Eagles soar into decider after rapid Redlegs reversal
WOODVILLE-WEST Torrens has turned the tables on Norwood in the most emphatic fashion, booking a second straight SANFLW Grand Final berth with a hard-fought 9.8 (62) to 7.5 (47) semi-final victory at Revo Fitness Oval.
Nine days after Norwood inflicted a 38-point Round 14 defeat on the minor premiers, the Eagles flipped the script when it mattered most. The Redlegs had won both prior meetings in 2026 and arrived after a 12.13 (85) to 7.5 (47) victory, but Woodville-West Torrens took control from the opening bounce and withstood every late charge to earn the week off.
Norwood struck first through Amy Gaedtke, but the response was immediate and decisive. Klaudia O’Neill answered, Julia Faulkner punished a turnover on the run, and Ruby Lynch converted after a strong pack mark before O’Neill added her second. By quarter-time, the Eagles had kicked four consecutive goals to lead by 21 points.
It was a first term that revealed the clearest difference from the sides’ previous meeting. WWT won the inside-50 count 15-7 in the opening quarter to be dominating field position. The Eagles added an early second-term goal through Lucy Moore before Norwood began to hit back. They kicked four consecutive goals starting with Amelia Rusden stemming the flow before the main break, but the 22-point half-time buffer reflected the home side’s command around the ball.
he Redlegs lifted spectacularly after half-time, with Elke Cameron, Nicola Burns and Kate Alexander helping reduce a 22-point deficit to four. Ruby Matthews broke the run of goals, only for Burns to respond, before Matthews found her second to restore the Eagles’ 10-point advantage at the last change.
The final term was the ultimate test of WWT’s response. Ashley Baker goaled in her 50th SANFLW match to cut the margin to two points, but the Eagles again found an answer. Anika Tran snapped a crucial goal before Brianna Walling sealed the result from the boundary, ensuring the Eagles would return to the promised land.
At the heart of the turnaround was Moore, who produced 23 disposals, 10 clearances, eight tackles, five inside 50s and a goal. Her work at the contest was well supported by Faulkner’s 26 disposals, six tackles, four clearances and goal, while Maia Freemantle added 21 disposals and seven clearances. Tahlita Buethke was composed with 24 disposals and five marks, while Leah Cutting provided the ruck platform with 30 hitouts.
Norwood captain Jade Halfpenny fought tirelessly with 18 disposals, eight tackles and eight clearances. Lani Cocks also had 18 disposals and seven tackles, while Mia Wood had 18 disposals and six marks, and Coby Morgan collected 17 disposals in defeat. The Redlegs now face North Adelaide in a preliminary final, while the Eagles have earned the direct path to the decider.
WOODVILLE-WEST TORRENS 4.4 | 5.6 | 7.6 | 9.8 (62)
NORWOOD 1.1 | 2.2 | 6.2 | 7.5 (47)
GOALS:
Woodville-West Torrens: K. O’Neill 2, R. Matthews 2, J. Faulkner, L. Moore, R. Lynch, A. Tran, B. Walling
Norwood: N. Burns 2, K. Alexander, A. Baker, E. Cameron, A. Gaedtke, A. Rusden
RMC BEST:
Woodville-West Torrens: L. Moore, J. Faulkner, T. Buethke, M. Freemantle, R. Lynch
Norwood: J. Halfpenny, L. Cocks, M. Wood, C. Morgan, E. Cameron
Eagles soar into decider after rapid Redlegs reversal
WOODVILLE-WEST Torrens has turned the tables on Norwood in the most emphatic fashion, booking a second straight SANFLW Grand Final berth with a hard-fought 9.8 (62) to 7.5 (47) semi-final victory at Revo Fitness Oval. Nine days after Norwood inflicted a 38-point Round 14 defeat on the minor premiers, the Eagles flipped the script when […]
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