Norwood’s former netballer Hannah Priest is the SANFLW Player of the Week for round four

Hannah Priest’s decision to switch from netball to football is paying off – the Norwood midfielder is the SANFLW Player of the Week for round four.

Norwood SANFLW midfielder Hannah Priest in action against Sturt. Picture: John Emery

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Hannah Priest never shies away from a contest.

The former Oakdale netballer jokes she used to ignore the non-contact rule on court and has always considered herself a tough competitor.

Priest believes that is why she has not found swapping her centre bib for footy boots difficult.

The 26-year-old, who is playing her first SANFLW season with Norwood, amassed 22 possessions in the Redlegs’ 28-point win against Woodville-West Torrens at Elizabeth last Friday night.

The performance led to her being named the league’s Player of the Week for round four.

Norwood SANFLW midfielder Hannah Priest. Picture: John Emery

“I think anyone who’s played netball against me would know that I don’t really follow the non-contact rules very well,” Priest, of Glenelg South, says.

“I really enjoy it (the contest) and I love being able to apply pressure.

“That’s the brand we want to play at Norwood – a relentless sort of pressure.

“I’ve just loved the challenge of getting in there and getting dirty.”

Originally from Mildura, Priest relocated to Adelaide in 2011 to study teaching.

Priest, now a science and physical education teacher at Cardijn College, is likely to give up netball and see where her football journey goes.

“I played netball pretty much my whole life but then met a few girls who played (football) for Morphettville Park and they convinced me to come out,” she says.

“Last year was my first year of footy, I really enjoyed that.

Norwood SANFLW coach Steve Symonds. Picture: Deb Curtis

“Then Steve Symonds (Norwood SANFLW coach) got in contact with me and said he was interested in having me come out.

“I didn’t actually know much about the SANFLW and I didn’t really have expectations to play, I just wanted to get involved in any sort of footy I could.

“I was stoked when Steve asked me to come out to Norwood … it was really exciting I thought it was such a great opportunity.”

Norwood is undefeated after four games this season.

The Redlegs are hoping to remain that way when they take on West Adelaide at Norwood Oval on Saturday at 1.15pm.

ROUND FIVE

SATURDAY, MARCH 23

■ Sturt v Glenelg – Norwood Oval, 11.30am

■ Norwood v West Adelaide – Norwood Oval, 1.15pm

■ Central District v North Adelaide – Norwood Oval, 3pm

■ South Adelaide v Woodville-West Torrens – Noarlunga Oval, 3.45pm