Sophie shines to 50 SANFLW games

By ZAC MILBANK

Norwood’s Sophie Armitstead is the first to admit she was unsure if she would be successful playing Australian Football.

Growing up in Darwin playing sports such as Touch Football, the Redlegs’ vice-captain was invited by friends to give footy a try at training.

Since then, the 27-year-old has thrived as she prepares to play her 50th Hostplus SANFLW League game against Sturt at Wigan Oval on Saturday.

Speaking on SANFL Radio, Armitstead revealed she has shown great resilience in overcoming an ACL injury to her knee, followed by a torn meniscus in the same knee while making her AFLW debut with Adelaide in 2017.

The versatile utility, who has largely played in the midfield and defence, managed four AFLW games with the Crows before landing at The Parade in 2019.

Armitstead is now in her third season as vice-captain and has won the club’s SANFLW Best and Fairest award in the past two seasons.

Now all that is left is to taste the team success she craves by helping her side win the 2022 Hostplus SANFLW League premiership.