New recruits and women’s development league introduction bolster SANFLW clubs for biggest season yet
Star recruits and an influx of talent means women’s footy is stronger than ever ahead of 2022’s first bounce. Read the season preview and all the ins and outs.
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With droves of emerging young guns and star recruits entering the league, the 2022 Hostplus SANFLW season looks set to be the biggest and best yet.
Multiple players have joined from AFLW clubs this year and a slew of young talent has also entered after the introduction of a women’s development league.
“The SANFLW Development League is very exciting and is going to provide more opportunities for elite young female players to realise their dream of playing a high level of our game,” SANFL chief Darren Chandler said at Wednesday’s season launch.
“It’s a really exciting season. The teams are stronger every year, more girls than ever are playing footy in SA, and with each club having that development pathway now there’s a great buzz leading in.”
The season will kick-off on Friday night with 2021 premiers Glenelg taking on minor premier Norwood.
Saturday will then see West Adelaide play North Adelaide, Central District take on South Adelaide and the Eagles face-off against Sturt.
Ahead of the first bounce, we’ve got every club’s ins and outs and how each team sits heading into a massive year while you can check out the players to watch here.
Central District
Captain: Shelby Smith
Coach: Ben Hunt
Last season: 6th
Major ins: Alex Fitridge (North Adelaide), Georgia McKee (Glenunga), Natalia Aesu (Payneham), Charlotte Riggs (Angle Vale), Jessica Walker-Smith (Angle Vale)
Major outs: Madison Kalleske (retired), Shari Chambers (retired), Renai Richardson (retired)
The Bulldogs are aiming to use their strong youth to put the league on notice, according to captain Shelby Smith.
The club had another difficult season in 2021 but Smith believed there was light at the end of the tunnel after the introduction of the development league.
“We haven’t done too well in previous years but I know we can win more games and show the competition that we do mean business,” Smith said.
Key inclusions of Alex Fitridge and Glenunga’s Georgia McKee – who has shown major promise in the preseason – have the club excited for the future.
“It’s been a long and hot preseason but we’ve worked through it well with a lot of talented girls like Alex and Georgia coming through,” Smith said.
“It’s now about supporting them through this level of competition.”
Glenelg
Captain: Ellie Kellock
Coach: Jason Fairall
Last season: 2nd, premiers
Major ins: Alana Baker (North Adelaide/South Adelaide), Kendall Howell (North Adelaide), Andie Zbierski (North Adelaide), Madison Bennett (South Adelaide), Marie Martino (West Adelaide)
Major outs: Emily Woods (retired), Ellen Frauser (retired), Tess Morcom (retired)
Glenelg captain Ellie Kellock said back-to-back premierships are on the club’s mind for 2022.
The star player’s side was dominant in the 2021 finals series, claiming the cup after a 23-point win over West Adelaide.
Kellock said consistency would be key to more success.
“Consistency throughout the season is going to be important because if we can start and finish the season strong we’re going to give ourselves the best chance at a flag,” she said.
The Tigers have done some significant recruiting through the offseason, with names like Alana Baker and Kendall Howell heading to Brighton Road.
Kellock believed managing a larger list through Covid would play a big role in the season.
“Covid has thrown another spanner in the works and I think whichever team manages that the best will probably come out the other end on top,” she said.
North Adelaide
Captain: Erin Sundstrom, Kristi Harvey (co-captains)
Coach: Krissie Steen
Last season: 5th
Major ins: Jade de Melo (Fremantle), Jamie Parish (Woodville-West Torrens), Laela Ebert (Modbury)
Major outs: Kelly Barltrop (retired), Andie Zbierski (Glenelg), Kendall Howell (Glenelg), Alana Baker (Glenelg), Nekia Wilson (Sturt), Alex Fitridge (Central District)
North Adelaide co-captain Erin Sundstrom said her side was ready to take the next step this season.
The Roosters grabbed five wins in a solid display last year but now have the squad to push for a higher finish.
“We had a really productive preseason and with such a big squad together now we’re looking really good,” Sundstrom said.
“We’re really looking at executing better going forward because we’re a strong defensive side but we need to also become really potent in attack.”
The Roosters will be banking on recruits and developing young talent to get to the finals this year, with Sundstrom pointing to much-improved midfielders Jaimi Tabb and Julia Clark as two players who can turn a game in their favour.
