2019 North Women’s League Preview

North Adelaide’s Women’s team is being driven by the heartbreak of last season’s abrupt end in the 2018 Statewide Super League Preliminary Final.

After losing to Norwood in the 2017 Grand Final, the Roosters were warm favourites against the Redlegs on their home deck at Prospect but were unable to get going as their arch-rivals booked a berth in their second consecutive title-decider.

Speaking on SANFL Radio, North coach Matt Slade admits the bitter loss to the Legs was still burning as his revamped squad prepares for its third campaign in South Australia’s State League women’s competition.

It will be a vastly different red and white outfit which opens its minor round account against Norwood on Friday February 15, with five players selected by AFLW clubs during the off-season.

Past captain Jess Edwards, star midfielder Britt Perry, talented utility Ashleigh Woodland, Powerade Breakthrough Player Chloe Scheer and SANFLW Leading Goalkicker Katelyn Rosenzweig have all been elevated to elite ranks while Ester Boles is pushing for a berth in Richmond’s inaugural AFLW side in 2020.

This will ensure the experience of highly-regarded assistant coach Emma Sampson (pictured above with Britt Perry) will be very much welcomed when she makes a return to playing ranks in 2019.

A member of SANFL’s Female Coaching Academy, Sampson will provide valuable on-field leadership alongside newly named co-captains Leah Tynan and Nadia von Bertouch.