SANFLW Season Launch

The SANFL officially launched the SANFL Women’s season at an event at the Adelaide Oval on Wednesday.

Norwood gets its SANFLW season underway this Saturday evening with a trip down to Noarlunga, taking on South Adelaide in a Grand Final rematch at Magain Stadium. The Round 1 match will start at 6pm on Saturday, March 15.

The Development League match between the Redlegs and Panthers will be played prior from 4pm.

Despite the weather expected to reach the high 30s, Norwood co-captain Stephanie Simmonds couldn’t be more excited to swap the running shoes for footy boots and get the season underway.

“We’re very keen, the girls are up and about,” she said.

“We’re ready for the pre-season running to be put to the test, we’re glad that pre-season is over. There were some grueling sessions, which teaches us resilience. Hopefully our hard work will get the job done on Saturday.”

Simmonds said her side was ready to take on the reigning premiers.

“There is no better way to get the season started, against the reigning premiers, the best in the league. We want to prove that its our turn this year,” Simmonds said.

“They are a great club, this will be a great Round 1 match up.”

Norwood coach Brad Ferrall was excited for the season ahead, going into his second year in charge of the SANFLW squad.

“We’re excited to come up against South, it will be a challenge, they are the benchmark of the comp,” he said.

“For us its all eyes forward, we can’t worry about what happened in July last year. We are looking forward to 2025.”

“We are fit, had some great development from some of our younger players which is great.”

Ferrall said the Tasmanian trial game was great preparation.

“I’m not sure that another Trial game would have brought the heat as much as that Tassie game,” he said.

“It almost felt like the Tassie team brought Grand Final like intensity, it meant a lot to them, it was great preparation. Lets bring that into South Adelaide on Saturday night.”

Ferrall said the likes of Lana Schwerdt and Kiana Lee had taken their game to new heights over this off season.

“Lana’s had her best pre-season so I am looking forward to seeing her Round 1, and Kiana brought her own footy in Tassie. Those two are going well,” he said.

The Development League side started their season three weeks ago, and are off to an undefeated start. The Redlegs are on top of the ladder having defeated Central District and Glenelg.