MINOR premiers South Adelaide face the side that led the lead for the majority of 2024 in Glenelg as the pair meet tomorrow for a spot in this year’s SANFL Women’s Grand Final. We preview the clash, with the Central District and Norwood preview to come tonight.

FORM

South Adelaide won its second consecutive minor premiership after rolling past then second placed Central District, as week after beating the side it now faces for a spot in the grand final, Glenelg. South Adelaide is the form team of the competition, and since its forgettable loss to Norwood in Round 8, has strung six wins on the bounce, after winning five consecutive games prior to that defeat as well. Glenelg on the other hand has looked shaky at times, with one win – one-point victory over Eagles last week – and a draw amongst three losses in its past five games.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

South Adelaide: 9
Glenelg: 5

South Adelaide has won the past four matches against the Bays, including both games this year by a combined 76 points. The nine-goal victory over the then top of the table Glenelg just a fortnight ago was dominant, but the Bays were also missing a host of key players. Prior to the last two seasons, Glenelg had won four consecutive matches themselves including the first finals appearance against the Panthers.

TEAMS

South Adelaide:

B: Tiffany King (14), Jaslynne Smith (35)
HB: Sam Pratt (22), Esther Schirmer (23), Carly Milsom (45)
C: Laquoiya Cockatoo-Motlap (11), Mel Anderson (6), Emma Charlton (25)
HF: Lily Baxter (56), Lucy Northcott (12), Emily Brockhurst (13)
F: Jordann Hickey (4), Doreena Hansen (26)
R: Soriah Moon (32), Caitlin Couch (10), Nikki Nield (2)
INT: Taya Maxwell (19), Lauren Clifton (41), Shae Archbold (17), Charlotte Dolan (28), Layla Vizgaudis (20), Litonya Cockatoo-Motlap (15), Morgan Johnston (1), Sarah Wright (5)

Glenelg:

B: Lauren Edwards (34), Alex Walker (24)
HB: Ellen Tyminski (18), Marie Martino (15), Tamsyn Morriss (12)
C: Madi Freeman (2), Violet Patterson (6), Georgie Fielder (59)
HF: Sam Franson (5), Jordan Horne (11), Grace Duffy (10)
F: Jess Searle (23), Shay’Lee Dayman (4)
R: Alex Pearce (30), Jo Miller (32), Matilda Wilmore (19)
INT: Ash Dyer (1), Ellie Kellock (8), Jorja Eldridge (28), Jess Bates (29), Eloise Mackereth (9)

CHANGES

Glenelg has brought back a couple of huge inclusions for the clash, with star ball-winner and league best and fairest favourite Jessica Bates, and premiership skipper Ellie Kellock both inclusions for the team. The couple to make way and drop back as emergencies are Mel Hinge and Renee Wurfel.

South Adelaide has kept its squad with an extended three players, as defender Tiffany King returns to the side, along with twins Laquoiya and Litonya Cockatoo-Motlap who add extra AFLW experience to the Panthers.

AFLW DRAFT WATCH

South Adelaide defender Esther Schirmer continues to have an impressive SANFLW season for the Panthers, while Emily Brockhurst shared the leading goalkicker award in 2024 rewarding her consistent efforts. Lily Baxter, Layla Vizgaudis and Emma Charlton all add some flair and run to the team, while Shae Archbold and Taya Maxwell are tall marking options.

Prospective Collingwood father-daughter Violet Patterson is one to watch from the yellow and black, while Matilda Wilmore applies plenty of forward half pressure, and Eloise Mackereth is a threat in front of goals. Under 16s young gun Georgie Fielder has provided some highlights since coming into the team playing off a wing and pushing forward.

STATS THAT MATTER

South finished the season as the second highest scoring team, and easily best defensive side with 39.4 points for, and 20.6 points against. Glenelg ranked fifth in both categories, recording 34.7 and 34.2 respectively. However the Bays are the number one tackling and clearance team in the competition, with figures of 85.8 and 28.8 respectively, while South ranks third and fourth in those regards.

PREDICTION

South Adelaide’s form is sensational to say the least, and barring another ‘off’ game like the one to Norwood, it is difficult to see the Panthers losing. They are flag favourites for a reason, though the Bays welcoming back both Bates and Kellock will give the midfield some extra punch and provide much needed experience around the ball..