SANFLW Season 2023

[Bluedemon]

Hostplus SANFLW League Prelim Final Match Wrap
from sanfl website


Central District 9.8 (62) d Norwood 3.4 (22)
Central District has stormed into its first Hostplus SANFLW League grand final with an emphatic 40-point victory over Norwood in the preliminary final at X Convenience Oval.

Producing a tremendous team-orientated performance, the Bulldogs rarely looked threatened as they continued to build on their historic season.

The Bulldogs had already created a club first by qualifying for the finals, now they will confront South Adelaide in the title decider after dominating the Redlegs.

While it was a full team effort, Jasmine Evans was dangerous in attack with three goals, courageous Shelby Smith had an influence on the ball, Caitlin Wendland and Laitiah Huynh shone on the wing and Madison Lane, Shannon Murphy and Georgia Madigan did well in defence.

“We have got a great opportunity,” Bulldogs coach Ben Hunt said.

“We were disappointed about last week (second semi-final loss to the Panthers), we reviewed the game, and moved on.

“The girls brought their best today and hopefully they do that next week. Our pressure on the ball, the girls applied pressure for four quarters, was very pleasing and we hit up targets.”

The signs were ominous early, with the Bulldogs kicking the only goal of the first quarter to go with four behinds, while keeping the Redlegs scoreless.

The competition’s leading goalkicker Katelyn Rosenzweig kicked her second goal midway through the second term, only for the Redlegs to hit back with a goal to Alana Lishmund.

Chantel Reynolds then nailed two goals before half-time for the Bulldogs, but when Rosette Zerella goalled for the visitors early in the third term, the Redlegs threatened a comeback.

Evans then went to work, however, bagging three goals to reward the relentless pressure of teammates and blast the home side clear.

Tahlita Buethke and Lana Schwerdt, whose father Stephen was a former Bulldogs star, worked tirelessly for the Redlegs against the tide.

But the statistics did not lie, the Bulldogs amassing 39 trips inside 50 compared to the Redlegs’ 20 to underline their supremacy.

[DOC]

Centrals and South the two best teams all year so deserved to be in the grand final.

Well done to Centrals who have shown sharp improvement this year. Beat us very easily at Elizabeth this year.

[Bluedemon]

Window wins 2023 SANFLW Powerade Breakthrough Player

Explosive Glenelg midfielder Piper Window has won the 2023 SANFLW Powerade Breakthrough Player award after an exceptional individual campaign.

The Tigers’ 2021 premiership player relished spending more time in the midfield this season, averaging an impressive 20 disposals, six clearances and four inside 50s in her 11 Hostplus SANFLW League outings.

Nominated for her stunning performance in Round 1, the 17-year-old set the tone for her relentless pressure by applying 17 tackles against West Adelaide, en route to averaging an impressive eight per game in 2023.

Captain of the South Australian Girls U18 team, Window is the first Glenelg player to win the Powerade Breakthrough Player since the award’s inception when the SANFLW competition began in 2017.

Window, the granddaughter of 1965 Magarey Medallist Gary Window, was one of two Tigers nominated this season with teammate Madisyn Freeman earning acknowledgement in Round 5.

Glenelg’s No.8 was awarded with a $1,000 cash prize and trophy, courtesy of Powerade.

Central District led the way for nominations in 2023, with four Bulldogs – Caitlin Wendland, Laitiah Huynh, Elaine Grigg and Charlotte Riggs – featuring on the list of contenders.

To be eligible for the SANFLW Powerade Breakthrough Player Award, players must be aged 21 and under at the start of the year.

Window was selected by a panel of judges which included SANFL General Manager Football Matt Duldig, SANFL Female Talent Manager Robbie Neill, SANFL Football Operations Coordinator Daniel Joyce, SANFL Head of Football Operations Sean Toohey, SANFL Football Operations Administrator Lucy Herde and SANFL Media Producer Zac Milbank.