Norwood
Captain: Ali Ferrall
Coach: Matt Creeper
Last season: 1st
Major ins: Nicola Burns (Carlton/Hawthorn VFLW), Kaitey Whittaker (Palmerston/Gold Coast academy), Rosie Boon (Hectorville), Molly Brooksby (Golden Grove), Tamsyn Nation (Hope Valley)
Major outs: Leah Cutting (St Kilda), Bek McMahon (retired), Kate Fenton (retired), Jessica Macolino (West Adelaide)
The Redlegs are anxious to right their wrongs after last season’s finals defeat to Glenelg according to captain Ali Ferrall.
The club recruited heavily after the semi-final loss and Ferrall said every player had bought in on winning a premiership after the 2021 finals disappointment.
“We want to be successful in finals. It’s that simple. We want to get to the big dance and win a premiership,” she said.
“We’re really keen to get going and see how this squad develops through the year.”
Ferrall also said the added squad strength due to the development league would be a benefit.
“We can do so much more with the squad to prepare now, it’s really exciting and we can’t wait for round one on Friday.”
South Adelaide
Captain: Bri Wedding
Coach: Rick Watts
Last season: 4th
Major ins: Jodie Hunt (Willunga), Jess Waterhouse (Happy Valley), Shae Archbald (Willunga)
Major outs: Jordann Hickey (Woodville-West Torrens), Madison Bennett (Glenelg)
Fitness has been the focus for South Adelaide in 2022 according to Panthers captain Bri Wedding.
The club was disappointed after its semi final loss to West Adelaide but will now look to strengthening its game plan after adding player numbers in recent months.
“We’ve really focused on fitness as part of developing our game and overall performance,” Wedding said.
“Having a whole new component in our squad with the development side has been great as well because we can now work with more people and become more competitive.”
Wedding added that success would come as a result of other goals the club had set for 2022.
“We want to see progress and development in our players and our game. There’s a lot of talk about grand finals and premierships but that will only come as a bi-product.”
Sturt
Captain: Maya Rigter
Coach: Bruce Dawes
Last season: 7th
Major ins: Georgia Bevan (Gold Coast), Ange Foley (Adelaide), India Rasheed (Glenunga), Nekia Wilson (North Adelaide)
Major outs: Jess Good (Carlton)
Maya Rigter said the Double Blues are tired of losing and are ready to play finals footy this season.
The star captain led her side to the club’s most SANFLW wins in a season last year but she said it was still not good enough.
“Three wins was an improvement but it’s not good enough for us and we’re not shying away from that,” Rigter said.
“We want to win games and reach that ultimate prize.”
While star ruck Jess Good was picked up by Carlton’s AFLW side, the signings of Georgia Bevan and Ange Foley will be a significant boost, as well as the continued development of youngster Kiera Mueller.
West Adelaide
Captain: Madi Russell
Coach: Mark Moody
Last season: 3rd, grand final runner-up
Major ins: Beatrice Devlyn (West Coast), Jessica Macolino (Norwood)
Major outs: Marie Martino (Glenelg)
The pain of last year’s grand final defeat is motivating the Bloods for season 2022 according to new captain Madi Russell.
Despite a tough battle with Covid to start the new year, West Adelaide’s inspirational leader said her team is ready to go for its game against the Roosters on Saturday.
“It’s been a rocky few weeks. Coming out of the new year we had 23 girls out due to Covid but we’ve got everyone back now and we’re ready to go,” Russell said.
The Bloods had a strong finals series in 2021 but fell short against Glenelg in the big dance.
Russell said the club’s recruits and youngsters would bring the firepower it needed to win the flag.
“Beatrice (Devlyn) and J Mac (Jessica Macolino) are going to be weapons for us and Keeley Kustermann has been a bit of a young gun for us too, she’s elite.”
Woodville-West Torrens
Captain: Annie Falkenberg
Coach: Narelle Smith
Last season: 8th
Major ins: Renee Forth (Adelaide), McKenzie Dowrick (West Coast), Jordann Hickey (Gold Coast), Leah Kaslar (Gold Coast), Brianne Hyde (Swan Districts, WA)
Major outs: Jamie Parish (North Adelaide), Jess Sedunary
With a new coach onboard and a slew of talented AFLW arrivals, the Eagles are primed for big things in 2022.
The club finished bottom last season but has set its sights on finals this year according to vice captain Amie Blanden.
“The team is looking really good, really fit, and with such diversity in age and experience I think we have a strong nucleus,” Blanden said.
“We’d love to make finals again and aim for top four with the squad we’ve got together.”
Names like Renee Forth, McKenzie Dowrick, Jordann Hickey and Leah Kaslar have all joined the Eagles’ ranks, and Blanden was looking for a strong start from her new teammates.
“We want everyone to start well in a win against Sturt this Saturday. A good win would be massive for us.”
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