Morphettville Park too strong for West Adelaide in SAWFL decider
MORPHETTVILLE Park has won its third consecutive SA Women’s Football League grand final after beating West Adelaide by 40 points on Sunday.
MORPHETTVILLE Park has won its third consecutive SA Women’s Football League grand final after beating West Adelaide by 40 points on Sunday.
The Roos were too strong for the Bloods, prevailing 7.12 (54) to 2.2 (14) at Thebarton Oval.
The match was stopped for half an hour when West Adelaide defender Casey Fraser was knocked to the ground in a contest.
Bloods coach Brooke Copeland said Fraser heard her neck crack when she hit the ground, so doctors were reluctant to move her and waited 30 minutes for an ambulance to arrive.
On Tuesday, West Adelaide president Glenys Killian said Fraser was out of hospital and would wear a neck brace for a couple of weeks after doctors had ruled out a break in her neck.
Copeland was proud of her side for making the decider with 11 players who had not played football before this season.
“We fought hard and dug deep and we stuck with them right until half-time,” Copeland said.
“We are a very new team, so to get to a grand final is fantastic.”
Morphettville Park coach Rick Watts, who has been involved in the past two premierships with the club, was thrilled with the win.
His side only dropped one game during the season and finished as minor premier.
“It was an amazing effort,” Watts said.
“It was a tough game, but it was great we put it all together in the second half.
“The club has a great culture and it was set up by coaches prior to me.
“Unfortunately a girl got hit and that put a bit of a damper on the game.
“But it was an amazing win.”
Courtney Gum and Lauren Buchanan was best for Morphettville Park.
West Adelaide’s Kirsty Degabriele was awarded the best-on-ground medal by the umpires.