South Adelaide coach Rick Watts will be looking to guide his team into the Hostplus SANFLW League Grand Final again this season. Picture - SAFC Media
SANFL’s ZAC MILBANK breaks down all you need to know about the Panthers heading into the 2025 Hostplus SANFL Women’s League season.
Finished – 1st
Record – 11 wins, 3 losses (Minor Round)
2 wins, 0 losses (Finals)
Best and Fairest – Nikki Nield
Runner Up – Jordann Hickey
Third Place – Esther Schirmer
Leading Goalkicker
Emily Brockhurst – 26 goals
Flinders University Most Improved
Emily Brockhurst
Trademark Award
Jordann Hickey
Coaches Award
Mel Anderson
Rising Star
Layla Vizgaudis
The Advertiser SANFLW Team of the Year – Esther Schirmer (Full Back), Soriah Moon (Ruck), Emily Brockhurst (Forward Pocket), Nikki Nield (Ruck Rover), Jordann Hickey (Interchange), Rick Watts (Coach)
2024 South Adelaide best-and-fairest Nikki Nield.
COMING
Tamika May (West Adelaide/Blackwood), Molly Jenkins (McLaren Districts), Jaidee-Lee Shortridge (Cove), Indi Miller (Goolwa/Port Elliott), Meg McGuiness (Pinktails/Alice Springs)
GOING
Nikki Nield (retired), Bri Cleggett (retired), Gypsy Schirmer (Sturt), Eqxelle Evans (Sturt)
Premiership utility Lily Baxter gets her handball out at preseason training. Picture – Cory Sutton
Saturday February 22
South Adelaide v Sturt at Magain Stadium from 12.30pm
Saturday March 1
South Adelaide v Woodville-West Torrens at Magain Stadium from 12.30pm
For just the second year, South Adelaide didn’t lose any players through the AFLW Draft.
Despite there not being a significant need to recruit, the Panthers couldn’t go past the opportunity to land the signature of tall utility Tamika May.
Measuring in at 176cm, May can not only play as a roaming key forward, she is equally adept at pinch-hitting in the ruck.
The 22-year-old was unable to manage a SANFLW League game for West Adelaide last year but with 13 senior matches under her belt, she is now ready to blossom in a new environment.
Tamika May will offer the Panthers great versatility in 2025. Picture – Cory Sutton
It’s not often a player can earn two senior premiership medals in the same season but that’s exactly what the talented Taya Maxwell achieved in 2024.
The Panthers’ teenager featured in her team’s Development League victory before playing a vital role in South’s redeeming Hostplus SANFLW League win against Norwood.
Lining up for South Australia’s U16 side last year, Maxwell is tuning up to play a role through the midfield in 2025 as coach Rick Watts looks to fill the midfield void left by Nikki Nield with multiple options.
Measuring in at 185cm, the Reynella product is one to watch at Noarlunga in 2025.
Taya Maxwell (far right) taps the ball at a ruck contest during preseason training.
Picture – Cory Sutton
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