Coaches Report SANFLW Round 5

Norwood 9.10 (64) Def West Adelaide 0.1 (1)

A week is a long time in football. One week you can be on a high the next week you can be left feeling very low.

We traveled for the first time this year, to play the competition benchmark team in Norwood, who were sitting unbeaten atop of the League ladder.

Prior to the game we lost our midfield enforcer, the in form Bridie Stouppos through injury. This allowed Olivia Smith, to come into the side to become our second 15yo making their debut for the year.

Norwood were strengthened with the inclusion of current AFLW listed players Sally Riley ( Adelaide) and Ebony O’Dea (GWS). This allowed them to field their strongest side for the year boasting a total of 6 players who have current or recent AFLW listed experience.

As the score line reflected we were simply outplayed, out worked and out classed by an opponent who across the ground were taller, physically stronger and more desperate to win than we were. For us Maddi Newman was again one of our best players and should have cemented her spot within the State U18 team. Chelsea Biddell battled valiantly showing her flexibility by playing in all areas on the ground and our captain Lauren Rodato also showed her courage and competitiveness.

Overall though this was a disappointing loss and although the vast difference in age and experience between the two teams could be an easy excuse to make, we need to be better than what we were. The loss has severely dented our percentage and put us back amongst a number of teams fighting for finals spots.

This week we need to regather, refocus and look to redeem ourselves against Sturt who are coming off their first win of the season and are a better team than what their record may suggest.

Best Players: M. Newman, C. Biddell, L. Rodato, K. Culhane, E. Hingston