2021 SANFLW Team of the Year named: Norwood dominates the side with five stars selected

The 2021 Advertiser SANFLW Team of the Year has been announced — one club dominates the side with five players named. See which stars made the cut.

Daniela Abbracciavento

@Dani_Abbra4

3 min read

June 2, 2021 - 4:03PM

The Messenger

Norwood’s Jade Halfpenny, West Adelaide’s Lauren Young and Glenelg skipper Ellie Kellock have been named in the 2021 Advertiser SANFLW Team of the Year.

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The 2021 SANFL Statewide Super Women’s League campaign reached all sorts of highs with the competition returning to normal after a year interrupted by the coronavirus.

There were double-headers with the men’s clashes, matches for premiership points were played at Adelaide Oval for the first time in the competition’s history and two players notched 50-game milestones.

With the competition’s home and away fixture increased by one match to 11 rounds, there were new players cementing their spots as SA’s best talent, plenty of upsets, rivalry games and a match was even played in the country at Tanunda Oval.

For the first time, women’s matches were also live streamed on advertiser.com.au giving stars a chance to showcase their talents to a huge audience.

But as quickly as the season kicked off, the minor rounds have now ended.

Ahead of the grand final this weekend – which you can watch live at advertiser.com.au – we can now reveal who made the 2021 Advertiser SANFLW Team of the Year.

***SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE FULL TEAM LIST***

The Redlegs, who were the best team of the minor rounds finishing the season top with a 9-2 record, dominated selection with five stars selected.

Norwood forward Rosette Zerella made the cut after finishing second on the goal kicking tally with 12, while young gun Jade Halfpenny was named at half-forward.

Norwood SANFLW star Jade Halfpenny was one of five Redlegs named in the 2021 Team of the Year. Picture: John Emery

Redlegs on-baller Morgan Johnson was named in the centre, standout ruck Leah Cutting, who ended the year with a whopping 322 hit-outs, and Sophie Armitstead (interchange) were also named.

Armitstead, a former Adelaide Crows AFLW-listed player, was also selected as vice-captain.

First-year Norwood mentor Matt Creeper was named coach of the year.

Creeper embraced a talent turnover after the side lost Bella Smith to Collingwood’s AFLW team, joint best-and-fairest Matilda Zander to the Magpies’ VFLW outfit, Rhiannon Busch to Darwin and had veterans Jo Hill and Michele Reid retire.

He joined Norwood after spending time as a senior assistant with Collingwood’s women’s team, working alongside 2017 Redlegs premiership coach Steve Symonds.

Glenelg and West Adelaide, who ended the season second and third respectively, have three players each named in the Team of the Year.

Bloods rising star Lauren Young, who equalled the record number of disposals during AFLW nationals, was a clear choice to be included in the midfield.

West Adelaide star Lauren Young was named in the midfield of the 2021 Advertiser SANFLW Team of the Year. Picture: Mark Brake

She was joined in the team by half-forward Zoe Venning and defender Sharnie Whiting.

Brooke Tonon (defence), fearless leader Ellie Kellock (full back) and Jessica Bates were the Tigers inclusions.

Kellock was also selected as the Team of the Year’s captain.

Reigning premier North Adelaide, who missed out on a spot in the major round after contending with plenty of injuries to key players this year, has three players in the team — Erica Greet (centre), as well as defenders Kirsti Harvey and Amelie Borg.

South Adelaide rising star Gypsy Schirmer is named in the centre, while teammate and ex-Crows player Nicole Campbell (interchange) joins her.

Three stars from Central District were also named with the competition’s leading goal kicker Chantelle Reynolds (14 majors) at full-forward, Katelyn Rosenzweig at half-forward and skipper Shelby Smith on the bench.

Sturt has two inclusions with Izzy Kuiper and Alisha Gepp, while gun forward Shineah Goody flies the flag for Woodville-West Torrens.

Glenelg's Ellie Kellock (front) was named in defence and skipper of the 2021 Advertiser SANFLW Team of the Year. Picture: SANFL

The 2021 Team of the Year was selected by SANFL general manager of football Matt Duldig, SANFL female talent manager Robbie Neill, SANFL football operations co-ordinator Daniel Joyce, SANFL head of football operations Sean Toohey, SANFL media producer Zac Milbank and Messenger sports reporter Daniela Abbracciavento.