SANFLW Teams: Round 10

Norwood has a big challenge on its hands when it takes on the top of the table Glenelg at Prospect Oval this Saturday in Round 10 of the SANFL Women’s League. 

The Tigers have dropped just the one game across the opening nine matches, and sit two games clear on top of the SANFLW Ladder.

The Bays are the big improver in 2024, having missed the finals last season.

Norwood coach Brad Ferrall said his side was ready to take on the benchmark team.

“The last time we played them, we really pushed them and went down by under a goal, and hopefully we can go one step better on Saturday,” he said.

“They have a lot of talent on their list, they are a good side and well coached.”

It’s another big game for the Redlegs, who sit fourth with a 5-4 win-loss record. Last week’s win over North Adelaide returned Norwood to the top four, taking West Adelaide’s place on percentage, with both sides chalking the five wins thus far.

Norwood’s percentage is far superior than the Bloods (59.54% to 46.92%), with the Redlegs enjoying the second best percentage in the League behind the second placed South Adelaide (61.04%).

Percentage proves important late in the season, when finals spots are on the line.

The Redlegs run home includes Glenelg (currently first), Central District (third), Woodville-West Torrens (sixth), Sturt (seventh) and West Adelaide (fifth).

“We play the teams we are battling with for finals spots in the run home, so it’s up to us to get the job done,” Ferrall said.

This weekend, Norwood will be looking to string together three consecutive wins for the first time this year, following victories against South (25 points) and North (29 points) in recent weeks.

“Over the last couple of weeks we are playing more like what we want to play, and hopefully we can keep that going,” Ferrall said.

“We have been in every single game we have played – our largest losing margin has been nine points which suggests we aren’t far away.

“Our ball movement has improved as the season has gone on, it’s been a focus of ours and our pressure especially over the last two weeks has been at a standard that we hadn’t reached early in the year.

“Our percentage is impressive, we have been in every game, we just need to make sure we close out each game and understand the game situation.”

Emma Clark comes into the side, with Amelia Rusden out (Away).

Norwood will need a plan for Glenelg’s Jessica Bates, who leads the competition in disposals, clearances and tackles, averaging 32 touches, seven clearances and 12 tackles per game.

“We’d be silly to ignore the form Bates is in, she’s a very good footballer, but the reason why they are so good is that she is very well supported in the midfield, and at both ends of the ground” Ferrall said.

“They have a lot of talent across the board.”

Ferrall said he had been impressed with the form of a lot of his players.

“Jade Halfpenny has been great for us, we have thrown her around a lot – she’s played forward, midfield, ruck and she’s done a really good job at whatever role we throw at her,” Ferrall said.

“Tahlita Buethke has been really good as well, she’s built into the season nicely. She worked hard over the off-season and come back to play some really good footy.

“Candice Belbin from Tassie, she’s moved her life across to play at Norwood and she’s been exceptional. Kiana Lee is our leading goal kicker from the wing, and Amelia Rusden as a small forward, Emily Bartsch down back has been outstanding. We have had a lot of great role players.”

Norwood’s game on Saturday is part of a SANFLW double header at Prospect, with North Adelaide taking on Woodville-West Torrens from 11am to kick the day off, before the Norwood V Glenelg game at 1:20pm.