SANFL’s ZAC MILBANK breaks down all you need to know about the Bloods heading into the 2023 SANFL Women’s League season.
Finished – 8th
Record – 1 win, 11 losses
Best and Fairest – Madison Russell
Runner Up – Beatrice Devlyn
Third Place – Maddy Zacher
The Advertiser SANFLW Team of the Year – Madison Russell (Full Back), Keeley Kustermann (Interchange)
COMING
Paige Allan (West Adelaide), Allani Dawes (Sturt), Illish Ross (Richmond AFLW), Bec Owen (returned), Kelly Barltrop (Adelaide University/North Adelaide), Stephanie Walker (Adelaide University/Woodville-West Torrens), Kendall Saffin (Mount Gambier), Milli Gentle (Tuggeranong Valley/Glenelg), Maddie Fitzgerald (Scotch OC)
GOING
Beatrice Devlyn (Woodville-West Torrens), Hannah Scholar (Woodville-West Torrens), Ashlea James (retired)
Round 1
Saturday February 18
West v Glenelg (Hisense Stadium) – 12pm
Round 2
Saturday February 25
West v North (Hisense Stadium) – 12pm
Round 3
Saturday March 4
South v West (Flinders University Stadium) – 6pm
Round 4
Sunday March 19
West v Sturt (Hisense Stadium) – 12pm
Round 5
Saturday March 25
West v Eagles (Hisense Stadium) – 12pm
The Bloods have pounced on AFLW experienced Ross after the 23-year-old gained employment in Adelaide.
Having previously lined up with Collingwood and Richmond, Ross is a left-footed rebounding defender who is sure to shine in the SANFLW.
Recruited from the Murray Bushrangers, Ross was a former junior Australian motocross champion.
Expect to see West’s Charlie Scutchings play a very different role in season 2023.
While the 18-year-old already boasts 29 SANFLW League games of experience in three seasons, she has more recently been used in a run-with role through the midfield.
New Bloods coach Bruce Dawes is eager to give Scutchings an opportunity in attack next year given she has already displayed promising signs during preseason training.