2023 SANFLW Powerade Breakthrough Player Nominees
Round 1 – Piper Window (Glenelg)
Round 2 – Monique Bessen (Sturt)
Round 3 – Caitlin Wendland (Central)
Round 4 – Laitiah Huynh (Central)
Round 5 – Madisyn Freeman (Glenelg)
Round 6 – India Rasheed (Sturt)
Round 7 – Elaine Grigg (Central)
Round 8 – Charlotte Riggs (Central)
Round 9 – Asha Dufour (West)
Round 10 – Marlie Fiegert (Eagles)
Round 11 – Brooke Boileau (South)
Round 12 – Molly Brooksby (Norwood)

[Bluedemon]

2023 The Advertiser SANFLW Team of the Year

Central District’s breakthrough campaign has been reflected in the 2023 The Advertiser SANFLW Team of the Year, with five Bulldogs and coach Ben Hunt selected in the elite line-up.

Qualifying for their inaugural Hostplus SANFLW League finals campaign, the Bulldogs lead the way for the class of 2023 with fellow finalists South Adelaide, Norwood and Sturt each having three players chosen.

All eight clubs have at least one representative in this year’s best-of-the-best as second-year mentor Hunt is rewarded for steering Central into second place as the SANFLW’s highest-scoring side throughout the minor round.

The girls from Elizabeth have three players chosen inside the attacking 50m arc, including the competition’s leading goal kicker in Katelyn Rosenzweig.

Speedy goalsneaks Caitlin Wendland and Elaine Grigg were also rewarded for their consistency while unheralded Georgia Madigan starts in defence with Bulldogs captain Shelby Smith returning to the line-up, this time on the interchange.

Minor premier South Adelaide has ruck Soriah Moon and consistent midfielder Brooke Boileau starting in the centre square with 16-year-old Esther Schirmer at full back.

Star Norwood recruit Tahlita Buethke lines up on one wing while teammates Tesharna Maher (half-forward flank) and Lana Schwerdt (interchange) have also played roles in earning a top-three finish this year.

Sturt skipper Kate Harris (centre) is not surprisingly the captain of the side thanks to her inspirational leadership at Unley while teammates Georgia Swan (half-back flank) and Isobel Kuiper (interchange) had influences in getting the Double Blues into the major round.

Kuiper, Rosenzweig and West Adelaide playmaker Lauren Young all recovered from serious knee injuries to gain selection, with the latter lining up at centre half-forward and her Bloods teammate Zoe Venning on the interchange.

Woodville-West Torrens skipper Annie Falkenberg is the team’s vice-captain while Glenelg gamebreaker Piper Window (ruck rover) is joined by emerging teammate Poppy Scholz (half-back flank).

In a rare absence from the major round this season, North Adelaide still had wing Katelyn Pope and ruck Isabelle Starmer (interchange) fly the red-and-white flag.

Based on performance across the minor round, the 2023 The Advertiser SANFLW Team of the Year was selected by SANFL Female Talent Manager Robbie Neill, SANFL Competitions Specialist -State Leagues Daniel Joyce, SANFL Head of Football Operations Sean Toohey, SANFL Football Operations Administrator Lucy Herde and SANFL Media Producer Zac Milbank.

2023 The Advertiser SANFLW Team of the Year Profiles
FORWARD POCKET – Caitlin Wendland (Central)
Making her debut in The Advertiser SANFLW Team of the Year, Wendland has enjoyed an exceptional season with the Bulldogs, averaging 15 disposals and seven tackles. Nominated for the Powerade Breakthrough Player award in Round 3, the 19-year-old is one of three triplets to have donned the Central guernsey with sisters Kasey and Jessica previously lining up at Elizabeth.

FULL FORWARD – Kaitlyn Rosenzweig (Central)
SANFLW’s leading goal kicker is a natural fit at full forward after tallying an impressive 21 majors across the minor round. Returning from a knee reconstruction in 2023, ”Rosey” also previously won the competition’s leading goal kicker award with North Adelaide in 2018.

