IN the first of our two SANFL Women’s previews, we cast our eye over the opening two games of Round 10 action on Saturday as North Adelaide searches for its first win under new interim coach Kelly Barltrop, with the Eagles desperate for a victory to stay in finals contention. Sturt is in the same boat as the Eagles when the Double Blues face South Adelaide down at Noarlunga, while the Panthers are looking to stay inside the top two.

FORM

North Adelaide is still searching for its first win of the 2024 season with coach Jason Fairall stepping down yesterday off the back of an 0-9 start to the season. The Roosters have talent but are yet to click, facing an Eagles side that is much improved this season but is still in danger of missing finals after a number of close losses.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

North Adelaide: 8
Woodville-West Torrens: 2

It should come as no surprise that North Adelaide has the wood over the Eagles considering the club’s respective histories. In fact, North won the first eight encounters between the sides up until Round 3 last year, with Woodville-West Torrens winning both in Round 12 last season, and then again in Round 6 this season. They won the last head-to-head by a whopping eight goals.

TEAMS

North Adelaide:

B: Bailey Harvey (3), Kristi Harvey (5)
HB: Sarah Steele-Park (36), Jamie Parish (20), Laela Ebert (9)
C: Sasha Hardin (38), Julia Clark (33), Lauren Gauci (35)
HF: Jess Edwards (2), Lauren Hoffmann (45), Tayla Gordon (23)
F: Ella Quinn (14), Amber Ward (24)
R: Indi Buckskin-James (19), Aprille Crooks (10), Djimila Totham (30)
INT: Jasmine Dallimore (53), Sarcha Taylor (52), Laura Niejalke (16), Zoe Perry (44), Lara Harding (27), Brianna Arthur (18), Ella Metcalfe (40)

Woodville-West Torrens:

B: Audrey Holt (10), Amie Blanden (12)
HB: Annie Falkenberg (8), Marlie Fiegert (30), Julia Watson (51)
C: Grace Martin (7), Sophie Zuill (24), Poppy Waterford (1)
HF: Imogen Trengove (22), Rosette Zerella (32), Chantelle Mitchell (5)
F: Klaudia O’Neill (18), Cher Waters (20)
R: Leah Cutting (26), Astrid Gooley (21), Bianca Portaro (3)
INT: Christina Leuzzi (19), Lucy Moore (15), Ashleigh Forbes (40), Popi Gikas (2), Mikayla Cavallaro (4), Erini Gikas (6), Ashley Baker (44), Sophie Whitwell (42)

CHANGES

North Adelaide has bolstered its lineup bringing back key stars Sarah Steele-Park and Brianna Arthur for the clash, while adding Ella Metcalfe, Indi Buckskin-James and Bailey Murray to an extended squad. The Roosters are without Rachel Valenti (ill) and Teagan Robins (ankle).

The Eagles also have a couple of forced changes with Brianna Walling injuring her face, and Brooklyn Kraft missing with a knee injury. Into the team comes the likes of potential debutant Julia Watson, Ashley Baker and Mikayla Cavallaro.

AFLW DRAFT WATCH

Top-age talent Laela Ebert has enjoyed a dominant season for the Rooster and is one to watch having moved into the midfield after starting off half-back. Dangerous forward Sarcha Taylor has also shown some promising signs of late in the front half of the ground.

The Eagles threw Grace Martin into defence last week and it seemed to work well, playing alongside Klaudia O’Neill, while Bianca Portaro has enjoyed greater midfield time. Bottom-ager Imogen Trengove has shown a touch of class around the ball.

STATS THAT MATTER

These two sides are ranked bottom two in forward efficiency, so making more chances from inside 50s will be a key to victory. Despite nine straight losses, the Roosters are ranked first in both marks per game and disposal efficiency, but interestingly last for hitouts. By comparison, the Eagles are second in hitouts, but seventh in both marks and disposal efficiency, showing counter contrasting strengths and weaknesses.

