Successful start to Tiger Women’s 2024 campaign

Our season opener against North Adelaide ended with the Glenelg Women’s team running out 22 point winners in a turbulent game of football. While it’s always good to start the season with a win, there were plenty of take aways and things that we need to fine tune in the coming weeks. Glenelg came out firing early with a goal to junior Eloise Mackereth to get us started for the night. In a game where it felt like we should have had more reward for effort, we dominated possession in the first but lacked composure inside 50 to apply score board pressure. Sarah Goodwin was everywhere across the backline using her pace and run to break the lines of North Adelaide.

A new look North Adelaide came out fierce in the second quarter and although were able to surge the ball forward, they managed only one goal with the breeze with their +6 inside 50s for the quarter. Our defense was a standout all night, particular highlights was Tamsyn Morriss reading off their player to intercept mark with work rate at ground level of Marie Martino.

It felt like we were able to wrestle the game back on our terms in the third but again, didn’t get much scoreboard pressure. Our midfield was relentless all night, Piper Window worked her way into the game but had great support in Ellie Kellock who led the night with 7 clearances. A mark to returned best and fairest winner Jess Bates gave us the edge leading into the last quarter. Bates over the night amassed 36 disposals to go with her goal in a game where she proved why she’s one of the best midfielders in the competition.

A move of Violet Patterson to the wing saw Glenelg’s ability to open the game wider and use the space that we are accustomed to. Poppy Scholz led the way in defense through the last marking everything that came near her and spearheading our counterattack forward. A focus for us was our ability to run out the game after last season being 8^th for score differential in the last season. The team managed to break free from the earlier congestion, returning to their preferred style of play, something I hope we can build on in the coming weeks. Pleasingly, we were able to capitalise on our inside 50s for the quarter adding 2 goals to the score sheet through Mackereth and new tiger Jorja Eldridge.

Overall, a good foundation and insight into what this team is capable of when they trust the systems and ball movement we want to showcase. Having added 4 players from AFLW teams since the trials, the connection between the players and group will only improve in the coming weeks. Well done to our new tigers Ash Dyer, Chloe Harding, Jorja Eldridge and Alex Pearce showcasing why we added them to our list in the off season.

– Lexia Edwards, Senior Coach

Goal Kickers: Mackereth (2), Bates, Eldridge

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