South Adelaide’s Ely Haussen credits a move from on-ball to the forward line for her strong form

South Adelaide’s Ely Haussen’s move from the midfield to the forward line has sparked her late-season form and led to her being named the SANFLW Player of the Week for round nine.

South Adelaide's Ely Haussen, pictured with the ball, is the SANFLW Player of the Week for round nine. Picture: Nick Hook

• Daughter of Bulldogs great makes her league debut
• Norwood’s perfect SANFLW season scuppered
• Crows premiership star to play with Glenelg
• Sturt clips Eagles’ wings to claim second win

If you ask Ely Haussen to describe herself as a player, she may reference three star Crows.

Or at least that is what the South Adelaide forward/midfielder has done on the Panthers’ website, comparing herself to Rory Laird, Rory Sloane and Eddie Betts – with tongue firmly in cheek.

“It was just a joke for a question on the club’s website,” Haussen, of Aldinga Beach, laughs.

“I don’t actually think I’m like those three.

“I didn’t think anyone reads the player profiles.”

Haussen, 28, does not have anything close to the Adelaide trio’s accolades but she is making her mark in the SANFLW.

She is the competition’s Player of the Week for round nine after collecting 20 touches and kicking a goal in South’s victory over ladder leader Norwood at Noarlunga Oval last Saturday.

Ely Haussen in action against Central District. Picture: Nick Hook

“I started off in the midfield at the beginning of this season and I probably wasn’t getting much ball and didn’t hit too much form early on.

“I got moved into the forward line for the last couple of games and I suppose I’ve developed a bit more confidence down there.”

Haussen, who was playing with Flinders University in the Adelaide Footy League’s division three in 2017, became a key component of South’s midfield last year.

She featured in the Panthers’ premiership and was named in the inaugural Advertiser SANFLW Team of the Year after averaging 14.5 disposals and 3.2 tackles across 11 games.

After the state league season ended, Haussen lined up with Christies Beach and broke her wrist four rounds in, sidelining her for a few months.

Haussen is proud to be performing well for South with one minor SANFLW round remaining ahead of the finals.

“I was probably a bit disappointed with how I was going early this season,” says Haussen, whose brother Leigh is an AFL umpire.

“Every time I get these type of accolades I am always really shocked because there’s so much talent out there.

“It’s all about consistency and it’s such a privilege for me to be recognised.”

South, who is second on the ladder, plays West Adelaide at home next Saturday (May 4) in the last minor round.