eagles had a much needed victory and also shared the spoils of four representatives, as skipper Annie Falkenberg was named in defence, and four-goal hero Lily Tarlinton was an easy choice for full-forward. Running talents Shineah Goody and Christina Leuzzi were named on the interchange.

Of the losing sides, Glenelg picked up the most representatives with three, as midfielders Jessica Bates and Violet Patterson had big days out despite the disappointing defeat, while Ella Boag tried hard in defence. It was a similar story for West Adelaide duo Jessica Chyer and Emily Mableson who were critical in the Bloods’ back 50.

Rounding out the 24-player squad is a couple of Roosters in Jessica Edwards and Tayla Gordon, as well as dangerous Sturt forward, Monique Bessen who kicked two of her side’s three goals. Her Double Blues teammate Molly Fletcher was named as one of three emergencies alongside Zoe Venning and Soriah Moon.

2024 SANFL WOMEN’S ROUND 5 TEAM OF THE WEEK:

B: Annie Falkenberg (WWT Eagles) – Jessica Chyer (West Adelaide) – Emily Mableson (West Adelaide)
HB: Najwa Allen (Norwood) – Esther Schirmer (South Adelaide) – Ella Boag (Glenelg)
C: Violet Patterson (Glenelg) – Shelby Smith (Central District) – Tahlita Buethke (Norwood) (c)
HF: Tayla Gordon (North Adelaide) – Kiana Lee (Norwood) – Monique Bessen (Sturt)
F: Emily Brockhurst (South Adelaide) – Lily Tarlinton (WWT Eagles) – Jasmine Evans (Central District)
R: Olivia Levicki (Central District) – Jess Bates (Glenelg) – Nikki Nield (South Adelaide) (vc)
INT: Brooke Boileau (South Adelaide) – Jess Edwards (North Adelaide) – Shineah Goody (WWT Eagles) – Christina Leuzzi (WWT Eagles) – Katelyn Rosenzweig (Central District) – Lana Schwerdt (Norwood)

EMG: Zoe Venning (West Adelaide) – Molly Fletcher (Sturt) – Soriah Moon (South Adelaide)