UNDOUBTEDLY an aerial specialist, Norwood‘s Jade Halfpenny remains a talent more than good enough to step up to the top level. The tall forward has added more strings to her bow each year, and off the back of a best on ground performance during the Redlegs’ win over Central District, it is easy to see why she should be considered to make the jump up.

Halfpenny showed some signs in her top-age year as a forward, but a COVID-19 affected year of 2020 was difficult for any draft hopefuls to show their wares outside their own state. In the SANFL Women’s competition, Halfpenny had some big games, but also some inconsistent ones, which came with being a young forward slowly learning a new role. Only being her debut season at SANFL Women’s level, it was understandable that the teenager needed more time to develop areas of her game.

Along came 2021 and Halfpenny started to put her hand up to AFLW recruiters. She played 11 of a possible 13 games at Norwood, with the AFLW Under 19 Championships impacting an otherwise consistent season. She averaged the 10.6 disposals, 2.5 marks, 3.1 tackles, 2.5 inside 50s and booted four goals. Critically though, she utilised her big tank to spend more time in the midfield, where she averaged 1.7 clearances. It culminated in her nominating for Western Australia at last year’s AFLW Draft.

Though ultimately unsuccessful, Halfpenny has started her year with a bang. Backing up a 14-disposal, four-clearance, three-inside 50 and one-goal game in what was realistically a shellacking from Glenelg, the Norwood youngster showed how much she could do when her side was on top. She picked up 26 disposals, clunked nine marks – two contested – and had four clearances, seven inside 50s and slotted 2.1. Being one of Norwood’s best without a doubt in Round 1, there was no doubt in Round 2, with her goals coming at crucial times against a Central District side building momentum in the second half.

JADE HALFPENNY

Height: 176cm
DOB: 12/05/2002
Club: Norwood
State: South Australia

ROUND 2 VS CENTRAL DISTRICT: (2022 AVE)

Disposals: 26 (20.0)
Marks: 9 (5.5)
Tackles: 2 (2.0)
Clearances: 4 (4.0)
Inside 50s: 7 (5.0)
Goals: 2 (1.5)

QUARTER BY QUARTER VS CENTRAL DISTRICT:

FIRST QUARTER:

Halfpenny started in the middle and had an immediate touch with a handball at the first stoppage, then at the next stoppage had a quick kick forward. She tracked it well at half-forward chasing a ball at half-back but could not cleanly gather it, and then received the handball from Molly Brooksby in the middle to go long. A great tackle at half-forward was rewarded with a free but her kick going inside 50 was errant and chopped off. It was her aerial ability that continued to shine, with a strong mark and a set shot opportunity six and a half minutes into the match. It uncharacteristically drifted to the left, but it did not stop her having an impact for the rest of the quarter, having another chance late on the run but that too missed.

SECOND QUARTER:

The second term started with Halfpenny first appearing with an intercept possession at half-back, and was able to kick well through the middle. Her work rate throughout the game was enormous and she regularly ran by to receive the handball and bomb long inside 50. She took a fantastic mark one-on-one and was able to deliver well to Erika Sporn inside 50 at the 12-minute mark of the term. Halfpenny showed her quick step from a stoppage at the top of 50 to kick to a dangerous position that lead to a score. Though her disposal by foot was not always pinpoint, she put it to the advantage of teammates to run onto.

THIRD QUARTER:

Despite Central District having most of the going in the third term, Halfpenny still provided plenty of aerial resistance taking another couple of marks, and set up a teammate for a shot on goal early in the quarter. She showed good, clean hans in close, and covered the ground brilliantly, winning disposals in each third of the field. By the seventh minute of the term, Halfpenny had already racked up the ball some more with ease. Just as Central was getting a run on, Halfpenny took matters into her own hands to grab the ball out of a forward ruck stoppage, snap around her body and goal before anyone had even clicked. That moment just slowed the Bulldogs’ momentum and proved vital given the three quarter time deficit.

FOURTH QUARTER:

Halfpenny continued to be an option in transition, receiving it early at half-forward and deliver to a contest inside 50. With the game on the line and the next goal crucial, it was fitting that Halfpenny would be the one to deliver the final nail in the coffin. She took a strong mark 40m out from goal and the set shot never looked like missing, sailing home to seal the game for Norwood. She had another few touches to cap off a sensational game, but as a whole, Halfpenny’s performance was ultra-impressive.

CLOSING THOUGHTS …

Halfpenny is effectively in her third season of senior football, and each year she has added something to her game. First she was the forward, then she was the midfielder, and now she has seemingly found the right balance of both, and she can not only impact inside 50, but around the stoppages and even work hard defensively. Her aerial strength allows her to play anywhere, and she has the athleticism and endurance to match it with most. Though her kicking under pressure and field kicking over longer distances can still be sharpened up, it is more about pinpointing than being anything to worry about, and her marking is as good as anyone else’s going around. With Port Adelaide coming in later this year, Halfpenny should be a player on the radar given her rate of development year-on-year.