Determined Davies reaches 50 SANFLW games

By ZAC MILBANK

Persistence, patience and a stint at Payneham.

They have all been major factors behind Norwood’s Adrienne Davies reaching her 50th Hostplus SANFLW League game in Saturday’s Preliminary Final against Glenelg.

After making her SANFLW League debut in Round 1 of 2019 for North Adelaide, ironically against Norwood, Davies has overcome two junctures in her career which could have forced her into premature retirement.

Having played 13 games in her debut season with the Roosters, the 31-year-old found it tough to break into North’s star-studded undefeated premiership team in 2020.

This sparked a move to The Parade in 2021, when Davies found her niche playing in defence across 10 games.

But after only managing seven games across 2022 and 2023, including just one last season, the aspiring player manager decided to play for Payneham under the guidance of Redlegs champion Garry McIntosh.

Speaking on SANFL Radio, Davies said this experience reignited her confidence as she was also provided great freedom by Norwood coach Brad Ferrall to blossom inside attacking 50m.

As a result, Norwood’s No.8 has booted 13 goals in 13 games this season as she heads into the cut-throat clash with the Tigers desperate to play in another Grand Final, after succumbing to the Panthers in 2019.