A DECISIVE break between the top three teams and the rest of the SANFL Women’s competition has formed after Woodville-West Torrens, South Adelaide and North Adelaide all posted wins in Round 8 of the competition. We review the three games and some of the standouts from the matches.

>> SANFLW Round 8 MOTR: Field of Dreams for Bays to break drought in milestone match

OTHER ROUND 8 RESULTS:

North Adelaide handed its western rivals a sixth straight loss with a comprehensive defensive performance to win by five goals at Prospect Oval. The Roosters kept the Bloods to just four behinds in the match, and while at times it was a dour struggle between the arcs, the home side kicked away when having the advantage and booted four of its five goals in the second and fourth terms.

Djimila Totham was outstanding for the home side, providing run through the middle and laying eight tackles, as well as sharing in team-highs of 19 disposals and four clearances. Her experienced midfield partner Julia Clark recorded the same numbers and also kicked a goal, while the run of Laela Ebert and Bailey Murray from the back half was important. Up the other end, Polly Turner made the most of her chances with two goals from five touches.

For West Adelaide, Emily Mableson and Hannah Button combined for 24 tackles in a staunch defensive effort, while top-age talent Lucy Waye worked hard all game and produced five clearances from her 11 disposals. Unsurprisingly the top West Adelaide ball-winner was Zoe Venning who notched up 18 disposals, six tackles and six clearances in a tough day out of the side.

North Adelaide has a massive opportunity to eye off further securing a finals spot when it takes on fourth placed Sturt at Unley next weekend, while West Adelaide now holds the current longest consecutive losses streak this season after Glenelg won on the weekend, so it is a must-win against the Bays on Saturday evening.

NORTH ADELAIDE 1.0 | 3.2 | 3.2 | 5.4 (34)
WEST ADELAIDE 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.4 (4)

GOALS:
North Adelaide: P. Turner 2, A. Crooks, J. Clark, Z. Molloy
West Adelaide: Nil.

RMC BEST:
North Adelaide: D. Totham, J. Clark, J. Parish, L. Ebert, B. Murray
West Adelaide: E. Mableson, L. Waye, Z. Venning, H. Button, M. Russell

In yet another match where the losing side failed to kick a goal, Woodville-West Torrens stormed to victory by 50 points to make it eight on the trot and eliminate any doubt of a maiden finals campaign. The Eagles had to overcome a first half struggle before piling on five goals in the third term to blow the game wide open. A late goal in the fourth pushed it out to a half century margin.

It all started with Leah Cutting in the ruck who had 24 disposals, three marks, 44 hitouts, six tackles, seven clearances, five inside 50s and two rebound 50s, teaming up well with those at her feet including Christina Leuzzi and Marlie Fiegert who combined for 47 disposals, 15 tackles, 11 clearances, nine inside 50s and seven rebound 50s. Imogen Trengove kicked 2.2 up forward, while in defence, Zahlia Niemann clunked six marks from 16 disposals and five rebound 50s.

The experience of Jade Halfpenny (21 disposals, four marks, seven tackles and nine clearances) was a shining light for the Redlegs in defeat, while Kiana Lee (14 disposals, seven marks – three contested – and five inside 50s) was outstanding other than her finishing of three behinds. Ashlee Gould and Charlee Brooksby were also among the better players, providing run behind the ball as the latter also spent time on the wing.

Norwood takes on Central District in Round 9 for what is really a virtual elimination final despite the time left in the season, while Woodville-West Torrens meets its biggest challenge yet, taking on South Adelaide in a top of the table clash.

NORWOOD 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.7 (7)
WWT EAGLES 1.4 | 2.5 | 7.7 | 8.9 (57)

GOALS:
Norwood: Nil.
WWT Eagles: I. Trengove 2, R. Zerella 2, M. Dowrick, C. Leuzzi, K. O’Neill, S. Zuill

RMC BEST:
Norwood: J. Halfpenny, K. Lee, A. Gould, C. Brooksby, S. Hiscock
WWT Eagles: L. Cutting, C. Leuzzi, I. Trengove, Z. Niemann, M. Fiegert

A five goals to nil first half set the tone for South Adelaide’s 43-point win over Sturt at Strathalbyn on the weekend, setting up a tantalising top of the table clash with the Eagles next weekend. The Panthers put the Double Blues to the sword in the period, and while Sturt did kick three of the next four goals to cut the deficit back to 22 points in the opening minute of the fourth term, South Adelaide steadied to slot the last three goals and run out comfortable victors.

Bottom-age trio Taya Maxwell, Layla Vizgaudis and Emma Charlton were again outstanding with Maxwell having a starring role in the Panthers’ first half procession, while Vizgaudis booted her first three SANFLW goals and Charlton was consistent throughout the four quarters. Soriah Moon lead the way through the ruck teaming up with Maxwell effectively, while Doreena Hansen (three goals) punished the Double Blues’ defence.

For a second straight week, Monique Bessen had a terrific four-quarter performance, finishing with 24 disposals, seven clearances, six tackles and five inside 50s, while Isobel Kuiper overcame a quiet first term to record a match-high 28 disposals and 12 tackles, as well as six clearances and five rebound 50s. Isabella Drew and Gypsy Schirmer tried hard in defence.

While the Panthers have a blockbuster battle with the Eagles on Saturday, Sturt hosts North Adelaide in an equally crucial clash around the same time at Unley.

SOUTH ADELAIDE 2.3 | 5.5 | 6.5 | 9.9 (63)
STURT 0.0 | 0.1 | 2.1 | 3.2 (20)

GOALS:
South Adelaide: D. Hansen 3, L. Vizgaudis 3, M. Anderson, T. Maxwell, S. Archbold
Sturt: M. McCarthy, S. Reynolds, Z. Walsh

RMC BEST:
South Adelaide: T. Maxwell, L. Vizgaudis, D. Hansen, S. Moon, E. Charlton
Sturt: M. Bessen, I. Kuiper, I. Drew, G. Schirmer, L. Smart