HALF-FORWARD FLANK – Elaine Grigg (Central)
The third Central player chosen to start in attack for the 2023 SANFLW Team of the Year, Grigg thrived in her first season wearing the red, white and blue. Boasting great speed and evasive skills, the Powerade Breakthrough Player nominee booted six goals for the season as well as placing seventh in the competition for total handballs.

CENTRE HALF-FORWARD – Lauren Young (West)
Returning from a knee reconstruction this season, the Bloods’ superstar certainly didn’t disappoint as she racked up 209 disposals to rank sixth in the competition at 19 per game. The 2021 SANFLW Best and Fairest also hit the scoreboard with nine goals for the season.

HALF-FORWARD FLANK – Tesharna Maher (Norwood)
Celebrating her 50th Hostplus SANFLW League game in Sunday’s Preliminary Final, Maher averaged 14 disposals and four tackles a game in 2023 to be a consistent force for the finals-bound Redlegs.

WING – Tahlita Buethke (Norwood)
Making the switch to The Parade in 2023, Buethke displayed exactly why coach Brad Snell was so delighted to land her signature in the off-season. The hard-running midfielder averaged over 115 Ranking Points per game as she regularly carried the ball across lines in damaging fashion.

CENTRE – Kate Harris (Sturt)
The highly-respected Sturt skipper is a popular choice as captain of the 2023 The Advertiser SANFLW Team of the Year. Providing a significant presence through the centre square, ”Bubba” racked up an incredible average of 145 ranking points while averaging nine tackles a game.

WING – Katelyn Pope (North)
A natural fit for the wing with her penchant for using her leg speed and kicking the ball long with her left foot, Pope averaged more than 20 possessions per game in an impressive campaign with the Roosters.

HALF-BACK FLANK – Georgia Swan (Sturt)
A consistent force for the Double Blues wherever she was asked to play this season, Swan took the equal third most marks in the competition. While spending most of the year in defence, the 19-year-old kicked a career-high bag of three goals in Round 6.

CENTRE HALF-BACK – Poppy Scholz (Glenelg)
A member of the SA U18 Girls team in 2023, the 16-year-old broke through to be a reliable presence in the back half for Glenelg in just her second season of senior SANFLW football.

HALF-BACK FLANK – Annie Falkenberg (Eagles)
The sole Woodville-West Torrens representative this year, the Eagles skipper is selected as vice-captain of the 2023 SANFLW Team of the Year. Averaged more than 12 kicks per game while continually repelling opposition attacks this season.

BACK POCKET – Georgia Madigan (Central)
One of the prime movers behind Central making its inaugural finals appearance this year, Madigan averaged an impactful 12 disposals per game while also racking up 28 rebound 50s throughout the minor round.

FULL BACK – Esther Schirmer (South)
In just her second season of senior SANFLW football, Schirmer quickly became an integral cog in the Panthers’ defence despite being just 16 years of age. The SA U18 team member enjoyed a breakthrough effort in Round 7, racking up 21 disposals and six tackles.

RUCK – Soriah Moon (South)
Moon continually got things moving the Panthers’ way in 2023 while averaging a competition-best 24 hit out per game. The mobile ruck also moved around the ground in effective fashion to also average 14 disposals, four clearances and four tackles.

RUCK ROVER – Piper Window (Glenelg)
Posting a career-best campaign in 2023, Glenelg’s tenacious onballer averaged more than 20 disposals and an incredible 158 ranking points across 11 outings this season. The granddaughter of Magarey Medallist Gary Window, Piper Window set the tone for her season with a Powerade Breakthrough Player nomination in Round 1.

ROVER – Brooke Boileau (South)
A major reason behind the Panthers’ push toward the minor premiership Boileau kept on finding the footy in 2023, averaging 18 disposals per game. Her 14 kicks per match placed in her seventh the competition this year.

INTERCHANGE – Isobel Kuiper (Sturt)
Landing on the interchange for the second year in succession, Kuiper’s allround game is reflected in her 2023 numbers after posting an average of 167 ranking points from her eight appearances. The 22-year-old’s performance was exceptional after a delayed start to the season due to a knee injury.

