GLENELG secured a double chance in the 2024 SANFL Women’s finals series with a nail-biting one-point win over Woodville-West Torrens on Saturday. Having dropped down to third spot after a three consecutive losses, the Bays were in danger of being sent to a do-or-die elimination final, but managed to secure the double chance thanks to a 4.3 (27) to 3.8 (26) victory.

The Eagles were aiming to play the role of party pooer for the Bays, who had far more on the line in the game. Goals to both Ash Forbes and Brianna Walling opened the lead out to 13 points at the first break and the Eagles looked well on top. An answering goal to Matilda Wilmore was just what the visitors needed in the second term, cutting the deficit back to seven points off the back of hard work from the defence led by Marie Martino and the fierce pressure around the ball off Jo Miller.

Woodville-West Torrens spent the next quarter and a bit building a lead, though missing chances as they booted 1.4 to extend the advantage out to 17 points with just 17 minutes on the clock. Incredibly, after kicking just one goal for the match, Glenelg threw caution to the wind with Miller, Jorja Eldridge and Eloise Mackereth all kicking goals and in the space of 10 minutes, the Bays had hit the front. The Eagles tried to regain the momentum back, but could only muster a couple of behinds, leaving the visitors in front at the final siren by a single point.

It was an incredible performance from the Eagles midfield who dominated the clearances by 18 (38-20) and hitouts by 26 (48-22), but the Bays stood up when it counted. Martino (26 disposals, nine marks – four contested – nine tackles, two clearances, two inside 50s and four rebound 50s) was a rock in defence, while Miller racked up five clearances from 25 touches and laid 13 tackles. Violet Patterson and skipper Samantha Franson also impressed in the win.

For the Eagles, Marlie Fiegert amassed a whopping 10 clearances from 21 touches and eight tackles, sharing the load with Lucy Moore (12 disposals, six tackles and six clearances) and Grace Martin (12 disposals, five tackles and three clearances). Captain Annie Falkenberg was important in defence.

WWT EAGLES 2.1 | 2.2 | 3.4 | 3.8 (26)
GLENELG 0.0 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 4.3 (27)

GOALS:
WWT Eagles: B. Walling, G. Martin, A. Forbes
Glenelg: J. Eldridge, E. Mackereth, J. Miller, M. Wilmore

RMC BEST:
WWT Eagles: M. Fiegert, A. Falkenberg. L. Moore, G. Martin, B. Walling
Glenelg: M. Martino, J. Miller V. Patterson, S. Franson, T. Morris

Double Blues double down in big win

Sturt finished its season on a high with a 37-point win over North Adelaide at Unley Oval. The home side needed a big win to overtake West Adelaide on percentage which it did, but also needed the Bloods to beat the Redlegs to make finals which did not happen. Instead, Sturt’s season came to a close but ended with a bang, booting four goals in each half to secure a comfortable 8.5 (53) to 2.4 (16) victory.

Top-age talent India Rasheed had a day out for Sturt, racking up 29 disposals, eight marks, five tackles, five clearances, seven inside 50s and booted two goals in a huge performance. She was well supported by Alisha Gepp (23 disposals, 11 tackles and seven clearances) and Isobel Kuiper (21 disposals, seven tackles and five clearances) in the midfield. Amy Brooks-Birve and Georgia King also kicked a couple of majors and Monique Bessen was lively.

North Adelaide youngster Laela Ebert (22 disposals, three marks, three inside 50s and two rebound 50s) returned strongly for the Roosters, while Lauren Gauci (19 disposals, six marks – one contested – six tackles and two clearances) and Djimila Totham (15 disposals, five tackles and five clearances) also worked hard. Though the ruck, Amber Ward had 20 hitouts and also kicked a goal.

STURT 3.1 | 4.4 | 6.4 | 8.5 (53)
NORTH ADELAIDE 0.0 | 1.0 | 2.1 | 2.4 (16)

GOALS:
Sturt: A. Brooks-Birve 2, G. King 2, I. Rasheed 2, K. Harris, J. Wittervan
North Adelaide: K. Harvey, A. Ward

RMC BEST:
Sturt: I. Rasheed, I. Geep. I. Kuiper, M. Bessen, G. Swan
North Adelaide: L. Ebert, L. Gauci, D. Totham, J. Edwards, A. Ward

Panthers send ominous message to competition

After a dominant past few weeks, South Adelaide sent yet another ominous message to the SANFLW competition, defeating Central District by 26 points and denying the reigning premiers a double chance. The game was neck-and-neck early, but the Panthers ended up kicking away through the middle two quarters with five goals to one until the final siren for a 6.6 (42) to 2.4 (16) win.

South Adelaide had even contributions across the board, though it was four goals off the boot of Emily Brockhurst that stood out. After Katelyn Rosenzweig kicked a goal in the first term, Brockhurst needed four majors to level her opponent. With the Panthers defence doing well on Rosenzweig, Brockhurst stepped up to kick all four after quarter time, including one in the last 10 minutes, to also have 13 disposals, four marks and five inside 50s.

Nikki Nield (19 disposals, nine tackles, two clearances and two inside 50s) and Jordann Hickey (16 disposals, five marks, four tackles, three clearances and two inside 50s) led from the front. Ruck Soriah Moon (12 disposals, 23 hitouts and eight clearances) was crucial, while Jaslynne Smith was strong in defence.

For the Bulldogs, Caitlen Teague tried hard all game in the midfield collecting 17 disposals, two marks, nine tackles, five clearances and two inside 50s, while skipper Shelby Smith and Jovanka Zecevic were also prominent. In defence, Charlotte Riggs and Madison Lane provided drive in defeat.

CENTRAL DISTRICT 1.0 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 2.4 (16)
SOUTH ADELAIDE 1.3 | 3.4 | 5.6 | 6.6 (42)

GOALS:
Central District: T. Lord, K. Rosenzweig
South Adelaide: E. Brockhurst, L. Northcott, D. Hansen

RMC BEST:
Central District: C. Teague, C. Riggs, S. Smith, J. Zecevic, D. Williams
South Adelaide: E. Brockhurst, J. Hickey, N. Nield, S. Moon, J. Smith