NORTH Adelaide has shown it can beat any side on its given day despite being anchored to the bottom of the latter, stunning first placed Glenelg in a remarkable 11-point win. Since losing their first nine games, the Roosters have won two on the trot under interim coach Kelly Barltrop, this time knocking of the Bays, 5.5 (35) to 3.6 (24).

For a side that was odds-on to be wooden spooners a fortnight ago, all of a sudden avoiding the bottom looks a distinct possibility. Glenelg looked good early when making the most of its chances thanks to two goals to star young gun Eloise Mackereth, but only managed one more for the game as North Adelaide kicked four of the last five goals to win at Prospect Oval.

North Adelaide was smashed in the clearances (23-32) but returned serve in the inside 50s (27-19) as the Roosters structured up behind the ball and limited Glenelg’s chances inside 50. The Roosters have struggled to make the most of their chances from inside 50s this season, but produced 10 scores from 27 entries in an impressive effort.

Fittingly, it was 50th gamer Jessica Edwards who slotted the winning goal, with teammates flooding from everywhere to celebrate with the milestone midfielder. She was quiet by her standards in the match ith just the eight touches, but it was more about the even team contribution, with Julia Clark and Ella Quinn the top ball-winners with 16.

Aprille Crooks hit the scoreboard again off a wing and playing on-ball, one of five individual goalkickers, while at the other end, Kristi Harvey and Ella Metcalfe provided drive out of defence.

For the Bays, it was no surprise to see Jessica Bates at the top of the disposal count once again, racking up 30 touches, three marks, eight tackles, nine clearances and five inside 50s in the win, while partner-in-crime Jo Miller (18 disposals, 12 tackles) was the other major goalkicker. Samantha Franson and Shay’Lee Dayman were among the better Tigers.

NORTH ADELAIDE 1.1 | 3.2 | 4.4 | 5.5 (35)
GLENELG 2.1 | 2.4 | 3.5 | 3.6 (24)

GOALS:
North Adelaide: A. Crooks, J. Edwards, L. Hoffman. S. Taylor, A. Ward
Glenelg: E. Mackereth 2, J. Eldridge

RMC BEST:
North Adelaide: E. Quinn, A. Crooks. S. Hardin, A. Ward, K. Harvey
Glenelg: J. Bates, S. Franson. S. Dayman, J. Miller, E. Mackereth

Sturt survives with impressive third term

Sturt has kept itself in the mathematical hunt for finals – albeit needing a miracle to make the post-season series – after defeating Woodville-West Torrens by 27 points at Unley on the weekend. The Double Blues looked to be largely on top but could not make the most of their chances until opening up in the third term where they kicked three goals to nil.

Back-to-back goals to Georgia Swan in the space of three minutes was the difference, with the Double Blues putting the icing on the cake in the last few moments of the match with a Goal of the Year contender from the boundary off the boot of Georgia King.

Sturt’s disposal efficiency of 71 per cent compared to the Eagles’ 61 percent was a big difference, as the Double Blues withstood 94 tackles from their opponents, winning the clearances (32-26) but breaking even in the inside 50s (31-32).

Midfielder Isobel Kuiper was sensational around the stoppages notching up seven clearances to go with 26 touches and 12 tackles, while Alisha Gepp (25 disposals, five tackles and three clearances) and Kate Harris (19 disposals, 11 tackles, six clearances and four inside 50s) supported her well. Ruck Jasmin Fejo (22 disposals, 16 hitouts five clearances, four inside 50s and four rebound 50s) was superb all game, while youngsters India Rasheed and Sophie Thredgold had their moments.

Grace Martin and Poppy Waterford were consistent all match for the Eagles through the middle, each laying 10 tackles as did ruck Leah Cutting who had the 34 hitouts and four clearances as well. Bianca Portaro led her side for clearances rotating between midfield and defence, battling on all game.

STURT 2.2 | 3.2 | 6.2 | 7.2 (44)
WWT EAGLES 1.1 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 2.5 (17)

GOALS:
Sturt: G. Swan 2, A. Brooks-Birve, G. King, M. McCarthy. E. Thornquest. J. Wittervan
WWT Eagles: B. Walling. S. Zuill

RMC BEST:
Sturt: I. Kuiper, J. Fejo, K. Harris, A. Gepp, S. Thredgold
WWT Eagles: L. Cutting, G. Martin. P. Waterford, B. Portaro, C. Leuzzi

Norwood moves into finals box seat

An impressive display on the road by Norwood has seen the Redlegs gain vital breathing space in the run home to finals, defeating fellow contenders Central District by nine points. The Dogs were left to rue an inaccurate first term where they kicked six behinds while keeping Norwood scoreless, only for the Redlegs to storm home to a 4.5 (29) to 2.8 (20) victory.

All six goals kicked in the match were booted up the same end of the ground, and though when the Dogs caught their opponents by the final break and looked likely to secure the win, the Redlegs stepped up in the last 20 minutes to do what Central District has often inflicted on other sides. Goals to Adrienne Davies and Lana Schwerdt won Norwood the game, with the latter’s major at the seven minute mark receiving appeals for a touched ball.

Norwood brought some great heat in the game, laying 79 tackles to 64, while getting on top in the clearances, 27-20. Though the Redlegs lost the hitout battle, they showed composure out of defence, clearing 25 times to 20 and then getting on top when it counted late.

Jade Halfpenny produced a best on ground performance with 25 disposals, five marks – one contested – seven tackles, eight clearances and five inside 50s, while Davies and Lee combined brilliantly inside 50, with 17 and 16 disposals respectively, as well as each kicking a goal. Sarah Branford looked good around the stoppages, while Tahlita Buethke provided some run for the visitors.

Central District skipper Shelby Smith (21 disposals, five marks, eight tackles, four clearances and three rebound 50s) tried hard all day, while Jovanka Zecevic (17 disposals, four marks and seven clearances) was among the standouts. Youngsters Dakota Williams and Charlotte Riggs also impressed, as Tess Gerhardy was a rock in defence.

CENTRAL DISTRICT 0.6 | 0.6 | 2.8 | 2.8 (20)
NORWOOD 0.0 | 2.3 | 2.5 | 4.5 (29)

GOALS:
Central District: K. Rosenzweig, C. Riggs
Norwood: A. Davies, K. Lee, L. Schwerdt, E. Bartsch

RMC BEST:
Central District: S. Smith, J. Zecevic, D. Williams, T. Gerhardy, C. Riggs
Norwood: J. Halfpenny, A. Davies K. Lee, T. Buethke, S. Branford