Hostplus SANFLW League Grand Final Ones to Watch

Here we are….the 2022 Hostplus SANFLW League Grand Final looms as an exciting conclusion to the season as we prepare for the first bounce at The Parade from 1.45pm on Sunday.

Minor premier North Adelaide and inaugural finalists Sturt have met twice this year, splitting the two meetings in extremely difference circumstances – the Double Blues by three points in Round 3 and the Roosters by 57 points in the Second Semi-Final.

But only one result matters now, as both coaches – North’s Krissie Steen and Sturt’s Michael O’Connor – look to prime their charges to be at their peak while also planning to curtail their rival stars.

SANFL Grand Finals are littered with memorable moments etched into history, created by star players who step up at pivotal stages.

Who will it be on Sunday? SANFL Media’s Zac Milbank selects his six X-Factors who could have a big say on the outcome of the highly-anticipated title-decider.

Ewings is AFLW bound but before she departs Prospect, has she got one more gift to give Roosters fans?

The U18 AFLW All-Australian was a huge driver behind her team’s 57-poiint win against Sturt in the Second Semi-Final, booting three goals to go with her 25 disposals and five clearances.

Whether she be placed in the centre square or inside 50m, Ewings looms as a genuine game-breaker.

It appears Zoe Prowse is on a mission.

Sturt’s influential ruck has been outstanding in both of her team’s finals, finishing with 24 disposals and 10 clearances in the Second Semi-Final before backing up with a difference-making 19 disposals, eight clearances and seven tackles in the Preliminary Final.

The Crows-listed utility loves to set the tone for the Double Blues at the centre bounce but it is her flexibility to act as an extra midfielder when the ball is at ground level which looms as a major bonus.

North Adelaide’s fleet-footed midfielder knows how to find the footy and carry it across lines with speed.

Selected in The Advertiser SANFLW Team of the Year, the left-footer was prominent against the Double Blues in the Second Semi-Final, finishing with 19 disposals and five tackles to go with her two goals.

Loves to celebrate a goal, bringing her team-mates into the contest.

One of the youngest players set to take the field in the Hostplus SANFLW League Grand Final, Sturt’s India Rasheed certainly won’t be daunted by the occasion.

The 15-year-old has hit the scoreboard in both finals, displaying her lethal left-foot around the goals, as evidenced by her memorable checkside in Round 8 this season in the clip below.

A member of the successful SA U18 team at the AFLW National Championships, Rasheed also presents well from the forward 50m to take a strong mark on the lead.

Jade de Melo certainly knows where the goals are.

North’s experienced Fremantle Dockers recruit has booted 13 goals in her first Hostplus SANFLW League season, including three in the Second Semi-Final against Sturt.

The 29-year-old presents as a marking target inside 50m while also ensuring opposition defenders need to divert their attention away from North teammate Hannah Ewings at various junctures.

Not a huge name outside of the confines of Wigan Oval but that doesn’t mean Ally Ladas will have any less impact.

The former soccer player showed off her foot skills beautifully in the Preliminary Final, producing a fine toe-poke which resulted in a crucial goal against the Bays.

Like her fellow Sturt forward Alysha Healy, Ladas doesn’t need to touch the ball often to stamp herself on the contest.