FIVE weeks after sensationally winning Glenelg the game against Norwood back in Round 6 of the SANFL Women’s season, bottom-age forward Eloise Mackereth was again breaking Redlegs hearts after critically rushing a behind through her own goals in order to tie the scores and secure a point for the Bays.

Her plan worked to perfection, with the one-point deficit late in the game becoming square after an anti-density free kick against the Redlegs saw Glenelg skipper Samantha Franson launch from the top of 50. Though it went wide, Mackereth had the smarts to know the time and the situation to rush it through, realising that one point was better than none in the scheme of things and gladly handed the ball back to the Norwood defence.

A moment later after the Redlegs cleared the defensive 50, the siren sounded and the teams were split at 4.3 (27) apiece, a fair indication of a match where both sides had their chances, but ultimately they could not be split.

The largest margin all game was 10 points, with Norwood reaching the feat at quarter time and again late in the second term, before Mackereth kicked a six-pointer right on the edge of half-time to cut the deficit to just four at the main break. That had come after partner-in-crime Jordan Horne had placed a well-weighted kick inside 50 to Mackereth. Horne and fellow Bays teenager Matilda Wilmore had combined earlier in the quarter for the visitor’s first goal.

While Norwood held the lead early, Glenelg also gained the upper hand at times, going ahead by six points via a Mel Hinge goal with a buzzer-beating kick on the three quarter time siren. The Bays had the rev up they needed right before the final break, setting the match up for a thrilling finish.

Shai Hiscock produced a terrific run-down tackle early in the last quarter with her set shot pushing to the far left and cutting Norwood’s deficit to less than a kick. That kick came off the boot of the dangerous Tesharna Maher, who, in the ninth minute produced a classy finish on the run to give her side the 27-26 lead midway through the quarter.

Incredibly both sides had chances to get over the line, with Tahlita Buethke intercepting a kick inside 50 but her kick went to a pack and was cut off, then a Horne run-down tackle at the top of 50 also saw the ball go in deep, but not quite generate a score. However a minute later, with the ball in the Bays’ forward half, an anti-density free kick was paid, and Franson had the ball.

Knowing there was no more than a minute left, Franson thumped the ball as far as she could, and with the ball bouncing towards goal, Mackereth got to it first before her opponent and just guided it across the line, not willing to take the risk of kicking a near-impossible goal which would more likely result in a holding the ball or a turnover.

Instead, the youngster picked the option that guaranteed Glenelg a point, and took any percentage discussions out of it. With both South Adelaide and Central District still a win and a half behind the Bays, there is still enough breathing space for a double chance with four games remaining. The draw was enough for Norwood to remain a point clear of West Adelaide in fourth.

Both sides had no shortage of contributors with Glenelg duo Jessica Bates and Jo Miller having days out around the stoppages. Bates finished with 29 disposals, four marks, 10 clearances and 23 tackles in the draw, while Miller helped herself to 26 touches, three marks – one contested – 16 tackles and nine clearances. In defence, Marie Martino was prominent with 15 disposals, two marks and nine tackles, while Ellen Tyminski, Franson and Shay’Lee Dayman were all among the better players on the day.

For the Redlegs, Hiscock was sensational with 17 disposals, 12 tackles, four clearances and five inside 50s, teaming up well with Sarah Branford (15 touches, 10 tackles, four clearances and three inside 50s) through midfield. Buethke (23 disposals, five marks) was always finding important spots around the ground, while Candice Belbin worked hard in midfield, and Emma Clark kicked her side’s first two goals when the heat was on.

NORWOOD 2.0 | 3.0 | 3.2 | 4.3 (27)
GLENELG 0.2 | 2.2 | 4.2 | 4.3 (27)

GOALS:
Norwood: E. Clark 2, J. Halfpenny, T. Maher
Glenelg: E. Mackereth, M. Hinge, J. Horne, J. Searle

RMC BEST:
Norwood: S. Hiscock. T. Buethke, S. Branford, C. Belbin, E. Clark
Glenelg: J. Bates, J. Miller, M. Martino, E. Tyminski, S. Franson