Round 8 Hostplus SANFLW League Match Wraps

By ZAC MILBANK

A pair of goals to South’s Kiahni Russell late in the second term proved pivotal in her team’s 16-point Hostplus SANFLW League win against Central District at Flinders University Stadium.

Leading by just seven points, the Panthers’ suddenly stretched their advantage to 19 when Russell struck twice within the last five minutes of the second stanza, her second major coming with just eight seconds left before half-time.

It would be enough of a lead to hold the Bulldogs at bay for the rest of the contest as Nari Wright (23 possesions, 11 tackles), Jess Waterhouse (three goals) and Nicole Campbell (19 disposals) also shone for the hosts.

Central captain Shelby Smith was her industrious self with 27 disposals and 12 tackles while Isabelle Starmer’s sensational season in the ruck continued with 21 disposals, six tackles, four clearances and 29 hit outs.

Sturt regained some much-needed confidence with a percentage-boosting 64-point win against West Adelaide at Hisense Stadium.

After losing their past two matches to South and Central, the previously unbeaten Double Blues rose back to the top of the table, leading at every change while keeping the Bloods goalless until 16 minutes into the final term.

The visitors shared the scoreboard load with seven goal scorers, led by tall target Amy Brooks-Birve with three while goalsneaks Abbey Rigter and India Rasheed booted two each.

West’s Zoe Venning (27 disposals) and Beatrice Devlyn (23 disposals) were unable to prevent their side from losing their seventh match in succession.

North Adelaide’s persistence was rewarded with a four-point come-from-behind victory against Woodville-West Torrens at Maughan Thiem Kia Oval.

Trailing from late in the first term for the majority of the match, the Roosters didn’t square up the scores until Hannah Ewings kicked the sole goal for the fourth quarter in the ninth minute.

From there, North managed four behinds while keeping the Eagles scoreless as former Roosters skipper Jess Edwards went on a rampage with 46 disposals, 11 marks and five clearances.

Eagle Shineah Goody had 26 disposals but ultimately her team ran out of legs after failing to kick a goal for the final three quarters.

Norwood thrust itself into the finals frame with an upset 27-point win against Glenelg at ACH Group Stadium.

Welcoming back veteran ruck Leah Cutting from St Kilda’s AFLW side, the Redlegs slammed on 4.1 to the Bays’ 0.1 in the fourth term after leading by just three points at the final change.

Alana Lishmund booted three of her four goals during the visitors’ period of dominance while Sachi Syme (23 disposals), Tesharna Maher (20 disposals) and Lana Schwerdt (20 disposals) all found plenty of the ball.

Glenelg’s Jess Bates (33 possessions, seven clearances) and Sarah Goodwin (29 disposals) worked tirelessly for the hosts, who were unable to kick a goal after half-time.