Round 9 Hostplus SANFLW League Match Wraps

By ZAC MILBANK

North Adelaide didn’t manage a goal in two quarters yet managed to sweep away to a comfortable 29-point win against South Adelaide in Round 9 of the Hostplus SANFLW League at Prospect Oval.

Now sitting outright top of the table, the Roosters went goalless in the first and fourth terms but a convincing six-goal third quarter blitz was enough to secure the premiership points.

North midfielders Katelyn Pope (24 disposals, six marks) and Jess Edwards (22 disposals, two goals) were instrumental as was wing Erica Greet with 22 possessions and seven tackles.

Edwards, former Fremantle forward Jade De Melo and Sky Jenson each booted two goals for the hosts.

South, aiming to honour defender Nicole Collie in her 50th SANFLW game, had experienced pair Nicole Campbell (19 disposals, seven tackles) and Jaz Smith (18 disposals) lead the way while Lucy Northcott kicked two goals.

Glenelg stopped its losing streak at two after earning a much-needed 40-point win against Sturt at ACH Group Stadium.

Now drawing level with the Double Blues on 12 premiership points, the Bays regained plenty of confidence by leading at every change while keeping their opponents goalless in the second and fourth quarters.

Tiger Sam Franson stood tall with 21 disposals, eight marks, eight tackles and two goals while Jess Bates (23 disposals) and skipper Ellie Kellock (21 disposals) were also prominent for the hosts.

Franson and crafty veteran Chelsea Packer both kicked a pair of goals for Glenelg.

Sturt’s Kate Harris was a tackling machine – laying a whopping 17 for the match – to go with her team-high 21 disposals while teammates Georgia Bevan and Alisha Gepp each registered 15 possessions.

Woodville-West Torrens claimed its first victory in seven matches with an upset 23-point win against Norwood at Maughan Thiem Kia Oval.

Without a win since Round 2, the Eagles led throughout the contest while making the most of a 36-26 advantage in inside 50m entries.

Former Crow Jess Sedunary had a big say in the outcome, collecting 25 disposals and four clearances for the Eagles, who also had emerging key forward Klaudia O’Neill hit the scoreboard with a career-high haul of three goals.

Norwood captain Ali Ferrall finished with 20 disposals and a goal while Tesharna Maher (18 disposals) and Ashlee Gould (17 disposals), approaching her 5oth SANFLW game, battled hard for the visitors.

Central District’s finals chances are well and truly alive after taking care of West Adelaide by 42-points at X Convenience Oval.

Banking their fourth win of the season, the Bulldogs are just one win and percentage outside of slipping into the top four with three matches to play in the minor round.

The hosts had plenty of willing contributors, led by captain Shelby Smith (37 disposals, eight clearances, one goal), ruck Isabelle Starmer (27 disposals, 11 marks) and hard-running Laitiah Huynh (22 possessions).

The Bloods, still chasing their second win of the season, had former Redleg Jessica Macolino register a team-high 23 disposals and a goal while Louella McCarthy tallied 20 disposals and seven tackles.