AAMI Talent League Girls Match Wraps – Semi Finals

27 April 2026

By ALEXANDRA BULL

Norwood is through to the Grand Final of the AAMI Talent League Girls after defeating South Adelaide by 47 points at X Convenience Oval.

Lillian Thomas got off to a flying start for the Redlegs, kicking three consecutive goals, before the Panthers got on the board via Zoe Flesfadar.

Della McCracken and Isla Wigzell also found the goals in the first term for Norwood, with the eventual grand finalists heading into the first break 23 points up.

South’s Molly Jenkins and Jaidee-Lee Shortridge kicked back-to-back goals for the Panthers to bring the margin back to 11 points midway through the second quarter, however, it was short-lived as Taylah Pearson kicked a huge major to extend the margin back out to 17 points at the main break.

The Redlegs then went on to kick four unanswered goals from Kailee Colbung-Ware, Pearson, Cheslea Marshall and captain Molly Sennar, ensuring they would storm into the inaugural AAMI Talent League Girls Grand Final against Central District.

Fresh off her selection in the 2026 Marsh AFL National Development Championships U16 Girls All-Australian Team, Norwood’s Mia Wood put on a clinic with 23 disposals, 11 clearances, and four tackles, with Ella Anderson (20 disposals), Pearson (five marks, three inside 50s), and Della McCracken (16 disposals, six inside 50s) all excellent for the Redlegs.

Flesfadar (24 disposals, six tackles), Alexis Harvey (10 tackles), Emmerson Warren (five marks), and Lily Dunstall-Bruce (17 disposals, three clearances) were among the best for the Panthers as they bowed out of finals.

Norwood will face minor premier Central District in the AAMI Talent League Girls Grand Final this Sunday, 3 May, from 10:30am at X Convenience Oval.

Central District defeated Sturt by one point in a thriller at X Convenience Oval to advance through to the AAMI Talent League Girls Grand Final. 

Inaccurate kicking cost the Double Blues, with Central recording 80 per cent scoring accuracy compared to Sturt’s 33 per cent.

Central’s Annelise Lovell kicked the first major of the day, before Isabella Gray converted from the goal square to give her side a two-point break heading into quarter time.

Tara Lord kicked back-to-back goals for the Dogs, with Jessie Merrigan converting from a free kick to reduce the margin to four points at half-time.

Central’s Annelise Lovell was the lone goal scorer in the third term with the game seemingly said and done at three quarter time. But the Double Blues weren’t going down without a fight.

Merrigan kicked her second for the Double Blues to bring the margin back to four points, but it was not to be for Sturt as it struggled to convert – kicking three points to go down by one point to the minor premier.

Izabella Nisbet was up to her usual tricks for the Dogs, notching up 28 disposals, six marks, 11 tackles, and nine clearances, and was well supported by Sienna Antony (24 disposals, 12 tackles), Amalia Musolino (17 disposals, 14 rebound 50s), and Sophie Bevis (20 disposals, four clearances).

Layla May (15 disposals, 13 tackles), Aaliyah Fox (20 disposals, nine tackles, eight inside 50s), Isabel Smart (22 disposals, six inside 50s), and Lola Beveridge (35 hit outs), all worked hard to get the Double Blues over the line.

Central District will host Norwood in the AAMI Talent League Girls Grand Final this Sunday, 3 May, from 10:30am at X Convenience Oval.