GLENELG and South Adelaide occupy the top two spots on the SANFL Women’s ladder, and shared 10 players in this week’s Team of the Week. The sides asserted their control at different points, and ended up with two more representatives than other winners Sturt and West Adelaide, while the remaining four teams finished with two representatives each.

This week’s captain is South Adelaide’s Jordann Hickey who was a clear best on ground in the Panthers’ win over Central District, collecting 23 disposals, five marks – two contested – three tackles, nine clearances, two inside 50s and two rebound 50s. Her vice-captain for his round is fellow midfielder, Jo Miller who starred for the Bays with 29 disposals, five marks – one contested – nine tackles, four clearances, four inside 50s and four rebound 50s.

The Panthers were dangerous in attack and complete the entire full-forward line of the squad. Competition leading goalkicker Emily Brockhurst kicked three goals in the win, while Litonya Cockatoo-Motlap and Mel Anderson each booted a major and were threatening throughout pushing up the ground. Tenacious midfielder Nikki Nield made it onto the bench to complete the side.

For Glenelg, regular suspects Jess Bates and Violet Patterson made it, with Patterson pushed out to a wing despite spending a lot of time on the inside just purely due to the strength of the on-ball group. The pair both had some eye-catching moments, while defender Poppy Scholz intercepted plenty in the back 50.

Another State Academy member named in defence is top-ager Lucy Boyd who even got forward to kick a goal for the Bloods. She made the team alongside West Adelaide midfielder Hannah Button – who booted her side’s go-ahead goal late in the game – and winger Bec Hansen.

Sturt had yet another even team performance, with three players making the side. Midfielder/forward India Rasheed slotted into half-forward in a quiet week for forwards, while captain Kate Harris and fellow midfielder Alisha Gepp were added representation for the Double Blues.

Reigning premiers Central District finished with the two players this week. Winger Laitiah Huynh was the best player in her position across the ground, while skipper Shelby Smith was her usual industrious self in midfield, and the Dogs’ best across four quarters.

Woodville-West Torrens fought hard against the Bays, with defender Christina Leuzzi and ruck Leah Cutting two of the standouts for the side. Norwood had Tahlita Buethke and Jade Halfpenny at half-back and centre half-forward respectively, while North Adelaide duo Kristi Harvey and Aprille Crooks slotted into the defence.

Once again picking just three emergencies was a challenge, but in the end the three chosen were South Adelaide’s Caitlin Couch, North Adelaide’s Lauren Gauci and Eagles’ Grace Martin.

2024 SANFL WOMEN’S ROUND 7 TEAM OF THE WEEK:

B: Christina Leuzzi (WWT Eagles) – Kristi Harvey (North Adelaide) – Lucy Boyd (West Adelaide)
HB: Tahlita Buethke (Norwood) – Poppy Scholz (Glenelg) – Aprille Crooks (North Adelaide)
C: Laitiah Huynh (Central District) – Jess Bates (Glenelg) – Violet Patterson (Glenelg)
HF: India Rasheed (Sturt) – Jade Halfpenny (Norwood) – Hannah Button (West Adelaide)
F: Litonya Cockatoo-Motlap (South Adelaide) – Emily Brockhurst (South Adelaide) – Mel Anderson (South Adelaide)
R: Leah Cutting (WWT Eagles) – Jordann Hickey (South Adelaide) (c) – Jo Miller (Glenelg) (vc)
INT: Alisha Gepp (Sturt) – Bec Hansen (West Adelaide) – Kate Harris (Sturt) – Marie Martino (Glenelg) – Nikki Nield (South Adelaide) – Shelby Smith (Central District)

EMG: Caitlin Couch (South Adelaide) – Lauren Gauci (North Adelaide) – Grace Martin (WWT Eagles)