Round 7 Statewide Super Women’s League Weekend Wash-up

By ZAC MILBANK

Norwood announced itself as the 2021 Statewide Super Women’s League premiership favourite with a rousing 31-point win against North Adelaide at Coopers Stadium.

After losing in Round 1, the Redlegs have now won their past six matches in succession, culminating in an emphatic victory against last year’s undefeated premier, who could manage just 1.2 (8).

Round 5 Powerade Breakthrough Player Emma Clark racked up 19 disposals, four tackles and three clearances while Sachi Syme collected 17 possessions while being one of five goal scorers for the hosts.

North’s Brianna Arthur led the way for her team with 15 disposals while Katelyn Pope had 13 in her return from AFLW duty with the West Coast Eagles.

Sturt shocked West Adelaide with a first-half blitz en route to a 45-point win at Unley Oval.

Having managed just one win for the season going into the Round 7 contest, the Double Blues slammed on 7.2 to the Bloods’ 0.2 in the opening two quarters.

Jess Good was a standout in the ruck for the hosts with 16 disposals and a goal, feeding her midfielders nicely to allow Izzy Kuiper (20 disposals) and Alisha Gepp (17 disposals) to shine. Sturt’s Nicole Baker booted three goals.

West’s Madi Russell was her team’s leading disposal-winner with 14 while Richmond AFLW recruit Sarah Dargan managed 13 touches and nine tackles in her SANFLW debut with the Bloods.

Glenelg was made to sweat for its narrow three-point win against Central District at ACH Group Stadium.

Coasting toward victory with a 21-point lead five minutes into the final term, the Tigers conceded the next three goals to the Bulldogs, who were unable to take the lead with 77 seconds remaining.

The Bays’ got strong service from Tessa Kohn with 16 disposals and eight tackles while Jessica Bates laid a game-high 10 tackles to go with her 14 touches as Chelsea Packer and Sarah Witton each booted two goals.

Central captain Shelby Smith was the leading possession-winner on the ground with 19 while Chantelle Reynolds extended her lead in the race for the SANFLW goal kicking trophy with another pair, taking her tally for the season to 12.

South Adelaide showed tremendous resilience to steal a nine-point win from Woodville-West Torrens at Maughan Thiem Kia Oval.

Trailing at every change, the Panthers didn’t hit the front until Jorja Hooper saluted with her second major three minutes into the fourth term.

South premiership captain Lauren Buchanan, who came out of retirement to face the Eagles, then goaled in the 12th minute to give the visitors a well-deserved victory.

Czenya Cavouras found plenty of the ball for South with 26 disposals, six tackles and a goal while the Eagles were well served by Jovanka Zecevic, who racked up 26 possessions and a major.