IT IS just two sleeps until the 2025 SANFL Women’s season kicks off with some huge matchups planned for Round 1. However before the teams play for official premiership points, we take a look at some names that have changed clubs or returned to teams over the off-season.
Central District:
The Bulldogs fell short of defending their 2023 premiership flag, but still reached the SANFLW postseason with an elimination final exit to Norwood. Their biggest recruit over the off-season actually came from the Redlegs in the form of past best and fairest winner, Tesharna Maher. She adds some serious speed to the front half of the ground, while Sturt goalsneak Alysha Healy is another top recruit given her class in the forward half. Both will provide cover for the likes of drafted pair Jasmine Evans and Georgia McKee.
Glenelg:
After a straight sets exit last season, new coach Talia Radan and her recruiting team have worked hard to replace some important best 21 players who have departed via the draft or interstate. West Adelaide ball magnet Asha Dufour and experienced midfielder/defender Ella Quinn will add immediate impact to the club, while Eagles towering duo Astrid Gooley and Brooklyn Kraft provide much needed depth in key positions. Kaitey Whittaker and Cassie McWilliam add height inside 50, with the latter coming off another big NTFLW season.
North Adelaide:
The Roosters will look to returning faces and juniors more than anything else, with former co-captain Erin Sundstrom hoping for a bit of luck back from injury, but is a quality player. Fellow former Rooster Sky Jensen can provide a target up the other end, while ex-Bay Anja Bancevic has headed to Prospect Oval for more opportunities after just the five games with the yellow and black in the past three seasons. North will be minus a stack of experience though with retirements to other past captains or co-captains in Kristi Harvey and Jess Edwards, while leader Cristie Castle also retired.
Norwood:
The Redlegs are hungry to go one better in 2025, and though past best and fairest winner Maher and leading goalkicker Alana Lishmund are no longer there, Norwood found others over the past 12 months who stepped up. A couple of former State Academy members in Amalie Innes and Timeka Cox cross over, while tall Georgie Jaques makes her return to SANFLW level and Tasmanian Ellie Poke joins former Devils teammate Candice Belbin at the Redlegs.
South Adelaide:
Coming off another flag, South Adelaide looms as a key contender once again, even without league best and fairest-winning midfielder Nikki Nield who had to retire. The Panthers have brought in Tamika May from West Adelaide as the biggest transfer, while also picking up some talented local players including youngsters to filter through the side in the coming years. Given the majority of the premiership-winning list has stayed intact, there is not too much the Panthers needed to do.
Sturt:
After missing out on finals last season, the Double Blues are keen to return to the postseason series and alongside a host of now age-eligible youth, the 2022 SANFLW Grand Finalists have continued to look within. One player who knows plenty about grand finals is ex-Panther Gypsy Schirmer who provides superb versatility and elite athleticism for coach Michael O’Connor after she crossed to Sturt alongside Eqxelle Evans. Maddie Fitzgerald has joined from West Adelaide, while the biggest inclusion is the return of ex-Port AFLW utility Alex Ballard. The midfield did take a hit though with skipper Kate Harris retiring and new Crows recruit India Rasheed departing.
West Adelaide:
Adding dangerous forward and former competition leading goalkicker Alana Lishmund adds not only scoreboard pressure inside 50 but also a high energy, while the ex-Redleg is also capable of playing other roles further afield. She joins alongside Nightcliff’s Summer Malone, while coach Bruce Dawes is impressed with how youngsters Chelsea Newitt and Sarah Deed – both out of the Goodwood Saints – are tracking.
Woodville-West Torrens:
The Eagles have once again looked within the program and there are some massive wraps on young kids. Maia Freemantle and Ruby Lynch are two that coach Narelle Smith is excited to see at League level, while Alice Tentye and Ellie Farrands have crossed from North Gambier and Townsville respectively. Some experience, quality and depth has left the club, so another year of seeing how the young guns develop is in store for Eagles fans.
