SANFLW Season Guide: All you need to know

Brush up on your Redlegs knowledge ahead of Round One:

Coach: Mat Creeper

2021 Captain: Ali Ferrall

2021 Vice-Captain: Sophie Armitstead

2020 Best and Fairest: Matilda Zander and Sophie Armitstead

2020 in a nutshell: Norwood’s 2020 campaign was a year like no other. After starting the season with one win, one draw and two losses, the season came to halt due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To the credit of all of the teams, the season restarted three months later which saw Norwood gain revenge over the Dogs after their Round one loss. The Redlegs went onto finish the minor round season in third, which saw them set up a Semi-Final clash with the Bloods at Thebarton Oval. Unfortunately for Norwood, they fell by 43-points which saw that result put an end to the 2020 season. First-year Coach Chris Howie departed Norwood at seasons end, which saw the club appoint former Assistant Coach from 2019 Mat Creeper as head coach.

New players: Adrienne Davies (North Adelaide), Gabby Gormlie –  (Blackfriars), Tesharna Maher – (Woodville West Torrens), Grace Smallacome – (Woodville West Torrens), Tess Maple – (Sturt), Jess Meachin – (Payneham Norwood Union), Jenny Frost – (Payneham Norwood Union), Kassandra Stroh – (SMOSH), Elizabeth Drake – Edwardstown/Australian Army, Sarah Branford – Old Ignatians, Celestina Dona – (Morphettville Park), Cammie Williams – (Morphettville Park), Michelle Heath – (Athelstone), Morgan Johnston – Wanders (Darwin), Lana Schwerdt (Glenunga)

Departures: Jo Hill (Retired), Michelle Reid (Retired), Monique Hollick (Athletics), Bek McMahon – (Family Commitments), Bella Smith (Collingwood AFLW), Matilda Zander (Collingwood VFLW), Taylor Glover (West Adelaide), Rhiannon Busch (Southern Districts, Darwin), Ellen D’Allesandro – Melbourne, Tessa Hankinson (QLD), Alannah Rochow (South Adelaide)

2020 opponents: West Adelaide (H), South Adelaide (A), Sturt (H), North Adelaide (A), Glenelg (H), Eagles (Adelaide Oval), North Adelaide (H), West Adelaide (A), South Adelaide (H), Central (H), Eagles (A).

Circle it: West Adelaide defeated the Redlegs by 43-points in the 2020 Semi-Final. Norwood will be motivated to turn that result when they face each other in the opening round at Coopers Stadium.

Player to watch: Alana Lishmund. Lishmund featured prominently for Norwood in her debut season at the Parade. In her draft year in 2021, Lishmund has built her engine in the offseason under new High-Performance Manager Taylah Jack. Expect Lishmund to spend more time in the middle of the ground after playing as predominant forward last season.

2021 prediction: There is plenty to look forward to with Norwood in 2021, as a change of coach can mean many things. The Legs despite losing plenty of talent in the draft will look to give girls an opportunity to earn a spot in the 2021 team. They welcome back inaugural player Tess Maple, North Adelaide recruit Adrienne Davies and still have experience within side through Leah Cutting and Sophie Armitstead. Not only does Norwood possess experience, but also have some fantastic youngsters coming through the ranks with Jade Halfpenny and Alana Lishmund featuring prominently for Norwood in 2020. Expect Norwood to be aggressive with their ball movement playing a real direct style of football.