GLENELG moved clearer atop the SANFL Women’s ladder after Round 8, and produced a massive half-dozen players in our SANFLW Team of the Week. The Bays finished two clear of Central District (four), while fellow winners West Adelaide and Norwood, as well as tight losers Woodville-West Torrens all contributed three players.

While the Bays had the most this week, it was Central District skipper Shelby Smith who was named captain of the hypothetical team, recording 29 disposals, three marks, 15 tackles, eight clearances, three inside 50s and two rebound 50s as she helped guide the Dogs to a crucial win over the Eagles.

Match-winning forward Katelyn Rosenzweig – who kicked three goals from 15 touches – was named at full-forward, while fellow Dogs Caitlin Wendland and Dakota Williams also made the side for Round 8.

Glenelg’s Jo Miller was sensational and picked up the vice-captaincy after 32 touches, eight marks – one contested – 11 tackles, five clearances and seven inside 50s, with her partner-in-crime Jessica Bates having another casual 36 disposals, five marks, 11 tackles, seven clearances and nine inside 50s to complete the on-ball division. Defenders Poppy Scholz and Marie Martino, and top-age midfielder Violet Patterson all feature again, with forward Jorja Eldridge named in a pocket.

Norwood had a fantastic win under lights against South Adelaide, with defender Emily Bartsch earning a spot in our Team of the Week for her job on Emily Brockhurst while creating some drive out of defence, while winer Coby Morgan and inside midfielder Candice Belbin found spots in the side.

West Adelaide also picked up the two points, with Hannah Button squeezed out to a half-forward flank given her ability to play there and hit the scoreboard each week. She was joined in the side by defender Lucy Boyd and midfielder Zoe Venning. The Bloods’ opponent North Adelaide had the one representative in Laela Ebert who was named at half-back.

Despite losing, Woodville-West Torrens also had three representatives in the side, with captain Annie Falkenberg named in defence, Grace Martin at half-forward and Leah Cutting named in the ruck after the trio’s performances against Central District.

The remaining four players in the side come from South Adelaide and Sturt, with the Panthers duo of Tiffany King and Nicole Campbell both making the team, while top-ager India Rasheed and versatile tall Millie McCarthy also slotted into the 24-player squad.

In Round 8, the three emergencies were West Adelaide ruck Tess Huxtable, North Adelaide utility Ella Quinn and Woodville-West Torrens’ midfielder Poppy Waterford chosen.

2024 SANFL WOMEN’S ROUND 8 TEAM OF THE WEEK:

B: Tiffany King (South Adelaide) – Emily Bartsch (Norwood) – Annie Falkenberg (WWT Eagles)
HB: Marie Martino (Glenelg) – Poppy Scholz (Glenelg) – Laela Ebert (North Adelaide)
C: Coby Morgan (Norwood) – Shelby Smith (Central District) (c) – Violet Patterson (Glenelg)
HF: Hannah Button (West Adelaide) – India Rasheed (Sturt) – Grace Martin (WWT Eagles)
F: Jorja Eldridge (Glenelg) – Katelyn Rosenzweig (Central District) – Caitlin Wendland (Central District)
R: Leah Cutting (WWT Eagles) – Jess Bates (Glenelg) – Jo Miller (Glenelg) (vc)
INT: Candice Belbin (Norwood) – Lucy Boyd (West Adelaide) – Nicole Campbell (South Adelaide) – Millie McCarthy (Sturt) – Zoe Venning (West Adelaide) – Dakota Williams (Central District)

EMG: Tex Huxtable (West Adelaide) – Ella Quinn (North Adelaide) – Poppy Waterford (WWT Eagles)