NORWOOD did its best impression of its opponent South Adelaide, to shut down the Panthers’ scoring and hold the visitors to their lowest score in SANFL Women’s history on Saturday night. Coming into the Round 8 match, South Adelaide was on a five-game winning streak and coach Rick Watts was one victory off equalling Krissie Steen for the most wins in SANFL Women’s history as coach.

However the Redlegs had other ideas, and while their form coming into the match had been patchy, they played their best game of the season to limit the Panthers to just three behinds in a 4.4 (28) to 0.3 (3) victory at Coopers Stadium. It was a jaw-dropping performance which featured great defensive play, but also being able to make the most of their chances.

South Adelaide was never out of it, but could not seem to convert their inside 50s when they had them, winning the clearances 29-27, but losing the inside 50 count 25-17. The Norwood defence, with the likes of Emily Bartsch, Charli Hazelhurst and Lauren Smith leading the way, gave the Panthers no leeway to score.

When they did have open looks, the perceived pressure was evident, even in the last term when star utility Jordann Hickey ran into an open goal but missed an opportunity she would nail just about every time. It was just one of those nights where everything went right for the Redlegs, and nothing quite went right for the Panthers. But even in defeat, South was far from uncompetitive, having chances and rebounding well, just unable to kick a winning score.

Their defence was strong after quarter time, only conceding two goals – and none in the final term – holding up its end of the bargain. Tiffany King, Nicole Campbell, Jaslynne Smith and Morgan Johnston were among the best players, rock solid in defence, while midfielders Caitlin Couch and Nikki Nield worked hard all game, and Soriah Moon was outstanding in the ruck.

For the Redlegs, Coby Morgan racked up her best disposal figure of her SANFLW career with 20 touches, while Jade Halfpenny and Steph Simmonds battled well through midfield. It was hard to look past Bartsch as best-on for shutting down leading goalkicker Emily Brockhurst and providing drive down the ground. Tahlita Buethke and Shai Hiscock were also prominent.

NORWOOD 2.2 | 3.2 | 4.4 | 4.4 (28)
SOUTH ADELAIDE 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.3 (3)

GOALS:
Norwood: K. Lee 2, M. Walker, A. Rusden
South Adelaide: Nil.

RMC BEST:
Norwood: E. Bartsch, J. Halfpenny, C. Morgan, S. Hiscock, T. Buethke
South Adelaide: T. King, C. Couch, N. Campbell, S. Moon, N. Nield

Bays extend lead at top

Glenelg moved two wins clear on top of the table, dominating field position against Sturt en route to a 13-point win on Anzac Day. Playing at home, the Bays were inaccurate at times booting five goals from 15 scoring shots, but still came away with a comfortable 5.10 (40) to 4.3 (27) victory.

The 13-point margin perhaps flattered Sturt a little, with forward Georgia Swan kicking two goals in the final three minutes to reduce the deficit down from 25 points. Prior to that, back-to-back majors to Jorja Eldridge in the final term had nailed the coffin shut on any Sturt comeback and ensured Glenelg’s inaccuracy – which included 0.5 in the third term – did not come back to haunt the Bays.

Glenelg won the inside 50s count 44-17 despite losing both the hitouts (41-34) and clearances (33-27), but never looked out of control from midway through the game with a plus-86 disposal differential and plus-17 mark differential.

Despite the Double Blues looking to quell Jessica Bates through skipper Kate Harris going head-to-head, the former still racked up an enormous 36 touches to go with five marks, 11 tackles, seven clearances and nine inside 50s.

She was well supported by fellow midfielders, Jo Miller (32 disposals, eight marks, 11 tackles, five clearances and seven inside 50s) and Violet Patterson (20 disposals, three marks, nine tackles, four clearances and six inside 50s), while defenders Marie Martino and Poppy Scholz were important in the win.

For the Double Blues, teenage duo Monique Bessen and India Rasheed combined for 41 disposals,. 13 marks, 15 tackles, eight clearances, eight inside 50s and nine rebound 50s, while the latter also kicked an important goal and set up another to Amy Brooks-Birve for Sturt’s only first half majors. Millie McCarthy did well through the ruck, while defenders Sophie Thredgold and Tahlia Walker provided drive out of defence.

GLENELG 1.3 | 3.5 | 3.10 | 5.10 (40)
STURT 0.1 | 2.2 | 2.2 | 4.3 (27)

GOALS:
Glenelg: L. Armitage 2, J. Eldridge 2, J. Horne
Sturt: G. Swan 2, I. Rasheed, A. Brooks-Birve

RMC BEST:
Glenelg: J. Miller, J. Bates, V. Patterson. P. Scholz. M. Martino
Sturt: M. Bessen. I. Rasheed, M. McCarthy. S. Thredgold, T. Walker

West beats North to retain fourth spot

West Adelaide ensured it would hold onto fourth spot on the SANFL Women’s ladder despite Norwood’s impressive win over South Adelaide, by handing last placed North Adelaide an eighth straight loss. The Bloods largely looked in control thanks to a three goals to one second term which set up the 17-point win.

Leading by three points at the first change, West Adelaide punished the Roosters for a few missed opportunities, kicking 3.1 to 1.0 in the second quarter to head into half-time with a 14-point lead. Never really completely shaking off the Roosters while also never looking too threatened on the scoreboard, West Adelaide held firm despite a late goal in the third quarter for Sarcha Taylor to grind out a scoreless last term and collect the all-important two points.

The West Adelaide midfield took control with six more clearances (31-25) and two more inside 50s (29-27), while importantly winning more of the ball (251-221) which has been an area the Roosters have liked to control. North’s disposal efficiency was still elite, recording 75 per cent, while also clunking 26 more marks (76-50). But it was again a case of not being able to convert their chances, with the Roosters competitive, but ultimately coming away empty handed.

Bloods midfielders Asha Dufour (29 disposals, five marks and five clearances), Zoe Venning (25 disposals, seven marks and three clearances), Hannah Button (20 disposals, six tackles, eight clearances and a goal) and Ruby Ballard (19 disposals, four tackles, five clearances and a goal) were all prominent. In defence, Lucy Boyd repelled plenty of attacks, and the likes of Tess Huxtable and Olivia Smith were both among the bests.

For North Adelaide, Laela Ebert (23 disposals, 10 marks and three clearances) provided an aerial force both in defence and through the middle, while Jessica Edwards and Kristi Harvey were prominent all game. Aprille Crooks showed her high impact with some brilliant bursts, while Sarah Steele-Park, Ella Quinn and Julia Clark worked hard.

NORTH ADELAIDE: 0.3 | 1.3 | 2.4 | 2.4 (16)
WEST ADELAIDE 1.0 | 4.1 | 5.3 | 5.3 (33)

GOALS:
North Adelaide: S. Taylor, B. Arthur
West Adelaide: R. Ballard, H. Button, E. Chapman, B. Hansen. L. Waye

RMC BEST:
North Adelaide: L. Ebert, J. Edwards, K. Harvey, A. Crooks, E. Quinn
West Adelaide: H. Button, L. Boyd, R. Ballard, A. Dufour, Z. Venning