TWO matches kick off a brand new season of SANFL Women’s football tonight with reigning premiers Central District travelling to The Parade to take on Norwood, while grand finalists South Adelaide will face off against West Adelaide at Thebarton Oval. Both matches take place at 7:40pm local time tonight.

Last Season

Central District defeated Norwood twice during the season, the last being the preliminary final en route to its maiden flag. The Redlegs exited the finals series at that stage, having knocked out Sturt in the first week of the post-season series.

Head-to-Head

Norwood (5) – Central District (3)

Prior to last season, the Redlegs had won five of their first six encounters with the Bulldogs, including Round 10 in 2021, which was the only time these two sides have previously played at Coopers Stadium.

Teams

Norwood:

B: Emily Bartsch (27), Charlotte Nenke (44)
HB: Emma Daley (55), Charli Hazelhurst (39), Najwa Allen (66)
C: Coby Morgan (2), Kate Alexander (61), Tahlita Buethke (1)
HF: Jade Halfpenny (22), Shai Hiscock (13), Amelia Rusden (10)
F: Adrienne Davies (8), Stephanie Simmonds (17)
R: Sachi Syme (4), Elle Lineage (50), Sarah Branford (9)
INT: Nicola Burns (23), Kiana Lee (28), Candice Belbin (26, Lana Schwerdt (41), Emma Clark (7)

Central District:

B: Madison Lane (40), Georgia Madigan (7)
HB: Lauren Breguet (28), Miyu Endersby (3), Jovanka Zecevic (23)
C: Kasey Wendland (48), Shelby Smith (1), Jasmine Evans (27)
HF: Caitlen Teague (18), Liz Wilson (14), Julia Teakle (6)
F: Olivia Levicki (13), Katelyn Rosenzweig (2)
R: Charlotte Riggs (9), Sophie Eaton (12), Caitlin Wendland (42)
INT: Dakota Williams (38), Tiarna Grovermann (45), Shelby Raven (36), Tess Gerhardy (33), Karissa Searle (22), Demi Sonneman (20), Tara Lord (31), Kyesha Christensen (25)

New Faces

Both sides will unveil three debutants in the game, with none of the half-dozen players boasting SANFL Women’s experience previously. Norwood added to its inside midfield by recruiting Tasmanian onballer Candice Belbin, as well as ex-Pioneer Emma Daley coming across from Victoria to play off half-back. There are big wraps on 2008-born Kate Alexander with the double bottom-ager named in the centre.

Central District love the looks of versatile talents Miyu Endersby and Tara Lord. Endersby is an early chance as South Australia’s top players for the 2026 AFLW Draft, while Lord is also a high-level softballer. Both provide size and stature, as does the third debutant up the other end of the age scale in 35-year-old Liz Wilson. The dominant Willaston goalkicker has wasted no time finding her feet at the next level, named at centre half-forward in a very contested marking front half.

Key Matchup

Tahlita Buethke (Norwood) vs. Jasmine Evans (Central District)

Both named on the wing and are more than capable of covering plenty of ground, the one who can get the game on their terms will likely control the outside game. Buethke is coming off a club best and fairest season last year, while Evans bolted up draft boards from this year following a memorable debut year at SANFLW level, and is among the top South Australian draft prospects in 2024.

Development Watch

It goes to show the depth the Redlegs have when former league leading goalkicker Alana Lishmund and experienced defender Jiarna Zerella have been named in the Development League. State Academy member Georgina Birchall is another one named in the side. For Central District, recruits Letisha Ackland (North Adelaide) and Neave Delaney (Woodville-West Torrens) will fight for a senior spot via the second side.

Prediction

Expect this to fall in line with last year’s matches between the pair, with the game going down to the wire. Norwood at home on a Friday night have been here and done it before and would love to take a big scalp against the reigning premiers, while Central District is still building its form after a couple of scratchy practice matches.

