{"id":212059,"date":"2026-04-13T11:05:59","date_gmt":"2026-04-13T01:05:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/?p=212059"},"modified":"2026-04-13T11:06:02","modified_gmt":"2026-04-13T01:06:02","slug":"2026-sanflw-team-preview-sturt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/2026\/04\/13\/2026-sanflw-team-preview-sturt\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 SANFLW team preview: Sturt"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

LIKE half the competition, Sturt heads into 2026 with a new coach at the helm, after former AFLW player Ange Foley<\/em><\/strong> took over from Michael O’Connor <\/em><\/strong>in the off-season. The Double Blues did well to secure a finals spot and then knock off North Adelaide, but are looking to make the next step after narrowly missing premiership glory back in 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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LAST SEASON<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sturt finished the year relatively strongly, winning its last two games to qualify for finals by just two points ahead of Central District. The Double Blues then rolled North Adelaide in the elimination final – a repeat of the week before – before succumbing to a strong and eventual premiership side in South Adelaide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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2026 FIXTURE:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Round 1: <\/strong>vs. Woodville-West Torrens | April 18 @ Maughan Thiem Kia Oval
Round 2: <\/strong>vs. Glenelg | April 25 @ Thomas Farms Oval
Round 3:<\/strong> vs. West Adelaide | May 2 @ Coopers Stadium*
Round 4: <\/strong>vs. South Adelaide | May 10 @ Magain Stadium
Round 5:<\/strong> vs. Central District | May 23 @ Thomas Farms Oval
Round 6: <\/strong>vs. North Adelaide | May 30 @ Thomas Farms Oval*
Round 7: <\/strong>vs. Norwood | June 8 @ Thomas Farms Oval
Round 8: <\/strong>vs. Glenelg | June 20 @ Revo Fitness Oval*
Round 9: <\/strong>vs. South Adelaide | June 27 @ Thomas Farms Oval
Round 10:<\/strong> vs. West Adelaide | July 4 @ Stratarama Stadium*
Round 11:<\/strong> vs. Woodville-West Torrens | July 18 @ Thomas Farms Oval
Round 12: <\/strong>vs. Norwood | July 25 @ Richmond Oval*
Round 13: <\/strong>vs. Central District | August 1 @ X Convenience Oval
Round 14: <\/strong>vs. North Adelaide | August 8 @ Revo Fitness Stadium<\/p>\n\n\n\n

* Denotes full-league four-game day at one venue<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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CHANGES<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sturt has brought back former Double Blues ruck in Alex Pearce<\/a> to replace Jasmin Fejo<\/a> following her retirement. Molly Fletcher<\/a> has also retired, while Monique Bessen<\/a> will relocate west after being drafted by Fremantle AFLW. The Double Blues have always relied largely on internal development, and Sturt has a number of talented juniors rising through the ranks who will play key roles in the League side over the coming seasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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DRAFT WATCH<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In past years the Double Blues have had a standout talent for the AFLW Draft, but in 2026, it is a little different. Isabel Smart<\/a> is the younger sister of Lily, while Skout Young<\/a> and Erin Conn<\/a> are other top-age draft hopes. The Double Blues will look for improvements from these prospects as well as the highly talented double bottom-age duo of Lily Whiteman<\/a> and Madeline Nuss<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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OTHERS TO WATCH<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sturt has always had a strong inside midfield presence, and that is headlined by Isobel Kuiper<\/a> who leads the way in most statistical categories. The ever-reliable and versatile Georgia Swan<\/a> is a key player, while over-age prospects Sophie Thredgold<\/a> and Summer Ross<\/a> came with draft interest in 2025. In defence, Alex Ballard<\/a> is a brick wall, while Gypsy Schirmer<\/a> has been a welcome addition since crossing from south Adelaide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Up the other end, Georgia King<\/a> and Zara Walsh<\/a> are exciting forwards who can do plenty of damage when fit, while Claudia Edmonds<\/a> and Ruby Cunningham<\/a> are among the many Double Blues who just play their role each week to help the team grind out wins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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PREDICTION<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sturt is a side that has a real blue collar feel to the team, with plenty of developing youngsters who buy into the competitive nature of the side. In years gone by, the Double Blues have had a well-balanced group more so than just a handful of stars, and that helps them to live up to the team ethos and work as a strong cohesive unit. One again should be thereabouts either just inside or just outside the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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