Novita SANFL Wheelchair League Rounds One and Two Match Wraps

By JORDAN ROUTLEY

Woodville-West Torrens def by Norwood via forfeit (Round One)

Player unavailability forced Woodville-West Torrens to forfeit the grand final rematch against Norwood in the opening round of the 2025 Novita SANFL Wheelchair League season.

Injuries along with star players Cooper Spillane and Kane Downie currently in Brazil competing in the U23 wheelchair basketball world championships, the Eagles were unable to meet the points classification needed to constitute a match.

As a result, the Redlegs were officially credited with a 39-point win to reflect the scores of the other match that round and gave them four premiership points.

It ensured that the Redlegs would get their campaign off to a winning start as they attempted to avenge last year’s grand final loss to the Eagles and claim their first Wheelchair League flag.

Fortunately for the fans in attendance, the clubs were able to put on an unofficial practice match, with Norwood winning 14.11. (95) to 2.1. (13).

As was expected with the Eagles’ shortage of players, Norwood dominated the game from start to finish, with a nine-goal opening half all but sealing the contest by the main break.

The Redlegs’ revamped line-up started the new season in fine style, with marquee recruit Jamie Smyth scoring six goals from 20 disposals in his club debut.

Captain Grant Leonard and Michael Neroni both scored four goals, while Chris Simpson gathered a team-high 22 disposals at 91 per cent efficiency.

Eagles’ captain Trevor Jarrett was outstanding for his undermanned side, gathering 39 disposals, 31 marks and 17 hit outs.

Langdon Williams was the Eagles’ only goal scorer with two majors, while Adam Stehniak and Simon Albury were busy in defence.

Central District 11.8.(74) def West Adelaide 5.5.(35) (Round One)

West Adelaide was gallant in its first-ever Novita SANFL Wheelchair League match but was ultimately overpowered by Central District in a 39-point defeat.

Joining the competition in place of Sturt this season, the Bloods played with two fewer rotations but showed plenty of heart in a credible first-up showing.

West was outplayed for most of the first half and trailed by 39 points early in the third term, but an improved defensive output in the second half ensured the margin didn’t blow out any further.

Central District, who is aiming to return to the grand final after missing out in 2024, got its season off to a positive start and played some impressive football.

Star Bulldog Shaun Whitbread was instrumental for his team, gathering 43 disposals and 17 marks to go with an outstanding goal in the last quarter.

Stewart Webster was the Bulldogs’ key playmaker in attack, scoring eight of his team’s 11 goals as his height and strength proved too much for the West Adelaide defenders.

Former Sturt player Henry de Cure scored a quality goal in his first match since crossing from the Blues, while Mick Platten also contributed a major from limited minutes.

Darren Peters played in all three thirds across the night and finished with 21 disposals, while James Barker and Lloyd Banwell were almost impassable in defence as they registered 19 and 17 disposals respectively.

New captain Jack Bilsborrow led the way superbly for West Adelaide, collecting 31 disposals, nine clearances and three goals as he used his speed and skills to great effect.

Another former Sturt player Giang Danh enjoyed a terrific debut as West Adelaide player-coach, amassing 40 disposals, 21 marks and a goal to have an impact across all three thirds.

Darren Mysko worked hard in the centre all night for 37 disposals and 11 hit outs, while Josh Wilson took some strong grabs but unfortunately couldn’t finish his work with two behinds.

Norwood 5.8.(38) def by Central District 8.6.(54) (Round Two)

Central District moved to the top of the ladder with a hard-fought 16-point victory over Norwood in a quality contest on Friday night.

A highly contested affair for most of the night, both sides applied terrific pressure and gave their opponent minimal space to work in.

It took the Bulldogs almost nine minutes to score the game’s first goal and only major for the quarter before a six-goal burst across the second and third terms put them in control.

Trailing by 30 points at the final change, Norwood mounted a late charge with three quick goals, but it was ultimately in vain.

The Bulldogs were best served by star midfielder and captain Shaun Whitbread, who tallied 36 disposals and 21 marks as he often got the ball moving for his side.

Stewart Webster continued his fine start to the year with a bag of six goals, along with a series of impressive contested marks, as he proved hard for the Norwood defenders to stop.

Darren Peters controlled the backline with great surety and picked up 27 disposals, while James Barker competed strongly in defence and had some important moments that halted Norwood’s attack.

Mick Platten had an instant impact with two quick goals in the third quarter that electrified the crowd and helped put a gap between the two sides.

Recruit Jamie Smyth was a constant presence in attack for the Redlegs and finished with three high-class goals, while skipper Grant Leonard fought hard and scored one major from 15 disposals.

Chris Simpson was busy in defence and racked up a team-high 22 disposals for Norwood, whilst his son Nathan applied plenty of pressure to go with his 15 disposals.

Michael Neroni was switched from his usual forward position to offer support in defence late in the game and finished with 15 disposals and nine marks.

Woodville-West Torrens 23.6.(144) def West Adelaide 1.2.(8) (Round Two)

Woodville-West Torrens earned a dominant 136-point win over West Adelaide in their first official match of the season after being forced to forfeit in Round 1.

With star players Adam Roocke, Steve Edge and Soraj Habib back in the line-up, the Eagles were at their very best in a sparkling display of football.

The Eagles’ blistering speed around the court and skill with ball in hand set them apart as they piled on 23 goals while restricting the Bloods to just one major for the night.

After playing in the midfield in last week’s practice match, Trevor Jarrett returned to the forward line and bagged an incredible 17 goals as he proved unstoppable with his contested marking.

He also worked up the court later in the game and passed off several scoring opportunities to teammates in better positions, collecting 38 disposals and 28 marks.

Forward line partner Edge also got in on the action to score six goals from 22 disposals and 19 marks, including three majors in the final term.

Roocke was in sublime form in the centre, amassing an astounding 58 disposals, 35 marks, 17 hit outs and seven clearances as he controlled the game from the outset.

Habib was another valuable inclusion in defence with his speed and proactive play, setting up countless attacks with his 36 disposals, 19 marks and 12 forward entries.

Simon Albury was steady at the back and halted several West Adelaide attacks with his intercept work as he finished with 14 disposals.

Player-coach Giang Danh played across all three thirds and fought valiantly for West Adelaide under extreme pressure, gathering 15 disposals and seven marks at 93% efficiency.

Captain Jack Bilsborow also worked hard for his side and won some quality clearances, while Darren Mysko competed well in the centre and won nine hit outs.

Tony Wade was a valuable addition in defence and cleared the danger on several occasions, while Fabio Savoia provided the moment of the night with a late goal that had the crowd on their feet.