Last Season

South Adelaide won the minor premiership for the 2023 season, and went on to defeat Central District for an automatic path into the grand final. Unfortunately on the big day the Panthers fell short by a goal in an unforgettable game. For West Adelaide though, most of the season could be quickly forgotten not due to lack of talent, but plethora of injuries making it incredibly hard and seeing the Bloods receive the wooden spoon.

Head-to-Head

West Adelaide (3) – South Adelaide (10)

All three of West Adelaide’s victories over South Adelaide came in 2021, the year the Bloods roared to the grand final. Prior to that, the Panthers had won the first seven clashes between the sides, and have also won the past three, not losing since the 2021 semi-final.

Teams

West Adelaide:

B: Tiana Fernandez (20), Jess Chyer (18)
HB: Brooke Smith (12), Madi Russell (1), Lucy Boyd (2)
C: Emma Kilpatrick (27), Keeley Kustermann (8), Paige Allan (35)
HF: Ruby Ballard (22), Nicole Hooper (11), Lauren Young (30)
F: Ella Maxwell (29), Chloe Tonkin (14)
R: Jemma Ellis (19), Zoe Venning (9), Hannah Button (7)
INT: Tess Huxtable (25), Asha Dufour (15), Emily Mableson (44), Georgie Pater (26), Olivia Smith (6)

South Adelaide:

B: Jaslynne Smith (35), Esther Schirmer (23)
HB: Bonnie Dodds (40), Tiffany King (14), Litonya Cockatoo-Motlap (15)
C: Laquoiya Cockatoo-Motlap (11), Chelsea Farr (21), Morgan Johnston (1)
HF: Layla Vizgaudis (20), Lily Baxter (56), Emily Brockhurst (13)
F: Jordann Hickey (4), Mel Anderson (6)
R: Jacinda Schunselaar (30), Brooke Boileau (37), Nikki Nield (2)
INT: Soriah Moon (32), Bri Cleggett (27), Rania Shelford (43), Caitlin Radbone (34), Sarah Wright (5), Sam Pratt (22),  Zoe Flesfadar (29), Carly Milsom (45)

New Faces

West Adelaide has thrown ex-Panther Jemma Ellis straight in the deep end, naming their recruit as starting ruck to go up against her former side. Ellis only managed the one game last season, so will be keen for some continuity in the side. Adelaide AFLW recruit Brooke Smith has been named off half-back, while Emily Mableson is set to become the first 2008-born player to represent the Bloods.

For South Adelaide, ex-Dog Bonnie Dodds has made heads turn over the off-season as the defender has forced more experienced players out of the side as she prepares for her first SANFLW game. Also set to make their debut at the level is 2008-born young gun Layla Vizgaudis who caught the eye at the Under 16s Championships last year. Experienced pair Morgan Johnston (Norwood) and Chelsea Farr (North Adelaide) only further strengthen the squad

Key Matchup

Lauren Young (West Adelaide) vs. Esther Schirmer (South Adelaide)

These two went head-to-head last season in a thrilling battle, and while coach Rick Watts conceded Young still had an impact with 23 touches, he was pleased with how Schirmer dealt with the one-on-ones. Expect the top-age State Academy member to get another crack at the Port Adelaide AFLW recruit in that will be a crucial contest.

Development Watch

Both sides have some very nice depth building across the board with Milli Gentle – who played all 12 SANFLW matches in her debut season for West Adelaide – among those in the earlier game. Grace McNicol (10 games) will also run out for the Development squad. Reigning premiers South Adelaide boasts some names who would be consistent League level players at most clubs such as forward Jess Kirk, utilities Lucy Northcott and Lauren Clifton, and defender Charlotte Dolan. The big watch is on top-ager Shae Archbold who makes her return from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury via the Development League.

Prediction

Both these teams have some serious star power, but when it comes to depth, South is one of the league leaders in that regard. Winning the Development League flag and reaching the League grand final last season showed how much depth they have, and they should be favourites in the game. It will come down to whether the Panthers can quell the Bloods’ stars.