A COUPLE of key matches between top three sides and finals hopefuls open the return of SANFL Women’s with Round 12 kicking off tomorrow. We preview both clashes with sides missing a number of youngsters due to the national championships.

RUN HOME

Central District is now just ahead of the ‘mathematically possible’ stage of making finals, needing a stack of results to go in the Bulldogs’ favour. Their percentage is still better than Sturt’s but must win all of their games and hope Sturt, West Adelaide and Norwood all lose. North Adelaide has stamped its post-season ticket and will be looking to lock in third spot with a win here.

TEAMS

Central District:

B: Georgia Madigan, Elizabeth Wilson
HB: Alysha Healy, Tashayla Corfield, Holly Tralaggan
C: Karissa Searle, Dakota Williams, Laitiah Huynh
HF: Tessa Doumanis, Katelyn Rosenzweig, Demi Holloway
F: Tesharna Maher, Akeira-Juliet Whichello
R: Amy Gaedtke, Madison Lane, Caitlen Teague
INT: Lauren Breguet, Charlotte Maurits, Shelby Raven, Ella Sergi, Demi Sonneman

North Adelaide:

B: Nevaeh Ebert, Jamie Parish
HB: Isabella Beaumont, Ella Metcalfe, Erin Sundstrom
C: Maya Fuller, Djimila Totham, Lauren Gauci
HF: Aprille Crooks, Zara Molloy, Sky Jensen
F: Amber Ward, Ashleigh George
R: Anja Bancevic, Laura Niejalke, Caitlin Hardin
INT: Sasha Branson, Imogen Cunningham, Jasmine Dallimore, Ruby Hancock, Sasha Hardin, Bailey Murray, Abbie Player

CHANGES

Central District’s task of winning has not been made any easier by losing Under 18s talents Miyu Endersby and Tara Lord, while omitting three players including inside midfielder Jovanka Zecevic which comes as a big call. Coming into the team the Dogs have recalled Under 16s forward Charlotte Maurits as well as another dangerous player inside 50 in Tessa Doumanis and defender Demi Sonneman among five changes.

North Adelaide has also been forced to make four selection moves with Polly Turner representing South Australia, Lara Harding (ankle) and Lucy Reddaway (managed) among four outs. Coming into the side are a pair of debutants in Under 16s All-Australian Isabella Beaumont, and ex-Bulldog Sasha Branson who faces her former side up first. Another Under 16s talent in Caitlin Hardin has also been brought in for an extended bench.

PREDICTION

North Adelaide has just been too strong this season, and while both sides lose quality players, the Roosters have seemed to roll with the punches in 2025. Expect them to further lock in third spot, though the saving grace for the Dogs is it is at Elizabeth, so they are always a chance.

RUN HOME

Ladder leaders Woodville-West Torrens are in search of win number 11 in season 2025, with a top two spot locked in and the ultimate goal of a home final first-up. The Eagles will be without a number of quality players for this clash but at least can prepare for the post-season, which the same cannot be said for West Adelaide just yet. The Bloods sit fifth and have the best percentage of the four teams battling it out for the last finals spot, but need to cause an upset in the run home with a tough draw.

TEAMS

Woodville-West Torrens:

B: Christina Leuzzi, Zahlia Niemann
HB: Bianca Portaro, Audrey Holt, Kalliopi Gikas
C: Cheryllee Waters, Alice Tentye, Isabella Benedictson
HF: Brianna Walling, Rosette Zerella, Olivia Evans
F: Klaudia O’Neill, Ashley Baker
R: Leah Cutting, Annie Falkenberg, Sophie Zuill
INT: Amie Blanden, Lucy Farnsworth, Asha Gooley, Ruby Lynch, Sinead Saunders, Ava Shreeve, Cleo Simpson, Madison Turner

West Adelaide:

B: Madi Russell, Niamh Davis
HB: Philippa Worthley, Emma Chapman, Grace Sim
C: Paige Allan, Ruby Ballard, Olivia Smith
HF: Sarah Deed, Nicole Hooper, Chelsea Newitt
F: Nicola Biagi, Shelby Knoll
R: Tess Huxtable, Hannah Button, Zoe Venning
INT: Sarah Campbell, Jemma Ellis, Alana Lishmund, Ella Maxwell, Kayla Mudge, Georgie Pater, Molly Petersen, Stephanie Tredwell

CHANGES

Woodville-West Torrens will lose three key youngsters for the match with bottom-agers Lucy Moore and Julia Faulkner set to don the tri-colours, while Under 16s prospect Maia Freemantle is out with an ankle injury. There are six potential inclusions as part of an extended bench, with players such as Lucy Farnsworth, Astrid Gooley and Ruby Lynch all named.

West Adelaide has recruited a big name in Richmond AFLW player Shelby Knoll who is one of five inclusions for the massive match. Though the Bloods lose smooth-moving Emily Mableson to state duties as well as defender Tiana Fernandez, they have recalled winger Paige Allan and a trio of forward targets including Alana Lishmund and Steph Tredwell as part of the extended bench.

PREDICTION

It is impossible to go past the Eagles given their season form so they are rightly favourites for the clash. However West Adelaide has some big ‘ins’ and is always competitive irrespective of opponent which is why its percentage is so strong. Should be a good game.