North Adelaide, South Adelaide, West Adelaide and Norwood win in SANFLW round two
North Adelaide set the tone for the season ahead with a 54-point thumping, while a last-minute goal stole a one-point win for Norwood in an action-packed round two of SANFLW.
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Can North Adelaide go one better this SANFLW season?
That is the big question after the Roosters moved top of the ladder after a big victory in round two on Saturday.
Meanwhile, reigning premier South Adelaide kept up the pace, there was a goal to win it in the dying minutes for Norwood, and West Adelaide continued its charge.
CENTRAL DISTRICT 1.1 (7) NORTH ADELAIDE 9.7 (61)
North Adelaide confirmed it is a force to be reckoned with under new boss Krissie Steen after handing out a 54-point thumping to Central District at Elizabeth on Sunday.
The 2019 runners-up made it back-to-back victories to start the campaign with the crushing 9.7 (61) to 1.1 (7) triumph.
The Roosters banged on five unanswered goals until the Bulldogs finally registered a score through a Katelyn Rosenzweig major 12 minutes into the second term.
It would be the hosts’ only six-pointer however, as North put its foot to the floor with another four goals in the second half.
Steen said her side was showing glimpses of how it wanted to play.
“We just need to work at stringing them together a bit more consistently,” Steen said.
“We will be having a good look at our defensive transition as I wasn’t comfortable with the number of times Central was able to transition a good two thirds back down the ground.
“We are also going to be working hard at our inside 50s as that needs tidying up a bit. But only bits and pieces.
“The overall plan is exactly where we need to be and the girls are doing the most important things well.”
Central coach Shaun Ribbons said the Roosters had too many options.
“We were able to compete in the first quarter, but North is a good ball-using team and just took their chances,” Ribbons said.
Ashleigh Woodland led the attack for the Roosters, kicking 4.2, while Kathryn Reynolds added two goals and Cristie Castle, Lauren Daniel and Hannah Ewings registered singles.
Daniel also picked up 23 touches in a classy all-round display and Castle recorded 22.
Georgia Madigan’s 14 disposals were a team-high for the Dogs.
The Roosters moved top of the ladder with the percentage-boosting win while Central is fifth holding a 1-1 win-loss record.
EAGLES 4.5 (29) NORWOOD 4.6 (30)
Lindsay Bigg was the hero when she snatched a one-point victory for Norwood with a goal in the final minute over Woodville-West Torrens at Richmond on Friday night.
Bigg’s intercept mark from a wayward Eagles’ pass and goal from about 10m out helped the Redlegs salute 4.6 (30) to 4.5 (29), recording their first win of the season.
Woodville-West Torrens looked in command of the contest as it held a 4.3 to 1.2 lead at the main break.
But Norwood veteran Jo Hill dragged her side right back into the contest with two goals early in the third term.
The two sides then traded points before Bigg stole the show with the matchwinning major.
The Redlegs pushed into fourth with the victory, while the Eagles remain winless after two matches.
SOUTH ADELAIDE 5.13 (43) STURT 1.3 (9)
South Adelaide’s defensive effort to keep Sturt scoreless after quarter time was a highlight of its home victory against the Blues on Friday night, according to coach Rick Watts.
The reigning-premier Panthers won 5.13 (43) to 1.3 (9) after leading 3.7 to 1.3 at halftime and 3.11 to 1.3 at the last change.
Watts said his side worked hard to keep the pressure up after a slow start.
“We conceded four scoring shots in the first quarter, which we needed to tidy up and we did after that,” Watts said.
“I thought from there we had pretty good control with our defence really stepping up.
“We need to work on our decision-making around goal as 13 points was too many.
“But we have good depth and had three or four changes from last week and will probably have the same again for this week.”
One disappointing part of the game for South was the crushing injury to debutant Annabel Gordon (from Happy Valley) who appeared to have broken her ankle early in the first quarter in a pack, after a bright start to the game.
Among South’s key players included Jess Kirk with three goals, Elyse Haylock (18 disposals), Tahlia Meyer (18 disposals), Teah Charlton (24 disposals), Courtney Barry (22 disposals), and debutant Tahlita Buethke (three marks, 15 disposals).
WEST ADELAIDE 6.12 (48) GLENELG 1.2 (8)
On Friday night, West backed up with another victory when it trumped Glenelg 6.12 (48) to 1.2 (8) at Richmond.
Melanie Elsegood starred for the Bloods, booting three goals while Rachelle Martin racked up 21 touches.
The Bays were never really in the contest as West took control in the midfield – the Bloods won the clearance battle 29-16 – and regularly pumped the ball inside 50.
West remained one of three unbeaten teams alongside South and North while Glenelg will search again for its first win next week.
ROUND THREE
Saturday, February 29
■ Central District v Glenelg – 11am at Elizabeth
■ North Adelaide v West Adelaide – 3.15pm at Noarlunga
■ Eagles v Sturt – 5pm at Noarlunga
■ South Adelaide v Norwood – 6.45pm at Noarlunga