Steen’s fresh start for 2022

By ZAC MILBANK

North Adelaide Women’s Coach Krissie Steen will take a refreshed outlook into the 2022 SANFLW season after revealing her fatigue in 2021.

Now with lead assistant coach Matt Down stepping up to take trainings throughout preseason, Steen is making sure she has enough time away from Prospect to recharge her batteries for next season.

Speaking on SANFL Radio, Steen paid tribute to former Roosters player Down, who also works in Pulteney Grammar’s Physical Education Department.

Steen is welcoming back Mollie McKendrick to SANFLW ranks, with the star tall utility returning from playing basketball with district club Eastern Mavericks.

Former Fremantle Docker Jade de Melo has landed at Prospect after also playing for the NT Thunder while Tabatha Saville is poised to make a successful transition from cricket, having played for the Adelaide Strikers.

The regular presence of a fully fit Hannah Ewings will be like having an extra recruit while exciting Modbury 15-year-olds Laela Ebert and Sienna Yarwood are making a strong impression on the training track.

Ebert, the daughter of former North player Daniel Ebert, has exceptional skills -prompting Steen to declare: ”Watch this space!”

North will need to overcome its loss of experience with SANFLW leading goalkicker Kelly Barltrop and former AFLW defender Talia Radan hanging up the boots while Lauren Daniel is out for the season on maternity leave.