FOURTH spot is still up for grabs as Central District kept its season alive with a massive upset over North Adelaide, drawing level with West Adelaide and Norwood one four wins, just two points outside the top four. We recap Round 12 of the SANFL Women’s.
>> SANFLW Round 12 MOTR: Bates brilliance spearheads Bays to upset
OTHER ROUND 12 RESULTS:
Central District played like a team with its season on the line and came up big after quarter time to slot six goals to one and remind people of what the Bulldogs are capable of at their best. Despite missing a number of key players due to the national championships, Central District found the key to beating the Roosters, coming away with the 29-point win, 8.3 (51) to 3.4 (22).
Forwards Tesharna Maher (four goals) and Akeira-Juliet Whichello (three) were outstanding in front of the big sticks, though the win was built off the back of defence as the Dogs repelled quite a number of attacks. Their 40-21 clearance domination over the Roosters told a tale , headlined by Lauren Breguet (22 disposals, eight clearances and seven inside 50s) and Dakota Williams (14 disposals, eight tackles and 11 clearances). The ever-reliable Madison Lane was rock solid once again, and the move of Alysha Healy into defence paid dividends.
Explosive Rooster Aprille Crooks kicked all three of her side’s goals in the win, while Jamie Parish (20 disposals, three marks, three tackles and six rebound 50s) was enormous up the other end. Youngster Caitlin Hardin worked hard around the ground, while Laura Niejalke (12 disposals, five tackles and four clearances) and Djimila Totham (14 disposals, five tackles and six clearances) were among the better North Adelaide midfielders.
Central District takes on West Adelaide next weekend and can jump into the top four with a victory if Sturt loses to the unbeaten Eagles, while North Adelaide gets a finals preview against South Adelaide.
CENTRAL DISTRICT 2.0 | 4.2 | 6.3 | 8.3 (51)
NORTH ADELAIDE 2.1 | 2.2 | 3.2 | 3.4 (22)
GOALS:
Central District: T. Maher 4, A. Whichello 3, K. Rosenzweig
North Adelaide: A. Crooks 3
RMC BEST:
Central District: T. Maher, A. Healy, L. Breguet, A. Whichello, D. Williams
North Adelaide: A. Crooks, J. Parish, C. Hardin, L. Niejalke, D. Totham
Woodville-West Torrens’ focus on earning the minor premiership has not wavered with the Eagles swiping away a last quarter West Adelaide challenge to come out on top by 20 points. The Eagles moved to 11-1 for the season, and despite the Bloods sticking with them for three quarters and drawing within seven points a minute into the last term, could not get over the top of the impressive ladder leaders.
The Eagles won the clearance battle 38-23 and inside 50s count 29-16, so credit to the West Adelaide defence for keeping the side in the game. Skipper Madison Russell (21 disposals, three marks and three tackles) was prolific, while Hannah Button (20 disposals, three marks, eight tackles, six clearances and three rebound 50s) spread well from the contest to help out behind the ball. Zoe Venning (29 disposals, eight marks and eight tackles) racked up the ball with ease, and Ruby Ballard also provided a hard edge.
However the Eagles just had too many winners across the park with Alice Tentye (24 disposals, nine tackles and five clearances) continuing her wonderful debut season, while bottom-age tall Ruby Lynch (16 disposals, four marks, nine tackles, six hitouts, two clearances and three inside 50s) played a great second ruck role to Leah Cutting (18 disposals, five tackles, 27 hitouts, three clearances, two inside 50s and two rebound 50s) who dominated once again. Ashley Baker, Madison Turner, Olivia Evans and Sophie Zuill were all among the best.
Woodville-West Torrens takes on Sturt next Saturday at Unley, while West Adelaide locks horns with Central District at X Convenience Oval at the same time.
WWT EAGLES 0.1 | 2.2 | 3.3 | 6.5 (41)
WEST ADELAIDE 0.1 | 1.1 | 1.2 | 3.3 (21)
GOALS:
WWT Eagles: A. Gooley 2, K. O’Neill, I. Benedictson, O. Evans, S. Zuill
West Adelaide: S. Campbell, N. Hooper, S. Tredwell
RMC BEST:
WWT Eagles: A. Tentye, L. Cutting, R. Lynch, A. Baker, O. Evans
West Adelaide: H. Button, Z. Venning, R. Ballard, M. Russell, S. Deed
South Adelaide came from behind at half-time and denied Norwood a late charge to secure a 15-point win at Coopers Stadium in the first time the teams have played at the venue since last year’s grand final. The Panthers hit the front midway through the third term but could not completely dismiss Norwood who kept closing even in the final few minutes until Doreena Hansen kicked the sealer with her third major for the Panthers to get up, 5.9 (39) to 2.6 (24).
Soriah Moon‘s sensational 2025 SANFLW season rolled on with another best on ground performance, racking up 25 touches, four marks – two contested – four tackles, 32 hitouts, six clearances, two inside 50s and three rebounds 50s in the win. She was well supported by the likes of midfielders Caitlin Couch (17 disposals, five marks and eight tackles) and Lauren Clifton (16 disposals, three marks, six tackles and six clearances), while Esther Schirmer and Tiffany King were rocks in defence.
For the Redlegs, debutant Lani Cocks kicked one of the goals of the year and showed her potential with 14 disposals, two marks, three tackles, three clearances, four inside 50s and two rebound 50s, while Kiana Lee kicked Norwood’s other two majors from 14 disposals and eight marks (four contested). The experience of Jade Halfpenny (21 disposals, eight marks – three contested – seven tackles, three clearances and four inside 50s) was important, while Emily Bartsch and Emma Clark were also superb.
South Adelaide takes on North Adelaide next weekend in a massive blockbuster at Prospect Oval, while Norwood gets its opportunity to keep pushing for fourth spot when hosting Glenelg at The Parade.
NORWOOD 0.1 | 0.3 | 2.5 | 3.6 (24)
SOUTH ADELAIDE 0.1 | 1.4 | 2.8 | 5.9 (39)
GOALS:
Norwood: K. Lee 2, L. Cocks
South Adelaide: D. Hansen 3, M. Anderson, J. Waterhouse
RMC BEST:
Norwood: J. Halfpenny, K. Lee, E. Bartsch, L. Cocks, E. Clark
South Adelaide: S. Moon, C. Couch, E. Schirmer, L. Clifton, D. Hansen