SANFLW live stream replay: South Adelaide v Norwood

She’s captained the Young Matildas but now the niece of cult footy hero Clive Waterhouse is making her mark in SANFLW. See how she went here.

The combination of flowing blonde hair, a penchant for goals and the name Waterhouse sparks fond memories for SA footy fans – and now it has returned.

Jess Waterhouse – the niece of former Port Adelaide and Fremantle cult hero Clive – has turned heads this season, not only for her high-scoring displays in Hostplus SANFLW League but also her likeness to her famous uncle.

The South Adelaide forward leads the league with eight goals from the first three matches heading into this Saturday night’s clash against Norwood, which will be live streamed by The Advertiser.

Waterhouse was best on ground for the Panthers last week, booting all four of her sides’ majors in the loss to her former side Glenelg.

South Adelaide forward Jess Waterhouse leads the SANFLW for goals after three rounds. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Jess’ uncle, former AFL player Clive Waterhouse in action for Fremantle.

But her journey to this point has been far from conventional.

The 25-year-old was first a rising soccer star, playing three W-League seasons with Adelaide United and captaining the Young Matildas at just 15, before leaving the Reds to take up Aussie rules.

It’s a journey into the game not too dissimilar to Clive, who played 106 AFL games for the Dockers and was also part of Port’s 1995 SANFL premiership side.

“He swapped from soccer to footy at about 17/18 prior to being picked up by Port and then Fremantle,” Waterhouse said.

“And watching his highlight reels we see a lot of similarities with our playing style.

“I don’t know whether it’s just both coming from soccer to footy or what that we have in common … obviously the haircut to match now with the mullet helps.”

Waterhouse made her SANFLW debut with Glenelg in 2018 but played just one season and went back to local level with great success at Happy Valley last year.

Jess Waterhouse ahead of her first season of SANFLW with Glenelg in 2018. Picture: AAP/Dean Martin

Waterhouse played three seasons with Adelaide United.

“I’m really enjoying it at South and playing under (coach) Rick Watts,” Waterhouse said.

“I wasn’t expecting it to be as good as it has been so far

“It’s kind of gone full circle, being at Glenelg, having time off and then going back to local league and finding that passion again at Happy Valley.

“My experience this time in SANFLW is very different to what it was previously … it’s an environment I’m thriving in.”

Waterhouse was the youngest Adelaide United player to make her W-League debut in 2012 before she skippered the Young Matildas at the AFC under-16 qualifiers in the Philippines.

However, the former midfielder said she never had the same passion for the round ball game as she does for footy and was glad she made the swap.

Waterhouse and the Panthers will host third-placed Norwood at Flinders University Stadium on Saturday night with the match broadcast live on advertiser.com.au from 6pm.