A RETIRING SANFLW legend plays her last home game, while two finals hopefuls take to the field to try and get the upper hand in the chase for fourth spot at seasons’s end. We preview the Glenelg and Sturt, and Norwood and South Adelaide clashes.

RUN HOME

Glenelg is out of the finals race, but continues to show promising signs for the future. Though some of the Bays’ youth will be missing from the clash, they are in good hands to begin their rebuild and could really put a dint in Sturt’s finals chances here. The Double Blues face the Eagles and Roosters in the last fortnight so to say a loss would likely be fatal to their finals hopes is an understatement. Must-win.

TEAMS

Glenelg:

B: Madelyn Zacher, Lauren Edwards
HB: Ash Dyer-Pietsch, Ella Quinn, Marie Martino
C: Madisyn Freeman, Samantha Franson, Lakeisha Sheffield
HF: Charlotte O’Sullivan, Cassie McWilliam, Astrid Gooley
F: Kaitey Whittaker, Kori Webb
R: Chloe Harding, Jessica Bates, Asha Dufour
INT: Elizabeth Johnson, Mackenzie O’Dea, Aleesha Robran, Lucy Weatherald, Matilda Wilmore

Sturt:

B: Gypsy Schirmer, Lily Whitcombe
HB: Tahlia Walker, Hannah Prenzler, Isabella Drew
C: Skout Young, Georgia Swan, Molly Fletcher
HF: Sienna Fox, Georgia King, Ruby Cunningham
F: Zara Walsh, Lily Whiteman
R: Jasmin Fejo, Isobel Kuiper, Gemma Grivell
INT: Amy Brooks-Birve, Madeleine Fitzgerald, Alisha Gepp, Zina Hunt, Millie McCarthy, Phoebe Neck, Grace Powell, Imogen Szegedi

CHANGES

Glenelg has lost young gun midfielder Georgie Fielder to the state team amongst three omissions in Kiahni Russell, Jayde Hickey and Ellen Tyminski. Top-ager Matilda Wilmore is among the inclusions with Lauren Edwards, Astrid Gooley and debutant Kori Webb.

Sturt has a heavy presence of State Academy members so has lost both wingers in Summer Ross and Lily Smart, as well as defender/midfielder Sophie Thredgold who will vice-captain the Croweaters. The coaching staff will be relieved to get the likes of Alisha Gepp, Molly Fletcher, Jasmin Fejo and Zara Walsh back in time for a charge to the finals.

PREDICTION

Sturt’s season is on the line here because a loss means the Double Blues must topple a top three side in the final fortnight. Glenelg can potentially ruin its opponent’s finals hopes, though it looks like the Double Blues on paper – with reinforcements returning – are more experienced. Don’t count out the Jessica Bates though with the Bays’ legend playing her last home game before retirement.

RUN HOME

In the second grand final rematch of the year, South Adelaide gets a great opportunity to keep the pressure on Woodville-West Torrens inside the top two. Second spot is essentially locked up barring a disastrous 0-3 finish, but the Panthers will want to put a rubber stamp on it here with a win before playing the other two three side in the last fortnight. Stakes could not be higher for Norwood too though, with a loss here meaning the Redlegs will not only need to win their last two games, but also hope Sturt and West Adelaide lose theirs too.

TEAMS

Norwood:

B: Georgie Jaques, Nicola Burns
HB: Sophie Arkun, Emily Bartsch, Lani Cocks
C: Coby Morgan, Jade Halfpenny, Kiana Lee
HF: Lana Schwerdt, Elke Cameron, Amelia Rusden
F: Emma Clark, Adrienne Davies
R: Kate Alexander, Sarah Branford, Georgina Birchall
INT: Lottie Almond, Sophie Armitstead, Sharmaine Crosby, Jazmine Egan, Ashlee Gould, Amalie Innes, Elle Lineage, Grace Whittaker

South Adelaide:

B: Marley Tape, Esther Schirmer
HB: Tiffany King, Jaslynne Smith, Samantha Pratt
C: Hope Taylor, Demi-Lee Braun, Litonya Cockatoo-Motlap
HF: Tabitha Prosser, Shae Archbold, Laquoiya Cockatoo-Motlap
F: Emily Brockhurst, Jessica Waterhouse
R: Soriah Moon, Lauren Clifton, Caitlin Couch
INT: Melissa Anderson, Charlotte Dolan, Zoe Flesfadar, Doreena Hansen, Molly Jenkins, Tamika May, Chloe Meyers, Seraphina Moon

CHANGES

Norwood’s case to cause an upset has not been helpd by a spate of injuries and unavailabilities for the match. The Redlegs lose Charlee Brooksby to the South Australian team, as well as Candice Belbin (foot), Mykaela Walker (ankle), Grace Mulvahil (shoulder) and skipper Steph Simmonds (work). Norwood recalls experienced trio Sophie Armitstead, Emma Clark and Ashlee Gould among a whopping eight inclusions on an extended bench.

South Adelaide will be minus most of its starting midfield with Taya Maxwell and Layla Vizgaudis representing South Australia, while Lucy Northcott is unavailable due to work. The Panthers have been able to name ex-Crow Jess Waterhouse for the game, making her return to the SANFLW with Charlotte Dolan, Doreena Hansen and Tamika May among the other possible inclusions.

PREDICTION

South Adelaide should still get the win despite losing a handful of key players as the Redlegs have lost just as many. Both teams go in testing their depth, and while the Redlegs should be more confident at home, the Panthers have been the far more consistent side this season.