Round 9 Hostplus SANFLW Match Wraps

By WARREN PARTLAND

Super efficiency enabled Central District to escape from Thomas Farms Oval with a seven-point victory over Sturt to enhance its hopes of defending its Hostplus SANFLW League crown.

The Double Blues will rue an inability to capitalise on a territorial domination, having 14 more entries inside their 50, and they have slipped two games plus percentage outside the top four.

No more evident was the damage caused by their wasteful habits in attack than the opening quarter when the Double Blues won the inside 50 count 10-4, yet managed just one goal.

At half-time, the count was a whopping 25-7 in favour of the home side. However, the reward was only two goals.

With India Rasheed in supreme form with 34 possessions, nine tackles and eight clearances, the Double Blues scrambled to an 11-point lead in the third quarter.

But the Bulldogs, in contrast to their opponents, made the most of their opportunities to nail five of the next six goals. Caitlin Wendland was outstanding for the visitors, amassing 26 disposals, 17 tackles and nine clearances.

Norwood’s title hopes have been significantly boosted after co-captain Sophie Armitstead successfully negotiated her long-awaited return to action in the victory over North Adelaide at Coopers Stadium.

Making her first appearance since damaging her ACL in a trial last year, the tough midfielder immediately impacted on the contest with a game-high seven clearances.

The former Adelaide AFLW player pulled up well after the game, according to coach Brad Ferrall, and her presence will give the Redlegs more potency around the stoppages.

Shai Hiscock nailed the first goal, and only major for the first quarter, for the Redlegs and the home side added the only two goals for the second term to claim the ascendancy.

The winless Roosters, with Julia Clark and Ella Quinn having an influence, threatened to cause an upset with the opening two goals of the third term.

But the Redlegs responded in stylish fashion, bagging the next three goals to regain control.

South Adelaide’s miserly defence was again on show to lay the platform for a 20-point triumph over Woodville-West Torrens at Maughan Thiem Kia Oval.

The Panthers have been the most impressive defensive outfit this season, conceding 194 points in nine games at an average of 21, and they coughed up only seven against the Eagles.

Such was the smothering work of the visitors, the Eagles were allowed just 18 entries inside their attacking 50 and finished with only one goal. Rosetta Zerella kicked the Eagles’ goal late in the first quarter.

The Panthers nailed the first goal when Emily Brockhurst, the league’s leading goalkicker this season with 15, kicked truly.

There were no goals in the second and fourth quarters, with the Panthers adding two goals in the third.

Nikki Nield is a workhorse for the Panthers and she registered an incredible 18 tackles to add to her 20 disposals, while Jordann Hickey continued her outstanding season.

Poppy Waterford had a huge impact for the Eagles when they challenged the Panthers early, and Annie Falkenberg had a game-high 24 possessions.

Can Glenelg be stopped in its pursuit of a second premiership?

The Tigers were seriously challenged by West Adelaide at Stratarama Stadium, but the manner of their response in the 10-point win justifies their favouritism for the flag.

The presence of Jessica Bates in the midfield is the key factor in the Tigers being two games clear at the top of the ladder with five rounds remaining. Despite being minded by Olivia Smith, Bates had 35 possessions and she is averaging more than 30 a game.

The Bloods bagged three goals from their first four entries inside 50 to lead by 13 points at quarter time. Zoe Venning was her usual self, gathering plenty of possessions to spark the visitors.

Eloise Mackereth kicked the only goal of the second term to eat into the deficit and the Tigers hit the front when they bagged the first two goals of the third quarter.

The scores were locked together at three-quarter and it was the Tigers who had the answers with the next two goals.