SANFLW Grand Final Teams

Norwood is in the hunt for its second SANFLW Premiership when it takes on South Adelaide in this Saturday’s SANFLW Grand Final at Norwood’s Coopers Stadium.

The Grand Final will get underway at 4:05pm on Saturday, July 6 at Norwood Oval. Click here for tickets.

The Redlegs have named an un-changed side to take on the Panthers, backing in the team that defeated Glenelg by 19 points in last Saturday’s Preliminary Final.

Norwood won the inaugural SANFLW Grand Final in 2017, and also played in the 2018 decider which was won by South Adelaide.

Nicola Burns is the only Norwood player remaining at the club from the 2017 Premiership side.

The Panthers are participating in their record breaking fifth grand final, and will be looking to add a third SANFLW Premiership Trophy to the cabinet, having won in 2018 and 2019.

South finished runners up in 2020 and 2023, losing last year’s Grand Final to Central District.

The Panthers finished on top of the SANFLW ladder in 2024, but the Redlegs won’t fear the minor premiers, having defeated South on both occasions this season.

Norwood claimed two of South’s three losses in Season 2024, and by considerable margins. On a stinking hot day at Noarlunga in Round 2 Norwood claimed a 20-point 6.9-45 to 3.7-25 victory away from home.

Norwood backed it up on its come deck in Round 8, securing a 4.4-28 to 0.3-3 win over South, keeping the Panthers goalless for the first time in their seven-season SANFLW history.

The Redlegs finished the home and away season fourth, having to win their Round 14 match against West Adelaide to even qualify for finals.

Norwood defeated Westies by six points in Round 14, and then had a five-point win over the Bulldogs in the Elimination Semi Final, before claiming a 8.7-55 to 5.6-36 Preliminary Final win over the Tigers.

Norwood co-captain Sophie Armitstead said that it took a while to sink in that her side was going to play in the Grand Final.

“We couldn’t believe it, considering that we almost didn’t make finals – we had to win our last game just to qualify, and now to be in the Grand Final is something pretty special,” she said.

“Grand Finals don’t come around very often, this is my first SANFLW Grand Final in five years at the club, so to make one is special – therefore we have to remember to enjoy it and everything that comes with it.

“We have confidence, and a great belief within our team that we can match it with South. We are looking forward to the weekend.”

Fellow Norwood co-captain Steph Simmonds said she was proud of her side.

“We have fought really hard just to get here, I am really proud of all the girls,” Simmonds said.

“We treated our Round 14 game as a final, that was our attitude.

“To make it all the way through the finals, and to the big dance is an unbelievable representation of our determination.”

Simmonds has fond memories of the Preliminary Final win over Glenelg at Glenelg Oval.

“It was the most joyous feeling, it was euphoric,” Simmonds said.

“We have composed ourselves now and we have enjoyed the week.”

Simmonds said the SANFLW squad have been inspired by Ashleigh Young (Norwood female football coordinator, who tragically passed away in December) throughout the season, and particularly during the recent finals series.

“She’s been a special part of our lives, no matter how long or short you knew her for,” she said.

“We were very blessed to have her in our lives at our football club, she supported us so much.

“Hopefully we can do her proud and win the flag on Saturday.”