INTERCHANGE – Lana Schwerdt (Norwood)
Week-in, week-out Schwerdt goes about her business with minimum fuss while dictating the tone for Norwood in the centre square. The daughter of former Central wingman Stephen Schwerdt registered impressive averages of 17 disposals, five tackles and five clearances.

INTERCHANGE – Zoe Venning (West)
Venning is a ball magnet in every sense of the word, as no player touched the ball more in the Hostplus SANFLW League this season. The Bloods midfielder averaged 23 possessions while racking up her 276 disposals for 2023.

INTERCHANGE – Isabelle Starmer (North)
Last year’s ruck in the SANFLW Team of the Year makes a return in 2023, this time starting from the interchange. Having an impact in her first season with the Roosters, Starmer ranked third in the competition for hit outs while also averaging more than 140 ranking points in 12 games.

INTERCHANGE – Shelby Smith (Central)
Central’s tough-tackling captain is another player backing up her SANFLW Team of the Year selection last year after an influential campaign in the midfield. Across her nine minor round games, Smith averaged just under 10 tackles a game, as well as 22 disposals.

COACH – Ben Hunt (Central)
In just his second season in charge at Central District, Hunt has guided the Bulldogs to their inaugural finals series on the back of finishing second across the minor round. Registering a club record nine wins in 2023, the Bulldogs are playing an entertaining brand of football under Hunt’s tutelage as the competition’s highest-scoring team this year.

[Bluedemon]

Piper Window wins 2023 SANFLW Best and Fairest

Glenelg midfielder Piper Window has been fittingly rewarded for her stunning season, winning the 2023 Hostplus SANFLW League Best and Fairest Award.

The third Bays player to be crowned the competition’s best alongside Courtney Gum in 2017 and Jessica Bates in 2022, Window also claimed honours in the Kia Coaches Award while being named ruck rover in The Advertiser SANFLW Team of the Year.

Polling a total of 19 votes, the 17-year-old edged out West Adelaide ball magnet Zoe Venning on 17 votes and North Adelaide onballer Jess Edwards on 13.

Bursting out of the blocks to poll 13 votes in the opening six games, Window held on to win by attracting maximum votes in Rounds 10 and 11.

”My heart was shaking, I knew I was in with a chance but I thought it was going to be Zoe winning,” Window said.

”This is incredible. I’ve loved playing footy. I love going to training with the girls – sometimes you have a bad day but when you go to training it makes it all better.”

Glenelg’s No.8 was adjudged best afield by the field umpires on five occasions – in Rounds 2, 3, 5, 10 and 11.

The 2021 Tigers premiership player also claimed honours to win the Powerade Breakthrough Player award as the competition’s most promising player aged under 21 at the start of the season.

Averaging more than 20 disposals, six clearances and 159 Champion Data ranking points per game, Window also displayed her willingness to defend by averaging an outstanding eight tackles per game in 2023.

Starting her football journey with the powerful Morphettville Park Football Club, Window is the granddaughter of Central District’s 1965 Magarey Medallist Gary Window and her brother Hunter Window is currently a member of the Bays’ senior squad.

Making her debut for Glenelg in 2021, Window has now racked up 33 SANFLW games with the Tigers, including the team’s memorable first SANFLW premiership in the club’s centenary season.

2023 SANFLW Best and Fairest Leaderboard
Piper Window (Glenelg) 19
Zoe Venning (West) 17
Jessica Edwards (North) 13
Shelby Smith* (Central) 12
Lauren Young (West) 11
Tahlita Buethke (Norwood) 11
Elaine Grigg (Central) 11
Isabelle Starmer (North) 11

[Bluedemon]

Kia Coaches Award

Glenelg’s Piper Window added to her lengthening list of accolades by taking home the 2023 Kia Coaches Award.

Cruising to victory with 59 votes ahead of runner-up Tahlita Buethke (Norwood) on 44 votes, Window earned the ultimate respect of the SANFLW coaches while also winning the 2023 SANFL Best and Fairest Award and being named in The Advertiser SANFLW Team of the Year.

