SANFLW

West 3.9.27

Central Districts 5.3.33

In Round 13, we travelled to Elizabeth to take on Central in a must-win clash to keep our finals hopes alive. There was just one change to the line-up, with Tiana Fernandez returning and Gracie Sim making way.

Unfortunately, the start of the match couldn’t have gone any worse. Central kicked the first three goals within the opening eight minutes. Although there was a light shower before the game, that was no excuse for our poor ground-ball efforts.

After the early onslaught, we began to settle and gained some control. We pushed forward with some inside 50 entries, and a snap from Zoe Venning registered our first behind. Shortly after, at the 12-minute mark, another entry forward resulted in another minor score. We managed to hold Central scoreless for the remainder of the quarter, but the damage was done early, and we knew we had a mountain to climb.

At quarter-time, the focus was on resetting — improving our ability to win ground balls and generating more run from our back half.

We started the second quarter strongly. Our defence created some great rebound opportunities, and through a well-constructed passage of play, Shelby Knoll took a strong mark 30 metres out and kicked her first goal for West Adelaide. After that, our defence came under sustained pressure but stood up well, restricting Central to just three points for the quarter.

At around the 13-minute mark, we had another inside 50 and shot on goal, which unfortunately only added a behind. The rest of the quarter was tightly contested, with neither side able to break away. We managed one more point before the break to make the halftime score:
Central: 3.3 (21) | West Adelaide: 1.4 (10)

We felt we were well and truly back in the game. At halftime, we focused on maintaining our pressure, avoiding overuse of handball, and sticking to our brand of football.

Statistically, we were ahead in disposals, marks, and hit-outs, which gave us confidence heading into the second half.

The third quarter started evenly, with both sides having inside 50s but struggling to convert. At the 9-minute mark, a turnover from our half-back line resulted in a Central goal from transition, extending their lead to 15 points. Three minutes later, Central again forced the ball forward and kicked another goal, taking the margin to 21.

Despite this, the quarter remained highly contested, with plenty of stoppages. At the 17-minute mark, Sarah Deed took a strong mark and converted, giving us some momentum. With limited time left in the quarter, we pushed again, and Nicole Hooper took a strong mark in the forward pocket. Unfortunately, it resulted in just a behind, reducing the margin to 14 points at the final break.

At three-quarter time, the message was simple — get the ball moving forward at all costs and keep working hard to give ourselves every chance.

Early in the final term, our defence was tested again, but Madi Russell, Tiana Fernandez, and Emma Chapman stood tall under pressure. We generated several forward entries, which initially only resulted in behinds. Finally, at the 12-minute mark, Nicole Hooper was awarded a free kick and converted, bringing the margin back to just six points with around six minutes to go.

With everything on the line, the intensity lifted. Both sides threw everything at the contest, and the final minutes were full of pressure. Madi Russell again led from the front with excellent rebound defence, giving us multiple opportunities to go forward. Unfortunately, we couldn’t capitalise on the scoreboard, and the final siren saw us fall just short — a six-point loss that ended our finals aspirations.

A disappointing result, no doubt, with the costly first eight minutes ultimately defining the outcome.

Best players were led by our defenders: Emma Chapman, Madi Russell, and Tiana Fernandez, who were outstanding all game. Tess Huxtable worked hard in the ruck, Shelby Knoll provided great presence up forward, and Hannah Button was relentless in the midfield.

Next week marks our final game of the season as we take on Glenelg after the League men’s match at 4pm. There’s no doubt the team is determined to finish the season on a positive note and will do everything possible to get the win.

Bruce Dawes

SANFLW Coach