Coaches Report: SANFL Women’s – Round 10

West Adelaide 5.4.34 Vs Norwood 5.3.33

This week we faced Norwood at Hisense Stadium, following the Senior Men’s match. It was a must-win game to keep ourselves in the hunt for a top-four finish.

We had just one change to the lineup: Nicole Hooper was ruled out with sore ribs, making way for Steph Tredwell to play her first game of the season.

To the girls’ credit, we started strongly. Our midfield group—Chloe Tonkin, Zoe Venning, Hannah Button, and Ruby Ballard—got us off to a great start, winning early clearances and setting the tone.

Both defences were strong early, with each side repelling several forward entries. Our first goal came at the 10-minute mark, following repeated inside 50s. Ruby Ballard found Chelsea Newitt on the lead, who took a strong mark and converted from 25 metres out.

Norwood responded with a goal of their own at the 16-minute mark after some good play through the middle. The contest remained tight, but just before quarter time, Ruby Ballard capitalised on a front-and-centre opportunity, running onto the ball and snapping truly from 30 metres. We went into the first break leading 2.1 to 2.1.

The second quarter continued in the same hard-fought manner. Norwood hit the scoreboard first via a free kick at the seven-minute mark, giving them a one-point lead. To our credit, we kept pushing, and at the 18-minute mark, Chloe Tonkin took the ball from a throw-up inside our forward 50 and snapped truly, regaining a five-point lead at the half.

Our defenders—Madi Russell, Pip Worthy, and Niamh Davis—were outstanding, limiting Norwood to just two goals in the first half.

At halftime, our focus was on maintaining defensive pressure and improving our 45-degree kicks and transition play to create better forward entries.

We opened the third quarter well, with Hannah Button leading by example. Her midfield pressure and clearance work resulted in a holding-the-ball decision in our forward half. She then hit up second-gamer Sarah Deed, who calmly slotted the goal to stretch our lead to 12 points.

Unfortunately, a turnover across half-back gifted Norwood a goal just minutes later. Another mistake exiting the back pocket allowed them to level the scores with their fourth goal. Norwood’s defence continued to stand tall, and late in the quarter, they added another to take a seven-point lead into the final change.

Despite trailing, we remained confident heading into the last quarter, knowing we’d played strong football and only let them in through avoidable errors.

The final quarter began with intense pressure from both teams. We scored an early behind to cut the margin to a single goal. Around the seven-minute mark, we transitioned cleanly from defence, and the ball ended up in the hands of Lucy Waye, who kicked truly from 25 metres straight in front, levelling the scores.

The game was played between the arcs for several minutes. Norwood looked like they might break the deadlock, but a brilliant tackle by Tiana Fernandez stopped their momentum and sent the ball back our way.

With around four minutes to go, Zoe Venning won a free kick 30 metres out. Her shot landed on the line and was touched through, giving us a one-point lead.

Our composure in the final minutes was exceptional. Key moments included a brilliant chase-down effort and turnover by captain and 50-gamer Madi Russell, and an intercept mark by Tess Huxtable to keep control of the ball. When the final siren sounded, we had held on for a gutsy one-point victory.

It was a special win for multiple reasons: celebrating Madi Russell’s 50th SANFLW game—a huge achievement, especially after two knee reconstructions—and also marking the club’s 100th SANFLW game, with several past players in attendance.

– Bruce Dawes – SANFLW Coach

Best Players:

• Hannah Button – relentless in the midfield, setting the standard
• Ruby Ballard – important clearances and a crucial goal
• Madi Russell – inspirational captain’s performance in defence
• Emily Mableson – worked hard across half-back, kept her opponent quiet
• Tess Huxtable – provided first use in the ruck and key moments late

Goal Kickers:

• Ruby Ballard (1.1)
• Sarah Deed (1.0)
• Chelsea Newitt (1.0)
• Chloe Tonkin (1.0)
• Lucy Waye (1.0)