SANFL’s ZAC MILBANK breaks down all you need to know about the Redlegs heading into the 2021 Statewide Super Women’s League season.
Finished – 4th
Record – 5 wins, 3 losses, 2 draws (minor round)
Club Champions – Matilda Zander and Sophie Armitstead
Best First Year Player – Mattea Breed
The Advertiser SANFLW Team of the Year – Matilda Zander (forward pocket), Rhiannon Busch (back pocket), Mattea Breed (interchange)
Coming
Adrienne Davies (North Adelaide), Gabby Gormlie (Blackfriars), Tesharna Maher (Woodville-West Torrens), Grace Smallacombe (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 (Wanderers NT), Lana Schwerdt (Glenunga)
Going
Jo Hill (Retired), Michelle Reid (Retired), Monique Hollick (Athletics), Bek McMahon (Maternity Leave), Bella Smith (Collingwood AFLW), Matilda Zander (Collingwood VFLW), Taylor Glover (West Adelaide), Rhiannon Busch (Southern Districts NT), Ellen D’Allesandro (Melbourne), Tessa Hankinson (Queensland), Alannah Rochow (South Adelaide), Chloe Meyers (West Adelaide)
Round 1
Friday February 26
v West at Coopers Stadium from 7.45pm
Round 2
Friday March 5
v South at Flinders University Stadium from 6.30pm
Round 3
Friday March 12
v Sturt at Coopers Stadium from 7.45pm
Round 4
Saturday March 20
v North at Coopers Stadium from 12pm
Round 5
Saturday March 27
v Glenelg at Coopers Stadium from 12pm
Round 6
Saturday April 3
v Eagles at Adelaide Oval from 2pm
Round 7
Friday April 16
v North at Coopers Stadium from 6pm
Round 8
Saturday April 24
v West at Hisense Stadium from 3.10pm
Round 9
Saturday May 1
v South at Coopers Stadium from 6.40pm
Round 10
Friday May 7
v Central at Coopers Stadium from 6.30pm
Round 11
Saturday May 15
v Eagles at ACH Group Stadium from 10.30am
Norwood coach Mat Creeper couldn’t be more excited by the arrival of former Eagle Tesharna Maher. A natural footballer, the 19-year-old is the daughter of SA Women’s football trailblazer Bronwyn Davey and NT star Kelvin Maher. Used primarily in defence by the Eagles, Maher can expect to be released into the midfield and attack, where she has the opportunity to display her exceptional speed and ability to elude tackles.
It’s fair to say Emma Clark didn’t expect to be back at The Parade but now she couldn’t be happier to return in the red and blue. After playing one SANFLW game in 2019, she went back to Tea Tree Gully last year where she honed her craft to the point she earned a recall for 2021. The small midfielder has impressed in the trial matches and is ready to make her mark this season.
Alana Lishmund – Developing nicely as a wing or across half-forward. Has exceptional skills and endurance, willing listener.
Sarah Branford – The former Adelaide United train-on soccer player has shown her resilience in the clinches. Very tough.
Jade Halfpenny – Quick off the mark, Halfpenny is known for her ”bucket-like” hands to reel in contested marks.
Jess Williams -Inside midfielder has been recovering from a knee injury during summer. Finds the ball easily by running to dangerous spots.