Attracting votes in her first seven outings this season, the Bays’ prolific ball-winner earned the highest praise of the SANFLW mentors by being named best afield with maximum votes in Round 2, Round 3 and Round 11.

Window, 17, wins a $500 cash prize and a trophy courtesy of Kia.

Behind Buethke in second place, Central captain Shelby Smith was third with 43 votes, together with North veteran Jessica Edwards while Sturt’s Isobel Kuiper was fifth on 42.

Piper Window (Glenelg) 59
Tahlita Buethke (Norwood) 44
Shelby Smith (Central) 43
Jessica Edwards (North) 43
Isobel Kuiper (Sturt) 42

[Bluedemon]

AAMI Leading Goal Kicker

Central District star Katelyn Rosenzweig completed a fairytale comeback from serious injury to win the AAMI Leading Goal Kicker Award.

Returning from a knee reconstruction in 2023, the Bulldogs’ forward kicked a total of 21 goals across her 12 minor round matches.

The 22-year-old hit the scoreboard in 10 of her 12 minor round outings, including a season-best haul of four against Sturt in Round 8.

It is the second time Rosenzweig has won the SANFLW Leading Goal Kicker trophy, having also saluted in 2018 while playing with North Adelaide.

Originally from the Hamley Bridge Football Club, Rosenzweig was also selected at full forward in The Advertiser SANFLW Team of the Year.

Rosenzweig, who finished in front of retiring Glenelg veteran Chelsea Packer (Glenelg) on 16 goals, was awarded a $500 prize courtesy of AAMI.

Katelyn Rosenzweig (Central District) 21 goals
Chelsea Packer (Glenelg) 16 goals
Sky Jensen (North Adelaide) 11 goals
Tessa Doumanis (Sturt) 10 goals
Jemma Whittington-Charity (Woodville-West Torrens) 10 goals
Najwa Allen (Norwood) 10 goals

[Bluedemon]

SA Power Networks Leadership Award

Sturt captain Kate Harris has won the SA Power Networks Leadership Award after being nominated by the Double Blues for her outstanding team-first approach in 2023.

Introduced in 2021, the SA Power Networks Leadership Award recognises players for their off-field attitude as much as their on-field achievements.

Retiring Sturt skipper Maya Rigter, who Harris replaced during the season, won the inaugural award while Norwood captain Alison Ferrall claimed honours last year.

The award was developed from the Female Personal Pathways program – a series of workshops and forums covering leadership, financial and career development, club culture and mental health education.

SANFL clubs nominated a player based on a number of criteria, including demonstrating care in mentoring younger players at their club, inspiring and encouraging personal development and having values that reflect those of their club.

Harris, who was named captain of The Advertiser SANFLW Team of the Year, will receive a $10,000 contribution towards her studies at Torrens University.

[Bluedemon]

Central District v South - Prospect Oval - 2:15pm

SOUTH
F: Jordann Hickey (4), Lucy Northcott (12)
HF: Alissa Brook (53), Jorja Hooper (38), Lily Baxter (56)
C: Elise Barwick (24), Caitlin Couch (8), Holly Ifould (2)
HB: Mel Anderson (52), Esther Schirmer (23), Tiffany Copley (14)
B: Jaslynne Smith (35), Sam Pratt (22)
R: Soriah Moon (32), Brooke Boileau (37), Senna Gulden (25)
INT: Czenya Cavouras (11), Charlotte Dolan (28), Nicole Mark (16), Sarah Wright (5), Lauren Clifton (41), Bri Cleggett (27), Gypsy Schirmer (36), Cailtin Radbone (34)
IN: Caitlin Couch, Gypsy Schirmer, Nicole Mark


CENTRAL
F: Shannon Murphy (10), Lauren Breguet (28)
HF: Jovanka Zecevic (23), Georgia Avery (18), Elaine Grigg (8)
C: Dakota Williams (38), Shelby Smith (1), Sophie Eaton (12)
HB: Caitlen Teague (17), Charlotte Riggs (9), Tess Gerhardy (33)
B: Laitiah Huynh (41), Karissa Searle (22)
R: Katelyn Rosenzweig (2), Jasmine Evans (27), Georgia Madigan (7)
INT: Caitlin Wendland (42), Demi Sonneman (20), Madison Lane (40), Shelby Raven (36), Chantel Reynolds (30), Tiarna Grovermann (45), Jessica Schulz (11), Nicola Biagi (31)

[DOC]

South by a point.

