Woodville-West Torrens crowned 2025 Novita SANFL Wheelchair League champions

By JORDAN ROUTLEY

Woodville-West Torrens claimed back-to-back Novita SANFL Wheelchair League premierships with a 49-point victory over Norwood at The Lights Community and Sports Centre on Friday night.

The bumper crowd in attendance was treated to a quality spectacle between the two standout teams of the competition this season, with the contest remaining close for much of the game.

The victory completes another undefeated season for the all-conquering Eagles, who have not lost an official match since the 2023 decider against Sturt.

While Norwood fell short at the final hurdle for the second year running, they can at least take solace in keeping the Eagles to their lowest score and closest margin of victory for the season.

The Redlegs’ score of 8.2.(50) was also the highest score the Eagles conceded in 2025, with the runners-up putting together some quality passages of play throughout the evening.

Star Eagles centre Adam Roocke was deservingly named as the Player of the Match following another terrific display, gathering 57 disposals, 48 marks, 17 hit outs and 12 score assists.

Continuing his red-hot run of form across the season, Roocke worked tirelessly across the court to set up countless Eagles attacks with his quick movement and precise passing.

Trevor Jarrett was again instrumental for the Eagles in attack, scoring 11 goals from 27 disposals and causing the Norwood defence plenty of issues with his marking and accuracy.

Wayne Hale (30 disposals, 22 marks) made some important contributions down back and featured prominently with his composed and measured ball use when exiting defence.

Soraj Habib (27 disposals, 21 marks) was also valuable in defence as he continually set up attacking forays for his team and also played a crucial close-checking role on Jamie Smyth throughout the contest.

Steve Edge (four goals) fought strongly in attack and worked hard to find space in the forward zone, while Isobella Nitschke provided one of the highlights of the night with a superb mark and goal in the final quarter.

Star recruit Jamie Smyth again proved his worth for Norwood with another stellar game in attack, scoring seven goals from 16 disposals to keep his side in the game early.

Chirs Simpson (14 disposals, 11 marks, four clearances) was productive in defence and worked hard up the court to get involved in the Redlegs’ offensive forays, while Richard Davis competed strongly down back and made some crucial saves throughout the game.

Rick Leonard produced a valiant effort in the centre opposed to Roocke and impacted at each end of the court, while captain Grant Leonard also toiled valiantly in the front half and contributed nine disposals and a goal.

Earlier in the night, West Adelaide broke through for their maiden Novita SANFL Wheelchair League victory in a dramatic third-place playoff against Central District.

Without a win during the regular season despite playing some terrific football at different stages, the plucky Bloods were finally rewarded for their efforts in a determined display.

Trailing by as much as 25 points midway through the third term, West Adelaide showed tremendous fight to keep themselves in the contest going into the last quarter.

Still down by 11 points with only 90 seconds remaining, West continued to press forward, with two quick goals from player/coach Giang Danh giving them the lead.

After defending grimly at the final ball-up, Hallam Chitty put the icing on the cake with a sharp finish in the dying seconds to make sure of the historic victory.

Danh, who has played across all three thirds during the season, was stationed largely in attack and proved the matchwinner with 11 goals from 27 disposals and 19 marks.

Using his pace and skill to great effect in the forward zone, Danh produced some miraculous goals throughout the night, including a sensational no-look shot over his head in the third term that had everyone in disbelief.

Tony Wade (27 disposals, 19 marks) once again fought valiantly as an undersized centreman and worked hard to be a major contributor at both ends of the court.

Hallam Chitty chipped in with two important goals to go with 23 disposals and 15 marks while also spending some time in the centre in the second term.

Jake Bilsborow (21 disposals, 11 forward entries) was busy in defence, making some crucial stops while also offering plenty of rebound from the backline with his attacking ball use.

Belinda Rutherford competed strongly in her match-up with Central danger man Stewart Webster, while Johnny Phanratry had some big moments in attack as well as an impressive goal in the second term.

The Bulldogs were again led superbly by co-captain Shaun Whibread, who split his time between the forward line and centre to finish with 46 disposals, 11 hit outs, 12 clearances, 16 forward entries, 10 score assists and four goals in a tireless effort.

Stewart Webster put in another terrific display as the main target in attack, scoring eight goals from 25 disposals and 23 marks as his strength and work rate up the court proved difficult to stop.

Jason Tippins returned to the line-up and played some important minutes in the centre to tally 18 disposals and 16 marks, with his competitiveness in the ruck duels sparking numerous attacking opportunities.

James Barker (13 disposals, nine marks) held up superbly in defence and remained resolute in the one-on-one battles, while Henry de Cure also had some key moments behind the footy with his blocking and spoiling.