Women’s Adelaide Footy League 2022 season preview for every club
The Adelaide Footy League Women’s competition kicks off this weekend. Here is how your club has prepared for the 2022 season with previews for every division.
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Will Morphettville Park go back to back? Can newcomers, the Brighton Bombers continue to build on their success? Will Angle Vale find some redemption? How will Covid impact the competition?
There are a lot of questions being asked as the Women’s Adelaide Footy League season quickly approaches. With round one set to kick-off on April 2, players and fans are desperate for some answers.
Take a look at how each division has prepared for season 2022.
DIVISION ONE
MORPHETTVILLE PARK
Last Season: Premier
Coach: Brad Ferrall
Morphettville Park has a lot of pressure on its shoulders after what was a fairytale finish to the 2021 season.
The Roos took out the top prize last year alongside their reserves team, who are three-time premiers.
Winning dual flags “was a great achievement and one that the club is very proud of,” according to coach Brad Ferrall.
“Our culture certainly played a large role in our success. It was a great reward for all the effort put in by everyone at the club,” Ferrall said.
Ferrall had faith that the Roos have more fuel in the tank and said the club had a “talented list” that was “keen to develop and work towards success”.
“As a club we just want to continue to be the best that we can be,” he said.
“We have worked on all areas of our game during the pre-season as nothing is ever perfect. Ball movement however has been a big focus point.”
PAYNEHAM NORWOOD UNION
Last Season: Runner-up
Coach: Simon Barratt
The Falcons had the premiership within reach last year, but were outclassed by the Roos who took the flag by 33 points.
Payneham Norwood Union has faced some challenges through the pre-season, but will be looking to play a new style of football this year.
“Last year our A grade had a terrific season that included a grand final appearance against eventual premiers Morphettville Park,” said coach Simon Barratt.
“Our biggest area of improvement this season has been centred around improving fitness to be able to execute a specific style of game play among the group.
“We have lost many players from our grand final team through SANFL, season ending injuries, and work commitments interstate.
“Therefore, it has been important that we develop a different style of play that suits the new players that have come into the club.”
The Falcons have a big year ahead with plenty of milestone rounds for their players.
Cass Scott is 10 games away from 100 and Emma ‘Ace’ Cornish is 11 matches away from a huge 150 senior women’s appearances.
SMOSH WEST LAKES
Last Season: Preliminary finalist
Coach: Brad Day
SMOSH West Lakes had a strong 2021 and walked away with 10 wins during the home and away season.
However, the Lions will be hoping to secure a ticket to the big dance this year after what was a disappointing loss in the preliminary final.
“The A grade suffered with some injuries to key players, so we lost some momentum towards the end of the season,” said coach Brad Day.
“We’ve tried to change the way we train by incorporating a running program this year. The program certainly caused some grizzly faces from the girls, but it’s funny that at the end of training they’re all smiling faces and they’ll say: ‘Look, we need to do this’.”
Day was confident in how far the club had come during the pre-season.
When asked if SMOSH will be a contender for the flag in 2022, he replied with a resounding “yes.”
“Obviously we don’t know what our opposition are going to be like and what sort of off-season they’ve had,” he said.
“Morphettville Park has obviously been one of our biggest competitors over the past few years, so they’re probably one of our biggest threats along with Adelaide Uni.”
ADELAIDE UNIVERSITY
Last Season: Semi-finalist
Coach: Michael Leslie
Adelaide University put up a strong fight in 2021, making it all the way to the semi-final. But ultimately continuity let it down as the team was rattled by injuries and unavailability.
The club has done well to grow their depth during the off-season, adding a third team to their portfolio which will compete in division six.
Coach Michael Leslie said that the extra players will be sure to assist in what is sure to be a year shaken up by COVID-19.
“We saw in our trial matches we had half the squad unavailable because they’re in isolation,” he said.
“I suspect that’s going to have a major impact on us again this year, along with other clubs as well.”
Adelaide Uni has been inspired by the style of footy in the AFL and SANFL and has focused on developing their speed across each of their teams.
“Quick ball movement has been a key focus over the off-season. We are seeing it in the women’s game and in the men’s as well on a professional level.
“The club’s now started to realise that the best way to break through strong zone defences and score highly is to move quickly.
BROADVIEW
Last Season: 5th
Coach: Luke Robertson
Broadview saw its first season in division one last year and coach Luke Robertson said there was “a big difference in the quality of football” between the top flight and second tier.
“Last year we finished second to bottom out of six teams. The difference between two to one is quite substantial,” Robertson said.
Robertson admitted that the club had to work hard to build up their ball skills to compete with the more seasoned teams in division one.
“We have just been looking to really improve our skill level, as it is probably the biggest thing that we noticed from division two to division one, the skills are just so much higher.”
“We certainly know what it takes to compete with the really strong sides that we saw last year, so the way we move the ball going forward is probably our biggest thing we’ve worked on in the pre-season so far.”
The Tigers are ready to take their game to the next level assured Robertson, he said “I think we’ll be quite competitive.”
“We’ve got quite a few new recruits from some strong clubs in the area and from interstate as well.”
“So we’ve certainly strengthened up our depth and we are optimistic that we are going to be in a good place this year to put up a challenge.
OLD IGNATIANS
Last Season: Division two Premier
Coach: Tom Sexton
After winning the division two flag last year, Old Ignatians has moved up to division one where it is sure to face some fierce competition.
