Norwood wins inaugural AAMI Talent League Girls Grand Final

4 May 2026

By ALEXANDRA BULL

Norwood created history on Sunday, defeating Central District by 22 points to claim the inaugural AAMI Talent League Girls premiership at X Convenience Oval. 

After cruising to a 47-point victory over South Adelaide the week prior, the Redlegs were hot favourites with the Dogs having to fight for their spot in the grand final with a one-point win over the Double Blues.

The two teams previously met in Round 3 at Richmond Oval, with Central having a huge 59-point win over Norwood, but it was a different tale this time at the Ponderosa.

Della McCracken opened the scoring for the Redlegs, with Doggies’ Annelise Lovell and Norwood’s Amelia Kelly also finding the goals in the first quarter – the Redlegs taking a one-goal buffer into the first break.

Kailee Colbung-Ware and Taylah Pearson combined for two goals in the second quarter, as the Redlegs made the most of their 28 inside 50s.

The Redlegs’ goals kept on coming – McCracken kicking her second before Lilian Thomas kicked two in a row, soccering her first and two minutes later doing almost the same thing to extend the lead out to 35 points.

Bulldog Sophie Bevis broke the run of Norwood goals with an excellent running goal later in the third term, with teammate Tara Lord kicking Central’s third late in the fourth term to bring the final margin to 22 points.

Norwood’s Ella Anderson was judged best afield, the midfielder recording 25 disposals, six clearances, six inside 50s and five tackles in her side’s victory.

Emmerson Lihou (10 tackles) was relentless with her pressure, with Mia Wood (21 disposals, seven clearances), and Amelia Kelly (21 disposals) among some of the best performers in an historic victory for Norwood.

Sienna Antony starred for Central with 29 disposals, nine tackles and seven clearances, and was well supported by Indianna Nelson (18 disposals, 22 hit outs, eight clearances, six inside 50s), Ella Sergi (10 tackles), and Amalia Musolino (15 disposals, six rebound 50s) .