ROUND 9 of the SANFLW delivers the standout clash of the season so far, with ladder leaders Woodville-West Torrens hosting in-form Norwood off the back of the Redlegs’ boilover win over South Adelaide. The reigning premiers will look to respond from just their second loss of the year against a rejuvenated Sturt, while at the other end of the table North Adelaide and Glenelg meet in a battle to climb off the bottom. Three milestone games also feature, with Amelia Rusden (Norwood), Tess Huxtable (West Adelaide) and Isabella Drew (Sturt) all set to reach 50 senior games.

ROUND 9 FIXTURE:

North Adelaide vs. Glenelg | Revo Fitness Oval, Saturday June 27, 9:20am
Central District vs. West Adelaide | X Convenience Oval, Saturday June 27, 10:00am
Woodville-West Torrens vs. Norwood | Maughan Thiem Kia Oval, Saturday June 27, 2:50pm
Sturt vs. South Adelaide | Thomas Farms Oval, Saturday June 27, 2:50pm

SEASON SO FAR

North Adelaide (3-5) was edged out by two points at Revo Fitness Oval last time out, Georgia Madigan‘s go-ahead goal proving the difference as Central District snapped its long losing run. Julia Clark was outstanding in the loss with 30 disposals, and the Roosters will need a similar midfield effort to avoid back-to-back defeats.

Glenelg (1-6-1) were no match for Sturt, going down by 37 points as the Double Blues piled on 6.6 to 0.1 after half-time. Isla Wiencke and Asha Dufour again battled hard in a tough afternoon for the Bays.

CHANGES

North Adelaide welcome back South Australian representative Isabella Beaumont, as well as Keira Copeland, Jasmine Dallimore, Tiara Hatchard and Jayde Visser, with Dallimore and Hatchard available again after illness. Anja Bancevic (omitted), Jamie Parish (illness) and Sasha Branson (unavailable) are the outs.

Glenelg are without Kiana Lee (managed) for the trip to Revo Fitness Oval, a notable blow given the pair’s importance to the Bays’ midfield and forward line, with Ella Quinn the other out. Lucy Armitage, Georgie Fielder and Ella Little – back from injury – come into the side.

PREDICTION

Both sides head into this one off heavy personnel change, but North Adelaide’s home record and the return of several senior bodies should be enough to get them over the line against a Glenelg outfit missing two of its most important players.

SEASON SO FAR

Central District (2-5-1) ended a six-game winless run in dramatic fashion, edging North Adelaide by two points at Revo Fitness Oval. Holly Tralaggan, Shannon Murphy and Shelby Smith were the driving forces behind the breakthrough win.

West Adelaide (2-5-1) had no answer for Woodville-West Torrens, going down by 26 points despite another huge game from Zoe Venning, who finished with 34 disposals and six rebound 50s in defeat.

CHANGES

Central District bring in Jyearah Newchurch and Caitlen Teague, with Annelise Lovell and Kirra Tonkin among the outs.

West Adelaide welcomes back Adrienne Davies (suspension), Molly Petersen and Stevie-Lee Thompson, while Summer Malone, Anabella Walden and Paige Allan are the changes out. Tess Huxtable will play her 50th senior game.

PREDICTION

Central District’s breakthrough win will give the group genuine belief, and on the back of that performance against a West Adelaide side still searching for consistency, the Dogs look the better chance to make it back-to-back wins.

SEASON SO FAR

Woodville-West Torrens (7-1) remain undefeated, extending its winning run to eight games with a 26-point victory over West Adelaide. Alice Tentye and Poppy Waterford were again prominent through the midfield, Waterford’s 20-disposal, six-inside-50 outing – capped with a goal – a significant statement on her return from a long-term ACL injury.

Norwood (5-3) produced the result of the round, holding off reigning premiers South Adelaide in atrocious conditions for a 17-point win. Jade Halfpenny (30 disposals), Ashley Baker and ruck Kate Alexander, who booted 2.4, led the way, while debutant Kaianne Colbung-Ware also impressed.

CHANGES

Woodville-West Torrens is unchanged in any significant sense, with Isabella Benedictson, Chanel Rugari and Cleo Simpson the only changes named, continuing in the side that accounted for West Adelaide.

Norwood’s changes are headlined by the loss of Alexander, called into South Australia’s Under 18s squad just a week after her best game of the season – a significant blow up forward and in the ruck. Sarah Branford, Isabella Calvanese, Sophie Palmer and Lillian Thomas come into the side. Amelia Rusden, who kicked the sealing goal against South Adelaide, will play her 50th game.

PREDICTION

Norwood’s win over South Adelaide was built on conditions as much as form, and replicating that intensity without Alexander against a Woodville-West Torrens side yet to be tested all season looms as a significant challenge. The Eagles to remain undefeated.

Sturt (4-2-2) was dominant after half-time against Glenelg, kicking 6.6 to 0.1 to win by 37 points. Isobel Kuiper (27 disposals) and Georgia Swan (25 disposals, 10 clearances) were dominant through the middle.

South Adelaide (5-3) suffered just their second loss of the season, beaten by Norwood in the wet at Revo Fitness Oval despite a strong defensive effort from Soriah Moon and Esther Schirmer.

CHANGES

Sturt brings in Amy Brooks-Birve, Isabel Smart and Edwina Thornquest, with no outs named. Isabella Drew will play her 50th game for the club.

South Adelaide welcome back Litonya and Laquoiya Cockatoo-Motlap, Caitlin Couch and Lily Dunstall-Bruce, with Nikki Nield (hand) the only out.

PREDICTION

South Adelaide will be eager to respond after a rare defeat, but Sturt’s form and depth through the midfield make this a genuine danger game for the Panthers. Should be an absolute cracker but given South’s recent record over Sturt, you have to go with the visitors.