A NEW-look Central District will grace the ovals of the SANFL Women’s this year, with “eight or so” changes to its best 21 following a mix of retirements and draftees last season. Coach Ben Hunt described the preseason as “really good” and though there are some key players out, expects others to stand up in their place.

“Obviously we’ll be probably eight or so changes to our starting 18, but we’ve had players that have been on our list for a few years who can now step up,” Hunt said. “We’ve brought some young ones in and found some talent from our local area, I feel like while we have some change, we still have quality people who can step up and rise to the challenge.”

The biggest of the retirements is skipper Shelby Smith, with the club stalwart and premiership captain hanging up the boots at the end of last season. As one of the most respected players and leaders in the competition, Smith left some big shoes to fill but Hunt was excited about the new co-captaincy between Laitiah Huynh and Georgia Madigan.

“They were both part of our leadership group for the last year or two,” Hunt said. “Shelby’s helped mentor them and Shelby’s a fantastic captain and people say it takes two to replace her, but I think Georgia and Laitiah work really well together.

“I think these days there’s a lot of demands on the captain, so being able to share the responsibility is something they were both open to. “The whole playing group had a vote and a say on who they thought and those two were clear standouts, and us coaches were really stoked to see that they the players are thinking along the same lines as us.

“I think they’ll lead really well. We actually didn’t do anything until post-Christmas regarding leadership, but those two stood out as well as a number of other girls stood out all throughout preseason so I’m excited to see what they can do and I’m sure they’ll stand up and be quality leaders just like Shelby was.”

While the preseason yielded two trial match losses, Hunt said there was plenty of learnings to take out and he was excited for Round 1 when the Bulldogs take on Glenelg. Though history between the sides leans heavily in favour of the Bays, Hunt said he was “comfortable” with where his side sat heading into the new year.

“Against Glenelg we’ve only beaten them once in the history of the club and that was last year so it’s going to be a real good challenge for us, but I’m really comfortable where we’re at and how we’ve been going about it,” he said. “It’s always a good hitout against Glenelg, they’ll be strong as always, so hopefully we can bring our best on that day.”

There was little doubt what the red, white and blue have set their sights on in 2025 – a return to finals football. While Hunt said the club would break up the year into sections thanks to coordinated byes, the ultimate goal was to return to the postseason series once again.

“For me we have to play finals footy again, but I suppose the old cliche one week at a time we’ll focus on, but I think the way the season’s panned out there’s three segments of four or five games,” he said. “I think we’ll just focus on each little third of the season, but finals footy is what our goal is, and has been my whole time there. “But again I think for us as a group, we just don’t want to make up numbers, we want to be pushing to play finals and once we’re in the finals, then push to make a grand final.”

BEN HUNT ON…

TOP-AGE STATE ACADEMY MEMBERS

Sophie Eaton

“Soph’s an elite ball user and when she gets the ball we know she’s either going to hit a target or kick a goal. She’s got great endurance, great fitness and I think she’s had a really big preseason. Obviously it’s her draft year so I think she’s looking at playing more around the ball, but also she’s also really damaging forward. She could play anywhere on the ground I think and excel, but for us we want her to have the ball in hand as much as possible and either delivering it to our forwards or kicking goals.”

Mikaylah Antony

“She’s another one who funnily enough started as a forward for us last year and when we had a discussion she said ‘oh I played back in netball’ and we moved her down back and hasn’t missed a beat since. Again she’s one whose had a big preseason and understands a defensive role more and the ability of running off that half-back line and giving us some drive. We’re really excited to have her down back and as the season progresses whether that may move into a wing role or wherever, but for now we’re happy for her down back.”

Ella Sergi

“Serge is good, she’s learning the game and she’s only young and then still understanding the game and works really hard on her skills, but had a really good preseason and keeps giving us plenty of drive when she plays in the Development League on-ball. We’ll keep monitoring her and watch her improve and make sure she understands the game. What the future holds, who knows? But she’s very coachable and wants to learn and wants to be better. That’s what we want as coaches and as a club. Hopefully she can play some state footy as well and go from there.”

OTHER YOUNG GUNS

Tara Lord

“Tara was an elite level softball player, her focus is now on footy and you can see that in her preseason. She’s done a lot of work away from our structured training and I think she’s ready to have a really big year.”

Miyu Endersby

“Miyu’s understanding the game and her role within the team and I thought in our trial it was scratchy early but as the game went on she got better and better and was able to take intercept marks and give us plenty of drive off that half-back line.”

Jyearah Newchurch

“Jyearah is new to our system, first year and she’s just getting adjusted to the demands of it, but is still playing some really good footy and look forward to seeing her development as well.”

MATURE-AGE PRESEASON PERFORMERS

“Holly Tralaggan is one who has come back after having a year off and I think she’s got a really good understanding of what’s required at this level and maturity now and in the trial last week she was solid and played her role really well and I think she’s had a bit of an interrupted preseason but has still been working really hard and I’m excited to see what she can deliver this year moving forward.

“We’ve got Dakota Williams up forward who I think will play a bit more on-ball too, so she’s an up-and-coming leader of our group and I think a big prospect to lead and be a senior player for a long time for our footy club.”