GLENELG has maintained its two-game gap on the rest of the SANFL Women’s competition following a 10-point win over West Adelaide at home on Saturday evening. The Bays had to withstand a determined West Adelaide outfit that led for the majority of the first half, and levelled the scores by the final break, before kicking clear in a 6.7 (43) to 5.3 (33) victory.

>> Dogs do it again in high-scoring final term

When West Adelaide tied scores late in the third term – snapping a run of three consecutive Glenelg goals through the second and third quarters – it looked like the Bloods might steady to snatch the two points. However an elite run-down tackle from Jordan Horne on fellow young gun Emily Mableson resulted in the bottom-ager making no mistake and giving her side some confidence.

When first time Tiger Kiahni Russell slotted her second goal from a set shot, the margin was 14 points and the game essentially done. Credit goes to West Adelaide who kept fighting with Kendell Saffin converting at the 13-minute mark with a snap around her body, but the Tigers did enough in the final term to close out the match and win by 10 points.

It was a tackle fest with Glenelg laying 107 tackles to West Adelaide’s 101, while also going plus-10 in clearances (40-30) and plus-four in inside 50s (27-23) winning the territory battle more often than not. But West Adelaide’s accuracy and ability to make the most of its chances kept it in the game, and no doubt the Bloods can take plenty from the loss.

The midfield duo of Jessica Bates (35 disposals, three marks, 13 tackles, eight clearances, five inside 50s and four rebound 50s) and Jo Miller (25 disposals, 16 tackles, nine clearances and five inside 50s) were both huge once again, working well alongside ruck Shay’Lee Dayman (16 disposals, 11 tackles, 24 hitouts, six clearances and two rebound 50s).

Zoe Venning worked hard on the inside racking up 25 touches – 20 handballs – 13 tackles and six clearances, while top-age State Academy members Emma Kilpatrick, Asha Dufour and Lucy Boyd were full of running in the loss.

GLENELG 1.0 | 2.3 | 4.3 | 6.7 (43)
WEST ADELAIDE 3.1 | 3.2 | 4.3 | 5.3 (33)

GOALS:
Glenelg: K. Russell 2, S. Franson, J. Horne, E. Mackereth, D. McCarthy
West Adelaide: K. Saffin 2, N. Hooper, M. Peterson, C. Tonkin

RMC BEST:
Glenelg: J. Bates, J. Miller, S. Dayman, D. McCarthy, S. Franson
West Adelaide: Z. Venning, E. Kilpatrick, L. Boyd, L. Waye, A. Dufour

Redlegs roll Roosters to move into top four

Norwood has regained fourth spot on the SANFL Women’s ladder following back-to-back wins with the latest coming against last placed North Adelaide. The Redlegs held the Roosters scoreless in the first half, before back-to-back goals early in the third term to North Adelaide gave the visitors a sniff. However, Norwood steadied to kick four of the last five goals to secure the 29-point win.

The stats were even across the board but once again it was a case of North Adelaide not quite making the most of its forward forays. The Redlegs defence did well in clearing it, though the Roosters had their chances, with only five less inside 50s (29-34), while breaking even in the clearances (26-27).

It was the marking targets of Kiana Lee (17 disposals, seven marks – three contested – four tackles and 2.4) and Jade Halfpenny (16 disposals, seven marks – two contested – five tackles, two clearances, three inside 50s and three rebound 50s) who shone in the air.

At ground level, the likes of Sophie Armitstead (15 disposals, five tackles and seven clearances) and Elle Lineage (13 disposals, six clearances) worked hard. Debutant Ailene Hiebner had a game to remember, kicking 2.2 from 13 disposals and three marks – two contested – to be among three multiple goalkickers for the Redlegs alongside Lee and Amelia Rusden.

For the Roosters, Julia Clark managed a game-high 22 disposals, also taking five marks and laying 10 tackles. Ella Quinn (19 disposals, four marks, six tackles and six clearances) and Laela Ebert (17 disposals, five clearances, three inside 50s ad two rebound 50s were also prolific in defeat.

NORWOOD 1.2 | 3.7 | 6.8 | 7.10 (52)
NORTH ADELAIDE 0.1 | 0.2 | 2.3 | 3.5 (23)

GOALS:
Norwood: K. Lee 2, A. Hiebner 2, A. Rusden 2, S. Hiscock
North Adelaide: A. Crooks, T. Gordon, A. Ward

RMC BEST:
Norwood: K. Lee, J. Halfpenny, S. Armistead, A. Hiebner, E. Lineage
North Adelaide: J. Clark, E. Quinn, L. Ebert, L. Gauci, J. Edwards

Panthers outlast Eagles in hard-fought slog

There was little room to move for either South Adelaide or Woodville-West Torrens on the weekend, with the former getting the job done on the road to the tune of 20 points. Just two goals were kicked after quarter time – and both came in the third term – as the defenders reigned supreme in the match. At times both teams were a little lucky at their defensive ends with forwards not quite connecting, but in the end the little burst in the premiership quarter was the difference for the Panthers.

The teams traded blows in the opening term with Emily Brockhurst and Rosette Zerella both converting majors, but despite the Eagles having more clearances (25-20), it was the Panthers who dominated forward half possession with 35 inside 50s to 18. To the home side’s credit, they exited defensive 50 a total of 32 times, but were not able to connect further afield to put a winning score on the board.

Only Doreena Hansen and Shae Archbold found the middle of the big sticks in the second half, as South peppered the goals, kicking 2.7 after quarter time. The positive was that the Panthers only conceded a behind in that time, and nothing in the second half as they mopped up the rare forward forays Woodville-West Torrens had.

The South midfield brigade did well with Jordann Hickey (20 disposals, seven tackles, three clearances and six inside 50s) and Nikki Nield (19 disposals, four marks, 19 tackles and three clearances) both cracking in. Nicole Campbell covered the ground well and held a great line a kick behind play, while Jaslynne Smith and Doreena Hansen were both lively.

Melissa Anderson (three behinds) had her chances but looked ever-dangerous, while twins, Litonya and Laquoiya Cockatoo-Motlap both laid seven tackles and combined for 26 disposals in the win.

For the Eagles, skipper Annie Falkenberg stood up bravely in defence recording 28 disposals, six marks and six rebound 50s, while Poppy Waterford shook off attention from Chelsea Farr to finish with 23 disposals, eight tackles, four clearances and seven inside 50s. Marlie Fiegert and Christina Leuzzi were also prominent in defeat.

WWT EAGLES 1.0 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.1 (7)
SOUTH ADELAIDE 1.2 | 1.5 | 3.7 | 3.9 (27)

GOALS:
WWT Eagles: R. Zerella
South Adelaide: S. Archbold, E. Brockhurst, D. Hansen

RMC BEST:
WWT Eagles: A. Falkenberg,. P. Waterford, M. Fiegert, C. Leuzzi, L. Cutting
South Adelaide: N. Nield, J. Hickey, N. Campbell, J. Smith, Laq. Cockatoo-Motlap