WOODVILLE-West Torrens is on the board in the 2026 AAMI Talent League after the Eagles bounced back from last week’s heartbreaking six-point defeat to Norwood by saluting by the same margin against North Adelaide on the weekend. Despite a strong first half, the Eagles had to weather a comeback from the Roosters – who drew level in the last – before a late goal to the Eagles sealed the deal, 6.3 (39) to 5.3 (33).

The first term was a tight tussle with North Adelaide’s Ella Demertzis the first to hit the scoreboard five minutes in, however it was all the Eagles for the next 35 minutes as they piled on four unanswered goals – including two to overage forward Mia Smith – and headed into half-time with a 4.3 (27) to 1.0 (6) lead.

Despite the comfortable advantage, the Roosters were never out of it, and North hit back hard with three goals in the space of seven minutes during the premiership quarter as Macy Philpott, Lucy Reddaway and Brooklyn Taylor all converted majors. They had closed to within two points at the final break, and after a couple of early behinds in the fourth, had levelled the scores at 4.3 apiece.

Having gone more than 20 minutes without a score, the Eagles fans were relieved when Asha Gooley finally put one through the big sticks and give her side some breathing room. That was short lived however, as Asha Lehmann replied in the 12th minute to once again tie the scores. Just when it looked like the match would end in a draw, Molly Burke stepped up in the last 90 seconds to nail a six-pointer and provide her team with its first points of the 2026 season.

It was a fascinating game where the Eagles controlled the inside and did most of the attacking with wins in the hitouts (32-23), clearances (30-21) and inside 50s (32-23), but the Roosters’ ability to slow play and defend bravely saw them have eight more rebound 50s (26-18) and 22 more marks (36-14), while also laying eight more tackles (74-66).

Top-age ruck Lucy Farnsworth continued her strong start to the season with the State Academy member pushing for an early League debut after another big game. She laid 11 tackles and had six clearances from 15 disposals, while also having three inside 50s in the win.

She was well supported by the likes of Burke (20 disposals, four tackles, two clearances and a goal) and Ruby Matthews (19 disposals, eight tackles, four clearances, four inside 50s, two rebound 50s and a goal). Smith converted two majors from 14 touches, while Kayla Ilett (14 disposals, three marks, two tackles and a goal was also lively.

The likes of Imogen Cunningham (19 disposals, four marks, five tackles, three clearances and five rebound 50s), Chloe Spanagel (20 disposals, three marks and eight rebound 50s) and Nevaeh Ebert (16 disposals, nine tackles and four rebound 50s) were all strong in defeat. The Roosters had five individual goalkickers in defeat including Reddaway (13 touches, four marks, seven tackles and five inside 50s) and Philpott (12 disposals, three tackles and four hitouts).

Woodville-West Torrens takes on West Adelaide at Richmond Oval in Round 3 as part of a full day of action at the venue between the eight teams next Sunday, March 15. North Adelaide heads to Glenelg where the two winless sides will face off for their first points in season 2026.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

The two most impressive sides of Round 1 took to the field, and despite a close start, Central District ended up blowing away South Adelaide by 51 points at Magain Stadium, 8.17 (65) to 2.2 (14). Bottom-age star Charlotte Maurits (26 disposals, five marks, four tackles, four clearances, three inside 50s, two rebound 50s and a goal) had another day out, while Izabella Nisbet (22 disposals, four tackles, four clearances and three inside 50s) was busy, and up forward, Annelise Lovell kicked 2.6 from 19 disposals and seven marks.

South defender Millie Beens was brave behind the ball, amassing 16 disposals and 10 rebound 50s, while through the middle, Madison Brown (16 disposals, eight tackles, six clearances and four inside 50s) was tireless at the coalface.

Sturt handed Glenelg and emphatic defeat with a dominant 10 goals to nil in the game against the Bays, bouncing back from a Round 1 loss to West Adelaide. Glenelg is still yet to put one through the big sticks, and despite containing the double Blues at different points, still went down, 10.2 (62) to 0.2 (2).

Miller Thompson (16 disposals, six inside 50s and three goals) and Edwina Thornquest (11 disposals, five marks, eight tackles and two goals) were the multiple goalkickers for the Double Blues, while Aaliyah Fox (22 disposals, nine tackles, four clearances) and Richmond father-daughter prospect Saskia Kellaway (16 disposals, 12 tackles, five clearances and three inside 50s) were also terrific. It was a tough day out for Glenelg but Ruby Rose had an all-round game of 10 disposals, three marks – one contested – and 10 tackles.

In the other match, Norwood joined Central District as the only other team to remain undefeated from the opening fortnight with a 20-point win over West Adelaide. The Redlegs were inaccurate, but still got the job done with 16 scoring shots to six, 4.12 (36) to 2.4 (16).

Amelia Kelly (25 disposals, four marks – two contested – three tackles, four clearances and five inside 50s) and Ella Anderson (23 disposals, four marks – one contested – seven clearances and four rebound 50s) were both prolific, while Mia Wood (19 disposals, three marks, five tackles, two clearances, six inside 50s and a goal) also impressed. Sienna Aldridge (16 disposals, five marks, three tackles and five rebound 50s) and Charli Deer (13 disposals, two tackles and four rebounds) were among the best for the Bloods.