{"id":217989,"date":"2026-06-25T09:45:56","date_gmt":"2026-06-24T23:45:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/?p=217989"},"modified":"2026-06-25T09:45:58","modified_gmt":"2026-06-24T23:45:58","slug":"2026-sanflw-player-focus-kate-alexander-norwood","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/2026\/06\/25\/2026-sanflw-player-focus-kate-alexander-norwood\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 SANFLW Player Focus: Kate Alexander (Norwood)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

NORWOOD ruck and top-age AFLW Draft prospect Kate Alexander<\/a> had a breakout performance in the SANFLW on the weekend. In a resolute performance in difficult, muddy conditions at Revo Fitness Oval, Norwood held off an in-form South Adelaide side for a 17-point win, 4.12 (36) to 3.1 (19), in Round 8 of the SANFLW season. Alexander was instrumental in the Redlegs’ victory, setting the tone early and adapting superbly to the wet weather.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The imposing ruck\/forward amassed 22 disposals (16 kicks, six handballs) while working tirelessly both at the stoppages and inside 50. Her performance showed her capacity as not just an aerial threat, but being able to be clean at ground level and a danger around goals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

BACKGROUND<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Name:<\/strong> Kate Alexander
Height:<\/strong> 183cm
DOB:<\/strong> 29\/04\/2008
Position: <\/strong>Ruck\/Forward
Clubs: <\/strong>Norwood\/Modbury<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Growing up playing netball, she transitioned to football for local club Modbury before making her way to Norwood. She models her game on Port Adelaide star Matilda Scholz<\/strong>, and the comparison is apt: strong ruck craft combined with the ability to push forward and hit the scoreboard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alexander strikes an imposing figure not just in size, but sheer strength as well. She is strong one-on-one and competes well against other bigger-bodied rucks, while also not being afraid of scrapping below her knees. More of a natural footballer than some developing talls, Alexander has had no shortage of SANFLW experience through her junior years and has established herself as the number one ruck at the Redlegs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Known for her bodywork, clean hands, and versatility, Alexander is the definition of a modern-day ruck. Her Round 8 performance against South Adelaide was another reminder of why clubs are keeping tabs on the 183cm prospect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PLAYER FOCUS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stats vs. South Adelaide, Round 8: <\/strong>22 disposals (16 kicks, 6 handballs), 4 marks (1 contested), 6 tackles, 9 hitouts, 5 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 2 goals, 4 behinds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

QUARTER ONE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starting as a forward, Alexander set the tone immediately. She led out well to try and mark off hands just inside 50, presenting as a dangerous target. Her defensive pressure was also evident early, applying a strong tackle on the forward side of the wing. She registered a behind in the first six minutes as Norwood attacked relentlessly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rotating into the ruck at the seven-minute mark, she couldn\u2019t quite gather near the boundary and narrowly missed tackling the experienced Soriah Moon<\/strong>. However, she quickly rebounded, gathering out of a ruck tap and throwing it on the boot for a half-forward clearance, doing well against secondary ruck Tiffany King<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

QUARTER TWO<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The second quarter was where Alexander\u2019s scoreboard impact shone brightest. Starting forward again, she took a great mark just inside 50, reading the ball perfectly and using her height advantage over Smith for a strong grab. She converted the set shot for her first goal in the opening minute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her pressure inside 50 kept South Adelaide’s defence under constant stress. At the four-minute mark, she soccered the ball off the deck for her second goal, capping off a brilliant few minutes while matched up against Carly Milsom<\/strong>. Milsom managed to work under her in a contest later, marking close to the goal line at the seven-minute mark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rotating back into the ruck at the 10-minute mark, Alexander got a clean handball away off the deck and followed it up with another clean and effective handball while being tackled on the wing. Late in the term, she pushed forward again, gathering off the bounce at half-forward, kicking short to centre half-forward, and then pushing up to win it again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She shoveled a handball out, pushed to the pocket, and soccered off the deck towards goal, though it was intercepted. Right before the half-time siren, she had a quick snap out of a ruck stoppage that was touched on the way through, narrowly missing her third goal. She finished the half with 13 disposals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

QUARTER THREE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The third quarter saw Alexander continue her strong presence. Starting forward, she went for a mark in the goalsquare in a pack but was spoiled in the opening minute. Shortly after, at a forward stoppage, she tapped down against Moon and turned to snap towards goal, registering a behind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the seven-minute mark, she marked on the wing and kicked to a contest, then got a handball away well when the ball returned to her. Rotating into the ruck at the nine-minute mark, she forced the ball forward, and at a secondary stoppage, thumped a kick deep that led to a shot on goal for a behind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her aerial presence was highlighted at the 13-minute mark with a great clunking mark at half-forward, though her subsequent kick went out on the full as she seemed caught in two minds. She reached 19 disposals by the end of the term.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

QUARTER FOUR<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the first three quarters showcased Alexander\u2019s forward craft and accumulation, the final term highlighted her defensive work rate and endurance in the muddy conditions. Starting forward, she applied a strong tackle at half-forward in the opening minute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Midway through the term, she threw the ball on the boot from 40 metres out, slamming it towards goal but pushing it far to the left for a behind. Rotating back into the ruck for the latter part of the quarter, she competed hard against the experienced Moon, ensuring Norwood maintained their advantage around the stoppages to seal the 17-point victory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CONCLUSION<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alexander\u2019s 22-disposal, five-clearance and two-goal performance against South Adelaide was a genuine statement of intent from a player who thrives in challenging conditions. What makes Alexander so compelling is the full package on display: the imposing ruck craft, the clean hands below the knees, the versatility to impact the game as a key forward, and the defensive pressure to lock the ball in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The back-to-back goals in the second quarter, the strong contested work around the ground, and the six tackles laid across the game tell the complete story of a player who is building a very strong case for a high draft selection in 2026. As she continues to develop her aerial presence and endurance, Kate Alexander is undoubtedly a name to watch closely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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