STURT remains a mathematical chance for SANFL Women’s finals after a vital two-point win over West Adelaide in Round 12 on Saturday. The Double Blues needed the two points as well as Norwood to lose – which happened – in order to remain in finals contention, and now the 2022 grand finalists and 2023 finalists have their fate more in their control with a clash against the Redlegs this weekend.

In a match that the Double Blues led for the most part, it was a tight low-scoring clash that saw the home side lead bby four points at the first break and seven at half-time before five consecutive behinds in the third term threatened to become costly. In an incredible last quarter, the scoring opened up and six goals were kicked – four to the Bloods – with Sturt holding on, 5.10 (40) to 6.2 (38).

A goal in the 19th minute to Iilish Ross cut the deficit to just one point for West Adelaide, and it looked like the Bloods could snatch a win. Instead Sturt managed to play out the minutes, with a behind to Georgia Swan being the last score of the game. A win meant the Double Blues could be alive for now, but when Norwood lost the next day, it was the perfect storm.

Sturt had 23 less disposals and seven less clearances, but dominated field position with. massive 33 inside 50s to 17. Both teams scored at almost 50 per cent efficiency from inside 50s, showing the side’s ability to convert forward forays into chances.

Leading the way was Sturt’s inside brigade of India Rasheed and Isobel Kuiper who combined for 40 disposals, 23 tackles and 14 clearances in the match, while the returning Monique Bessen was also busy. Alisha Gepp and Claudia Edmonds continued their great form, as Jasmin Fejo was influential through the ruck with 32 hitouts.

Back to her brutal best, Zoe Venning starred racking up 28 disposals, three marks – one contested – 12 tackles, eight clearances, three inside 50s and three rebound 50s in the loss. Top-agers Lucy Boyd and Asha Dufour were prominent, as skipper Madison Russell rebounded from defence, and Ross was outstanding around the ball.

STURT 2.0 | 3.3 | 3.8 | 5.10 (40)
WEST ADELAIDE 1.2 | 2.2 | 2.2 | 6.2 (38)

GOALS:
Sturt: M. Bessen, A. Brooks-Birve, A. Gepp, G. King, S. Ross
West Adelaide: N. Hooper, T. Huxtable, J. Macolino, M. Peterson, I. Ross, L. Waye

RMC BEST:
Sturt: I. Rasheed, I. Kuiper, A. Gepp, M. Bessen C. Edmonds
West Adelaide: Z. Venning, I. Ross, M. Russell, L. Boyd, A. Dufour

Dogs fourth quarter demolition banishes Bays

An incredible seven-goal fourth quarter saw Central District storm past ladder leaders Glenelg and put the Bulldogs within reach of a top two spot heading into the final fortnight. The Bulldogs and Tigers were level at the final break after Glenelg kicked the opening two goals of the match and led at the first two changes, but the visitors soon took control and never looked back.

In an ominous sign for the rest of the competition, Central District kicked 7.5 (47) to 0.1 (1) in the last quarter to run away with a massive 46-point win at Stratarama Stadium. Glenelg incredibly still won the clearances (33-30), but Central District took control of the inside 50s – largely due to the last quarter – with a 33-26 advantage.

It was a goal fest for the Dogs, with leading goalkicker Katelyn Rosenzweig slamming home four goals from 21 disposals, eight marks – two contested – and five inside 50s, while Jasmine Evans was back to her best with 15 touches and three goals. Fellow AFLW Academy member Georgia McKee returned to her deep forward role, kicking 2.1 from three disposals. Shelby Smith (27 disposals, 10 clearances) was unstoppable around the ball, while Caitlen Teague and Charlotte Riggs were also among the best.

Retuning top-age young gun Violet Patterson played a key role in the Bays’ loss, racking up 22 disposals, four marks, 12 tackles, five clearances and four inside 50s. She supported the ball-winning duo of Jessica Bates and Jo Miller who recorded nine clearances apiece, as well as combining for 24 tackles and 49 disposals.

GLENELG 2.3 | 2.6 | 3.7 | 3.8 (26)
CENTRAL DISTRICT 0.1 | 1.1 | 4.1 | 11.6 (72)

GOALS:
Glenelg: S. Franson, J. Horne, J. Searle
Central District: K. Rosenzweig 4, J. Evans 3, G. McKee 2, T. Borgas, L. Breguet

RMC BEST:
Glenelg: V. Patterson. J. Miller, J. Bates, M. Martino, T. Morris
Central District: K. Rosenzweig, S. Smith, J. Evans, C. Teague, C. Riggs

South storms to massive win

South Adelaide snatched top spot on the SANFL Women’s ladder for the first time in 2024 with the reigning minor premiers taking full advantage of Glenelg losing to the Bulldogs. The Panthers had a fight on their hands early against last placed North Adelaide – who had won its past two matches – but broke open the game in the second half with a rare offensive assault, as the league’s best defensive side slammed home eight goals to two in the 10.6 (66) to 2.3 (15) victory.

It was a dominant day for the Panthers who had 62 more disposals (288-226), 19 more marks (63-44), 23 more hitouts (48-25), 17 more clearances (37-20) and 13 more inside 50s (33-20), while incredibly still laying five more tackles (74-69).

Sharpshooter Emily Brockhurst was at her brutal best, booting 4.3 from 17 disposals, six marks – one contested – four tackles, three hitouts and two inside 50s. She was well supported by Lucy Northcott (13 disposals, two goals), as the midfield also dominated. Ruck Soriah Moon was right up there with Brockhurst in the best-on votes, accumulating 33 hitouts and 10 clearances from 21 touches, while midfielders Nikki Nield and Jordann Hickey were prolific and defender Esther Schirmer was outstanding.

It was a tough day out for North Adelaide, though Ella Quinn had an equal game-high 10 clearances to go with her 20 touches and seven tackles, as Aprille Crooks (14 disposals, six tackles, three clearances and a goal) was busy alongside Lauren Gauci (16 disposals, three marks and three tackles) and Sasha Hardin (18 disposals, our marks and six tackles). Sarah Steele-Park tried hard in defence with 14 touches, three marks, five tackles and four rebound 50s.

NORTH ADELAIDE 0.1 | 0.2 | 1.2 | 2.3 (15)
SOUTH ADELAIDE 1.0 | 2.2 | 6.6 | 10.6 (66)

GOALS:
North Adelaide: A. Crooks, L. Hoffman
South Adelaide: E. Brockhurst 4, L. Northcott 2, M. Anderson, J. Hickey. S. Archbold, E. Charlton

RMC BEST:
North Adelaide: E. Quinn, A. Crooks, S. Steele-Park, L. Gauci, S. Hardin
South Adelaide: E. Brockhurst, S. Moon, E. Schirmer, N. Nield, J. Hickey