Injury ravaged West Adelaide limps to finals with Marinoff-inspired Glenelg charging
A shot at an undefeated season was blocked, an AFLW star dominated and a finals contender pushed through injuries to win in an action-packed penultimate round of SANFLW.
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Finals are just around the corner with only one home-and-away round left of SANFLW for 2019.
A shot at an undefeated season was blocked, an AFLW star dominated and a finals contender pushed through injuries to win in an action-packed penultimate round.
WEST 5.5 (35) EAGLES 4.6 (30)
West Adelaide coach Shane Moon is calling on his players to step up to the challenge with the injury-ravaged Bloods in a fight for the finals.
A five-point victory over Woodville-West Torrens on Good Friday meant West held its spot in the top four ahead of a crucial final round away against South Adelaide on Saturday, May 4.
But the Bloods, a win ahead of fifth-placed Glenelg but with worse percentage, are limping to the finish line.
Star forward Chelsea Biddle injured her knee at training last week and will miss the remainder of the season along with Niamh Davis (ankle), Alex Mason (wrist) and Kasia Culhane (shoulder).
Moon said his side showed its steel after losing players before the bounce and during the 5.5 (35) to 4.6 (30) triumph.
“We went in down a few players and knew the Eagles would start pretty strongly, so we we’re up against it from the start,” Moon said.
“The girls showed great character and determination to get the win.
“We’re in control of our own destiny now.”
Marie Martino kicked two goals to go with 16 touches to join Rebecca Owen (18 disposals), Abbie Ballard (15) and Madison Newman (15) among the top performers.
SOUTH 5.6 (36) NORWOOD 4.5 (29)
Norwood’s stunning winning streak was brought to an end as the ladder leaders were toppled by bogey side South Adelaide at Noarlunga Oval on Saturday.
The Redlegs had triumphed in eight straight matches this season but were handed their first loss in a seven-point defeat to the Panthers, who were the last team to beat them in the 2018 grand final.
A hard-fought 5.6 (36) to 4.5 (29) result was set up in the third quarter as South kicked 3.4 and kept the visitors scoreless.
Norwood will still finish in top spot if it beats second-bottom Central District in the final round on Saturday, May 4, but will be wary of facing the Panthers again in the finals.
Najwa Allen once again starred for the Redlegs, gathering 24 touches, and Monqiue Hollick kicked two majors.
The Panthers shared the load with five individual goal kickers, including Elyse Haussen who also picked up 20 touches. Czenya Cavouras had 22 touches.
GLENELG 9.5 (59) STURT 2.5 (17)
Adelaide Crows AFLW star Ebony Marinoff’s quality was on full display on Good Friday as she led Glenelg to a strong 42-point victory over Sturt to give her side a glimmer of finals hope.
Marinoff was everywhere as she picked up 35 disposals in the 9.5 (59) 2.5 (17) triumph, over the Double Blues which left the Tigers a win behind fourth-placed West Adelaide in the finals race.
Glenelg, which has a better percentage than the Bloods, will need to defeat bottom side Woodville-West Torrens in the final round on Saturday, May 4 and hope West loses to South Adelaide.
Marinoff had 10 clearances and seven inside 50s among her huge disposal tally and Ellen Fauser was the main beneficiary of her work up the ground, kicking four goals.
Caitlin Gould had 18 touches, two goals and 22 hit outs in a strong display.
Tess Maple and Georgia Swan booted Sturt’s only majors.
NORTH 11.7 (73) CENTRAL 1.4 (10)
Central District’s battling debut season hit its biggest low so far on Good Friday with a 63-point thrashing at the hands of North Adelaide at Prospect Oval.
The Bulldogs suffered their biggest loss to date and did not kick a goal until the final quarter in the 11.7 (73) to 1.4 (10) defeat.
They were always going to be up against it, coming into the match on the back of four-straight losses against a Roosters side which had won its past four straight.
Central was kept scoreless in the opening term as North kicked 2.1, before booting four goals in the second quarter to the visitors’ three straight behinds.
Courtney Jensen booted the sole major for Central in the fourth quarter, while Caitlen Teague (17 disposals) and Jayme-Lee Sonneman (14) battled hard.
The Bulldogs will look to end their season on a high following a bye this weekend when it takes on Norwood at Alberton Oval on Saturday, May 4. Central is seventh on the ladder with two wins and seven losses, unable to make the finals.
ROUND 10
Saturday, May 4
■ Sturt v North Adelaide – Unley Oval, 10.15am
■ Central District v Norwood – Alberton Oval, 11.50am
■ South Adelaide v West Adelaide – Noarlunga Oval, 3.45pm
■ Glenelg v Eagles – Glenelg Oval, 4.45pm
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