[Big Phil]

This one should be an intriguing contest...

The best defensive side in the comp against on the most attacking sides...

Head say South, heart says Central and we can't tip a draw, of course

Dogs by 6 points, Shelby Smith to win BOG medal.

Good to see it being broadcast on Channel 7.

[Bluedemon]

Stage set for 2023 Hostplus SANFLW League Grand Final

The 2023 Hostplus SANFL Women’s League culminates in the Grand Final this Sunday, with South Adelaide taking on Central District in the big dance at Prospect Oval.

Minor premiers South Adelaide will be eager to claim their third SANFLW premiership, while Central District – in its first SANFLW grand final appearance – are just a win away from a historic inaugural premiership for the Club.

The two sides have only met twice this year, with Central District winning by 32 points in Round 3 and the Panthers overcoming the Bulldogs by 11 points in last month’s first semi-final.

Led by their 2019 premiership coach Rick Watts, the Panthers will feature three players selected in The Advertiser 2023 Team of the Year – Esther Schirmer, Soriah Moon and Brooke Boileau.

Central District – the success story of the season, features Team of the Year players Caitlin Wendland, Kaitlyn Rosenzweig, Elaine Grigg, Georgia Madigan and Shelby Smith.

Rosenzweig also claimed the AAMI Leading Goalkicker Award, kicking 21 goals across her 12 minor round matches are returning from injury this season.

Central District coach Ben Hunt, in just his second season in charge at Central District, was named coach of the 2023 The Advertiser SANFLW Team of the Year.

The Hostplus SANFLW Grand Final day will be a celebration of female footy in SA, with female AFL Auskick and Little League (9-12 years) games on the ground as a curtain raiser, followed by Coles Mini League games at half time.

The match day will also feature the SANFL Super Match ‘family zone’ presented by The Advertiser, including mini-golf, giant lawn games, inflatable footy games, McDonald’s giveaways and Hostplus celebration goal cards for both teams.

There will also be the AAMI Chill Out zone with deck chairs and blankets for spectators to sit back and watch the Grand Final action unfold.

Ticket entry is $10 for adults and concession, pre-purchase on the SANFL website at https://sanfl.com.au/league/tickets/ or at the gate, with all proceeds to be re-invested into growing female footy in SA. Under 18s FREE.

The SA Football Budget Hostplus SANFLW Grand Final edition, featuring ones to watch and team lists, will be available for sale at the ground for $5.

Match and broadcast details
South Adelaide v Central District

Sunday June 11 | Prospect Oval | 2:15pm

Gates open 12:00pm

Tickets – $10 Adults and Concession. Under 18s FREE. Pre-purchase on the SANFL website.

Broadcast Live and Free on Seven and 7plus | Live stream on SANFL Now | Listen live on 1629 SEN SA & SEN App

[StrayDog]

I'll be there cheering for Shelby, 'Rosey' Rosenzweig, Griggy, G and the team as they fight it out to bring yet another flag home to the CDFC.

'Doggy fans, get out to Prossy this Sunday arvo and make a racket!

[Pseudo]

Watching this now. Fair crowd there, and the intensity of the play is good.

[StrayDog]

^^

Sure is a good turnout. Been well off before but looks like about 3500 to me.

[Gozu]

Not sure if it's been mentioned previously but how come they're playing the GF at Prospect?

[RB]

Neutral ground, reasonably convenient location, one imagines...

[mighty_tiger_79]

its all happening

[mighty_tiger_79]

that was interesting finish.
only saw the last half but the girls certainly cracked in.

centrals the 2nd best team all year, until it counted

[Wedgie]

Congratulations to the female dogs from Elizabeth.