PREDICTION

There always seems to be a boost of energy when a change of coach occurs in the first game, and with a couple of stars back, North could well break the drought. In saying that, there is much more on the line for the Eagles, so they really need to win this game if they are any chance of playing finals.

FORM

South Adelaide bounced back from its lowest scoring match in history just before the bye to defeat Woodville-West Torrens last weekend. It makes it six wins from seven matches for the Panthers, while the time is now for the Double Blues who cannot afford to lose many more if they are to make finals.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

South Adelaide: 10
Sturt: 1

In a similar head-to-head, South Adelaide has well and truly dominated its history against Sturt, winning 10 of 11 matches, with the only loss coming at Unley Oval. The Panthers are 7-0 at Noarlunga, and though they have not played Sturt there since Round 1 last season, will be looking to add one more to the tally. The last three matches the Panthers have won have been single-digit margins, though.

TEAMS

South Adelaide:

B: Tiffany King (14), Sam Pratt (22)
HB: Nicole Campbell (9), Esther Schirmer (23), Jaslynne Smith (35)
C: Laquoiya Cockatoo-Motlap (11), Mel Anderson (6), Layla Vizgaudis (20)
HF: Emma Charlton (25), Jorja Hooper (38), Emily Brockhurst (13)
F: Doreena Hansen (26), Jordann Hickey (4)
R: Soriah Moon (32), Caitlin Couch (10), Nikki Nield (2)
INT: Lily Baxter (56), Sarah Wright (5), Shae Archbold (17), Chelsea Farr (21), Zoe Flesfadar (29), Eqxelle Evans (49), Carly Milsom (45), Morgan Johnston (1)

Sturt:

B: Lily Whitcombe (24), Sarah Wallace (37)
HB: Sophie Thredgold (17), Hannah Prenzler (20), Tahlia Walker (18)
C: Claudia Edmonds (22), Kate Harris (23), Molly Fletcher (31)
HF: Georgia Swan (3), Millie McCarthy (1), India Rasheed (6)
F: Abby Pengelly (7), Georgia King (55)
R: Jasmin Fejo (35), Alisha Gepp (15), Isobel Kuiper (2)
INT: Grace Powell (11), Isabella Drew (28), Amy Brooks-Brive (44), Ruby Cunningham (5), Winnie Thornquest (25), Summer Ross (42), Jaimee Wittervan (35)

CHANGES

Both players lose a key young gun to injury with the Panthers without Litonya Cockatoo-Motlap due to a leg injury, and Sturt down bottom-ager Monique Bessen who will complete the concussion protocols having come off at half-time last week. South Adelaide recall key midfielder Caitlin Couch, while Carly Milsom has another chance to debut, and Sarah Wright and Jorja Hooper are also on the extended bench.

Sturt has added three players to its extended side with bottom-age defender Edwina Thornquest named to return alongside Jaimee Wittervan and Summer Ross.

AFLW DRAFT WATCH

Watch out for star Sturt midfielder/forward India Rasheed who will certainly have tagger Chelsea Farr in the match. Sophie Thredgold and Thornquest are defensive options in the back 50, while South has forward talents such as Hooper, Emma Charlton and Layla Vizgaudis, the latter of whom will start on a wing. Esther Schirmer and Lily Baxter provide plenty of drive through the match.

STATS THAT MATTER

South Adelaide boasts the best defence in the league, only conceding a measly 21.5 points per game on average, and an equal league-high 7.7 scoring shots. The Double Blues generate more scores and more inside 50s, but struggle to get the hands on the footy, ranked last in the league with an average 214.2 possession per game. South is ranked second overall (231.1).

PREDICTION

South Adelaide can just about end Sturt’s finals hopes with a win here given the Double Blues can ill-afford too many losses from this point onwards. If Sturt gets on top then game on for the run home, but the Panthers are also flirting with the difference between a double chance and elimination final first up.