SANFLW Coach Catch-Up – Norwood’s Chris Howie

By ZAC MILBANK

Norwood is set to back in its youth as it prepares for life after Jo Hill in the second half of the Statewide Super Women’s League season.

Hill, who will turn 47 next month, informed her teammates that she wouldn’t be in a position physically to continue upon resumption, having primed herself to play at an earlier stage in the year.

An Olympic Silver Medallist for the Australian basketball team in 2000, Hill departs The Parade with the club’s blessing, grateful for the professionalism she passed on in her 22 SANFLW games for the Redlegs.

Speaking on SANFL Radio, Norwood Women’s coach Chris Howie said that while Hill’s departure will leave a vacancy in attack, it will also provide an excellent opportunity for the rest of the 2020 season.

While they aren’t in the key forward category like Hill, promising players such as Matilda Zander and Mattea Breed will look to continue their eye-catching form this year.

Zander has used her speed through the middle of the ground to her advantage while Breed is a strong overhead mark while also finding plenty of the ball, culminating in a Powerade Breakthrough Player nomination in Round 2.

The Redlegs currently sit just outside of the top four on the SANFLW premiership table, with Howie confident his side turned the corner after scraping home for a draw against West in Round 4.

After being back on the training track for a week, Howie is excited by the likes of Kate Fenton, who has returned with a fierce desire to have a strong impact when the season resumes on June 27.