Round 4 Hostplus SANFLW Match Wraps

By ZAC MILBANK

Glenelg catapulted to the top of the Hostplus SANFLW League ladder with an impressive 22-point win against reigning premier North Adelaide at Hisense Stadium.

After losing their first match of the season to West Adelaide, the Tigers have since strung together three victories in succession against the Eagles, Sturt and Roosters.

Now boasting the best percentage in the competition, the Bays have also shown off their potency as crafty veterans Chelsea Packer (four goals) and Caitlyn Swanson (two goals) booted six of their team’s eight majors in Round 4.

Leading at every change, Glenelg welcomed back Power-listed Sarah Goodwin – who had 25 disposals – while Piper Window (21 disposals) and Ellie Kellock (17 disposals) also had an influence.

North co-captain Jess Edwards showed her trademark resilience with 18 possessions and seven tackles while Hannah Ewings finished with 14 disposals, four tackles and four clearances in her first appearance for the club since the 2022 Grand Final.

Two goals in the dying stages of the fourth term proved to be the difference in Sturt’s gutsy seven-point win against West Adelaide at Hisense Stadium.

The Double Blues had their backs against the wall when Bloods’ key forward Tabby Saville kicked truly to open up a five-point advantage in the 12th minute of the last quarter.

But the visitors – who were confronting their former coach Bruce Dawes for the first time – came up with match-winning majors to Alysha Healy and Tessa Doumanis to earn their second win of the season.

Sturt midfielders Georgia Bevan (27 disposals) and Alisha Gepp (26 disposals) were industrious throughout the contest while valuable utility Isobel Kuiper had her strongest game since returning from a knee reconstruction to register 21 disposals and 11 tackles.

Former Power-listed forward Doumanis kicked three of the visitors’ six goals for the afternoon.

West defender Lucy Boyd continued her bright start to the 2023 campaign with 19 disposals and six marks while Zoe Venning had 18 disposals and nine tackles.

Star Port Adelaide player Gemma Houghton finished with two goals from her four kicks, three marks and five tackles in her opening appearance for the Bloods.

Central District proved it is the real deal for 2023 after upsetting previously-unbeaten South Adelaide by 32 points at X Convenience Oval.

Suddenly boasting a 3-1 win-loss record, the Bulldogs are well-placed to earn their first SANFLW League finals berth after registering victories against the Eagles, Redlegs and Panthers.

Bursting out to a commanding 20-point lead at the opening change on the back kicking 4.2 to 1.0 in the first quarter, the hosts overcame a goalless second term to pile on another three majors in the third to set up their triumph.

Fan favourite Katelyn Rosenzweig celebrated her 50th SANFLW League game with two goals for the Bulldogs while captain Shelby Smith (24 disposals, 14 tackles) and impressive youngsters Laitiah Huynh (22 possessions) and Elaine Grigg (20 disposals) were also prominent.

South debutant Taylah Levy – signed by the Crows AFLW team last week – made an impression with 18 possessions, while Senna Gulden racked up 17 disposals and four tackles for the visitors in their first loss of the season.

Norwood opened its 2023 account in fine style with a dominant 31-point victory against Woodville-West Torrens at The Parade. 

Having lost their opening three matches by less than a goal, the Redlegs did everything in their power to ensure this trend would be broken by slamming on the first five goals of the game.

At the same time, the hosts managed to keep the Eagles’ scoreless until Channy Mitchell kicked truly during the second minute of the last quarter.

Celebrating the milestone of much-loved captain Ali Ferrall, Norwood had six goal scorers as it benefited from the presence of Power-listed Ebony O’Dea (27 disposals, nine clearances, one goal) and Jade Halfpenny (22 disposals, 12 marks, one goal).

Still searching for their first win of the season, the Eagles were well-served by young star Shineah Goody (21 disposals, six tackles), captain Annie Falkenberg (17 disposals) and Yasmin Duursma – sister of Power wingman Xavier – who had 16 possessions and eight marks.