SANFLW Match Report – Round 12

This week we celebrated Olivia Smith’s 50^th SANFLW game at West Adelaide, a hardworking, determined and reliable footballer since her debut in 2019. We also made a couple changes with Kendell Saffin and Paige Allan coming out of our 21, and Georgie Pater and Tess Huxtable returning to the side.

Despite winning majority of the stats in the first quarter, Sturt were able to capitalise more on the scoreboard. We were wasteful with our disposal and let Sturt dictate a lot of the way that the game was played. We were able to regain the lead halfway through the 1^st with a classy soccer to Nicole Hooper that put us up by a point before a converted free kick inside Sturt’s 50 gave them their 2^nd goal of the quarter.

Sturt dominated most of the 2^nd and 3^rd quarters, winning the inside 50 count convincingly but not capitalising on their opportunities which fortunately kept us in the game. Sturt kicked 1.8 across the 2^nd and 3^rd quarters and we only managed to kick the 1 goal which was off a free kick given to Tess Huxtable who was able to kick truly.

We had a fight on our hands if we were going to change momentum in the last quarter and keep our finals hopes alive. With a 12-point margin at 3 quarter time and Sturt having most of the momentum we needed a big shift. We were able to win the first clearance out of the middle and a holding the ball free kick inside the 50 was awarded to Jess Macolino who kicked truly and brought the margin back to 6 points. We also kicked the next goal off another high freekick which was given to Molly Petersen only 5 metres out from goal, who was able to equal the scores early in the 4^th. We both then traded blows, Sturt would push the lead out and goals to Iilish Ross and Lucy Waye were able to bring the margin back, unfortunately 2 costly anti density calls in the last few minutes kept the ball in Sturt’s attacking half and a couple behinds meant that they would finish the game 2 points ahead.

The 4^th quarter was played much more like we had wanted too, but unfortunately was too little too late and despite a strong comeback attempt fell just short. Zoe Venning was her usual self in the midfield, collecting 28 disposals, 8 clearances and 12 tackles. Iilish Ross was also solid with 13 disposals, 11 tackles and 8 clearances. Lucy Waye also showed great forward pressure and finished the game with a goal and 7 tackles.

While we are still mathematically a chance of playing finals, unfortunately a few costly close games mean that we rely heavily on other results and us winning our next 2 games if we are going to be a chance.

We’re looking forward to finishing our Home and Away season at Hisense Stadium for the next 2 rounds and will be doing everything in our power to finish off the year strong.

Goals: Nicole Hooper, Tess Huxtable, Jess Macolino, Molly Petersen, Iilish Ross, Lucy Waye (1)

Best Players: Zoe Venning, Iilish Ross, Lucy Waye, Madi Russell, Tess Huxtable

SANFLW Head Coach – Bruce Dawes