SANFL’s ZAC MILBANK breaks down all you need to know about the Bays heading into the 2024 Hostplus SANFL Women’s League season.
Finished – 5th
Record – 6 wins, 6 losses
Best and Fairest – Piper Window
Runner Up – Ellie Kellock
Third Place – Madi Freeman
The Advertiser SANFLW Team of the Year – Piper Window (Ruck Rover), Poppy Scholz (Centre Half-Back)
COMING
Jess Bates (returned/Collingwood VFL), Alex Pearce (Sturt), Ash Dyer (Port Lincoln), Chloe Harding (Morphettville Park), Kayla Robran (Norwood), Kiahni Russell (South Adelaide), Jorja Eldridge (North Adelaide), Katrice Turner (North Adelaide), Sophie Thomas (Glenelg juniors), Elizabeth Johnson (Glenelg juniors)
GOING
Piper Window (Port Adelaide AFLW), Chelsea Packer (retired/Payneham), Caitlyn Swanson (retired), Mykaela Walker (Norwood), Casie Coombe (South Adelaide)
Round 1
Saturday March 2
North v Glenelg at Thebarton Oval – 6.30pm
Round 2
Saturday March 9
Glenelg v Sturt at Hisense Stadium – 2.20pm
Round 3
Saturday March 16
Central v Glenelg at X Convenience Oval – 11.30am
Round 4
Saturday March 23
West v Glenelg at Hisense Stadium – 12pm
Round 5
Friday March 29
Glenelg v South at Stratarama Stadium – 2.10pm
Jess Bates was a seemingly unstoppable force for the Tigers in 2022, earning the SANFLW Best-and-Fairest award.
And there is a strong sense that very little will change upon her return to Glenelg this season.
The 28-year-old was dominant for Collingwood in the VFLW last season, racking up a League-high 453 disposals at an average of 26.6 while also hitting the scoreboard for 11 goals.
Bates’ presence at the Bay will certainly assist in countering the absence of 2023 SANFLW Best-and-Fairest Piper Window, who was drafted to Port Adelaide.
Violet Patterson was quick to approach coach Lexi Edwards before preseason began last year.
Glenelg’s promising midfielder was eager to step up a notch to ensure she would have an impact in 2024 and according to Edwards, this is certainly unfolding.
Boasting great speed and an ability to run and carry, Patterson – the daughter of former Collingwood and Norwood rover Stephen – is expected to be a key midfield cog this season.
Displaying great maturity, the 18-year-old has also been added to the Tigers’ leadership group to work with captain Sam Franson.