Statewide Super Women’s League Grand Final Preview

2020 Statewide Super Women’s League Grand Final
Thebarton Oval – Sunday August 23 at 11.30am
Live and On Demand on SANFL Digital Pass

Overall Record
Played – 6
South – 3
North – 3

2020 Meetings
Round 4 – North 4.1 (25) d South 3.3 (21) at Flinders University Stadium
2nd Semi – North 3.7 (25) d South 2.5 (17) at Thebarton Oval

Head-to-Head
Win-Loss Record – North 11-0, South 10-2
Score Per Game – North 56.6, South 37.3
Score Allowed Per Game – North 13.9, South 20.2
Quarters Won-Lost – North 35-8 (1 tied), South 30-15 (3 tied)
Players Used/Played All Games – North 31-9, South 39-3

NORTH

Anne Hatchard
South coach Rick Watts describes ”Hatchy” as one of the best players in the AFLW, let alone the SANFLW. And it’s easy to see why. The Crows AFLW best-and-fairest is a sizeable presence at the stoppages while also being able to control the air with contested marking. Will Watts decide to place a tight tag on North’s best player?

Hannah Ewings
It’s hard not to argue that Teah Charlton aside, Ewings is the most classy player on the field. Silky-smooth with ball in hand, Ewings is an excellent decision-maker who always seems to have enough time to pin-point her teammates. Certainly knows where the goals are too.

Ashleigh Woodland
The competition’s leading goal kicker is arguably the most versatile player in the competition. Used predominantly in attack this season, the former Melbourne Demon can also cause problems in the middle or even stream off half-back to rack up rebound 50s.

SOUTH

Teah Charlton
Looming as SA’s first player chosen in this year’s AFLW Draft, Charlton displayed why in the Preliminary Final. Showed off her offensive game with two goals – one a classy solo effort tapping it to herself in the goal square – while also applying plenty of pressure with 13 tackles.

Hannah Munyard
South’s most consistent performer in the major round is extremely fit and able to play multiple roles through the midfield and attack. Can drift forward to kick a goal, like she has done in both finals, making her a danger to the Roosters on Sunday.

Montana McKinnon
A genuine physical presence, McKinnon could be a player to shake up the likes of Hatchard and Woodland in the middle of the ground. The Crows-listed ruck has exceptional skills for a tall whilst having the potential to stretch the North defence when thrown into attack.

SANFLW fans have got the Grand Final they craved. Clearly the two best teams in the Statewide Super Women’s League this year will face off in what promises to be a cracking title-decider.

North and South did battle in last year’s Grand Final, with the Panthers proving too strong by 22 points.

Since then, the competition heavyweights have had two matches decided by less than 10 points – in Round 4 and in the Second Semi-Final. The Roosters have prevailed on both occasions but South has not been without its chances to secure victory.

Despite going into the game as underdog, South has won the past two premierships – what a start it would be if a hat-trick of SANFLW flags were on display at Lovelock Drive since the Panthers’ inception in 2018.

But North, with 2018 South premiership coach Krissie Steen at the helm, is desperate to claim its first SANFLW crown after losing two Grand Finals and a Preliminary Final in the competition’s first three years.

The stage is set for a ripping contest at Thebarton Oval on Sunday.