A GRAND Final spot is on the line in the penultimate match of the 2024 SANFL Women’s season. Glenelg, coming off a loss in the semi-finals, will utilise its double chance against an impressive Norwood team that denied Central District back-to-back premierships and will look to become the first team to win a flag from fourth spot.

FORM

Glenelg has looked shaky over the past month since being injury stricken, dropping from what looked to be a safe minor premiership, to only just sneaking into second spot with a narrow win over Eagles. The Bays drew with the Redlegs back in Round 10 which a thriller to remember. Since that game, Norwood dropped a couple of games it could have put away and secured finals without a doubt, but a last round win against West Adelaide, and then an inspirational come-from-behind victory over reigning premiers Central District has the Redlegs back in form.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Glenelg: 4
Norwood: 8
Draw: 1

The teams had their first draw of the season last time out in May 10, where the sides both scored 4.3 (27). A late rushed behind at their own scoring end by the Bays ensured the points were split, after Norwood had bravely hit the front trailing throughout the contest. As a whole, Norwood has had the upper hand, but the results had been split of late, with 3-3-1 in the past seven meetings. These sides met in the 2021 semi-final where Glenelg defeated Norwood to go on to win the flag that year.

TEAMS

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: Jorja Eldridge (28), Shay’Lee Dayman (4)
R: Alex Pearce (30), Jo Miller (32), Matilda Wilmore (19)
INT: Ash Dyer (1), Ellie Kellock (8), Eloise Mackereth (9), Jess Bates (29), Mel Hinge (17), Renee Wurfel (3), Alice Bradley (21), Poppy Scholz (20)

Norwood:

B: Sophie Arkun (43), Nicola Burns (23)
HB: Sarah Branford (9), Charli Hazelhurst (39), Charlotte Nenke (44)
C: Kiana Lee (28), Candice Belbin (26), Tahlita Buethke (1)
HF: Amelia Rusden (10), Shai Hiscock (13), Elle Lineage (50)
F: Jade Halfpenny (22), Adrienne Davies (8)
R: Rosie Boon (46), Stephanie Simmonds (17), Sophie Armitstead (36)
INT: Kate Alexander (61), Coby Morgan (2), Georgina Birchall (37), Lana Schwerdt (41), Emma Clark (7)

CHANGES

Glenelg has made an interesting change to its lineup, with just one move, being top-age young gun Poppy Scholz coming in for Jess Searle who broke her nose. Scholz was considered in doubt for the upcoming national championships match in a few weeks after seriously injuring her ankle, but has been named as part of an extended bench.

Norwood has also only made the one change with the side going a little smaller by bringing in midfielder Elle Lineage for ex-Glenelg forward Mykaela Walker. The Redlegs have plenty to celebrate in the match though with a triple 50-game celebration of Kiana Lee, Adrienne Davies and Lana Schwerdt.

AFLW DRAFT WATCH

Aside from Scholz who if she made the incredible recovery would be a fantastic in for the Bays, Violet Patterson has been consistent all year through the midfield. Matilda Wilmore adds the forward pressure for the Bays, with fellow bottom-ager Eloise Mackereth and exciting target inside 50. Last week Georgie Fielder was among the best playing off half-back too.

For the Redlegs, wing Coby Morgan stepped up to be a standout on the outside and kick a crucial goal. Defender Charli Hazelhurst and ruck Kate Alexander are future names to remember who play key roles each week.

STATS THAT MATTER

Norwood has been a well balanced side this year, ranking third for points for (35.8) and second for points conceded (26.9). However it will be fascinating to see how the sides match up given Norwood concedes the least amount of inside 50s (23.6), while Glenelg has the most inside 50s in the competition (29.8). The Bays are also the number one tackling and clearance team in the competition, while Norwood leads the league in handballs as they look to move the ball quickly down the ground in chains.

PREDICTION

Norwood’s form stacks up against the very best sides and the feeling is they can be the one side to really push South Adelaide having beaten the Panthers twice this year. Glenelg will not make it easy and do match up well against the Redlegs, but there is a carrot of a home grand final against the Panthers next week hanging there too.