Coach Tom Sexton said the Wolves had a terrific year in 2021 and that came down to the girls’ passion for footy.
“The girls are really passionate about playing the game and want to learn as much as they can,” he said.
“We also have a great club culture, with plenty of interaction between the mens and the women’s teams. So the girls get plenty of support from the whole club.”
Like all clubs, retention has been a main focus for the wolves this year with Covid and the SANFL taking some key players.
“It’s been a big effort to make sure our numbers are good. We have had a few players leave to play with the SANFL, which is fantastic. We just need to ensure we can fill the gaps.”
“We are confident that we will be competitive, but it’s hard to read until the season gets started.”
HAPPY VALLEY
Last Season: Division two runner-up
Coach: Chris Bennett
Happy Valley had a tragic end to what was a breathtaking 2021.
Despite the COVID-19 interruptions, the Vikings went undefeated in the home and away season, but fell short of the home run, losing the grand final to Old Ignatians by 21 points.
Coach Chris Bennett said that after the two week break before the big dance his team just wasn’t “match hardened on the day,” which in the end let them down.
“There wasn’t much between the two of us all year and Ignatians was just a lot more match harder than what we were at the end,” he said.
The former SANFL coach said that while the loss stung at the time, “you learn more when you lose that when you win.”
“There’s lots of good lessons to be learned and that’s all part of the girls growing as well,” said Bennett.
“Two years ago they had the thrill of winning the premiership and the following year they had the feeling of losing.
“It is all part of building resilience.”
DIVISION TWO
With Old Ignatians and Happy Valley both moving up to division one in 2022 it will be a fight to see who takes those top spots in the upcoming season.
One of the clubs sure to lead the charge will be 2021 preliminary finalist Gaza. However, newcomers Blackfriars Old Scholars might feed off its momentum from a division three premiership win last year.
The third tier runner-up, Tea Tree Gully will be hungry to take the top spot this year as it joins division two.
Angle Vale will also have something to prove, after finishing bottom of the division one ladder last year with a 1-14 win-loss record.
“We didn’t have the numbers last year, which meant a lot of girls doubled up and played both games, which took its toll,” said Angle Vale coach Chris Glacken.
“We’ve had a real focus on the defensive side so far this year, trying to be a bit more aggressive.
“In the trial games we have had so far we have shown good signs of that, so I think we will be very competitive.”
Scotch Old Collegians and Flinders University just missed out on finals campaigns last year, finishing fifth and sixth respectively. Both will be looking to improve in the upcoming season.
Rosewater will help round out the competition.
DIVISION THREE
With only three teams remaining from last year’s division three competition, 2022 is shaping up to look like a very different season.
Goodwood Saints, Hope Valley, and Flinders Park have all moved up from division four, while Brighton Bombers have made the leap from division six after a very successful first year with a women’s team.
“Last year was our first ever year of a women’s team, so for us to get enough players for the first game was pretty good,” Bombers female football director Steve Lindqvist said.
“But we made finals, we finished fourth at the end of the minor round and then we won the semi-final, we won the preliminary, and we made it through to the grand final.”
The success of the rookie team has drawn the attention of Adelaide Footy League followers, and Lindqvist is “quietly confident” that his team will continue to grow in the higher divisions.
“I’m relatively confident with the way that we’ve looked over our two trial games,” he said.
“Players who played last year, their skill level has increased dramatically. I feel that there are definitely a lot of positive signs.”
The division three veterans, Golden Grove, Fitzroy, and Mitcham will be fighting to maintain their supremacy against the invading forces.
Golden Grove coach Katie Brown said the Kookaburras “performed really well last year,” but they have “focused on creating more structure on the field” during the pre-season, which should help the girls improve upon their semi final finish in 2021.
DIVISION FOUR
Division four will be adding two teams in 2022, building the competition out to eight in total.
All eyes will be on Lockleys who have moved up after their demolition of division six last year. The Demons took out the flag after winning 13 of their 15 games in the home and away season.
Henley won’t be letting Lockleys claim top spot so easily. The Sharks made it all the way to the final last year before suffering a heartbreaking loss to the Goodwood Saints, 40-7.
Marion found itself at the bottom of the ladder and will look for improvement, while Hectorville will strive for another go at a finals campaign, looking to better their semi-final finish from last year.
West Croydon, Pulteney, Glenunga, and Ingle Farm will round out the competition.
DIVISION FIVE
The third division to have uneven numbers this year, leaves Eastern Park with an easy bye round to kick off the season.
Reigning premiers, Gepps Cross will be hoping to gain another cup for the trophy cabinet.
Division newcomers North Haven, Elizabeth, Woodville South, and Port District will all be seeking to make their mark in the 2022 competition.
Woodville South will be the final team in the division.
DIVISION SIX
Underdogs, Modbury took out the flag last year after a miracle win against Goodwood. The club will be looking to maintain their success in 2022, and Coach Dave Gray said there is a lot of talent to see this season.
“The age group in the team is 15 to 49, so we have a very diverse range of women,” he said.
“We have had a massive focus on fitness and skills this pre-season.”
Both Pembroke OS and Edwardstown had strong seasons last year, finishing second and third respectively. However, with a few new teams joining the division in 2022 they might need to fight to maintain their positions at the top of the ladder.
Adelaide Uni, Marion, Athelstone, and new club Loreto Old Scholars will round out the competition.
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