SANFLW Match Wrap | Round 6

Round 6 was the perfect opportunity to finish off the day after our Men’s League side had a great win. The atmosphere was great at Stratarama Stadium.

Norwood are an experienced opponent and we knew the game would require our best contested football.

The first quarter was a stalemate with both sides playing defensive football. It was extremely tight around the contest, and neither side were able to wrestle momentum with outside ball movement once the ball exited stoppage or contest. The second quarter brought difficult conditions once the rain began falling. Great ball movement from the middle of the ground through Asha Dufour hit up Kaitey Whittaker on the lead. Kaitey ran around her opponent on the mark from 40 metres out and converted truly. Norwood equalised shortly before half time.

The third quarter was another stalemate, with the rain affecting both sides’ ability to play attacking football. Our back six held up their shape behind the ball with discipline and locked the ball in the front half of the ground for long periods of time. Our backline were dominant over their opposition forwards with Marie Martino (25 disposals) providing us great spread and run from defence, and Ash Dyer-Pietsch with her strongest performance of the season with excellent rebound run off half back (16 disposals). We felt confident at three quarter time knowing that if we converted opportunities, despite the conditions being difficult, we would give ourselves a great chance to secure a win.

Disappointingly in the last quarter, we were beaten in clearances and contested ball around the ground, and Norwood got over the top of us in the last 10 minutes. It’s a really strong lesson for us when we review the way our fundamental skill errors cost us better forward connection, and other missed opportunities in front of goal.

A big positive for our GFCW program has been the performance of our Development League (Reserves) this season. I am sure you will have seen the results on social media and our website where we had a fantastic win against South Adelaide on Sunday in the Grand Final. Brooklyn Kraft, Madisyn Freeman, and Bailey Broome were all outstanding for us and led from the front all day with composure and hard work.

We now have a bye week as the SANFLW State team takes on Western Australia at Adelaide Oval this Saturday. Our GFCW League team resume for Round 7 on Sunday 11 May against ladder leaders Woodville-West Torrens. See you there!