THE 2023 ADVERTISER SANFLW TEAM OF THE YEAR BY ZAC MILBANK
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. Surging into its inaugural Hostplus SANFLW League grand FF C. WENDLAND (CD), K. ROSENZWEIG (CD) final, Central leads the way for the class of 2023 with fellow finalists South Adelaide, Norwood and Sturt each having three E. GRIGG (CD), L. YOUNG (WA), T. MAHER (N) HF players chosen. There are three Central players inside the attacking 50m arc, including the competition’s leading goalkicker Katelyn T. BUETHKE (N), K. HARRIS [C] (S), K. POPE (NA) C Rosenzweig. Speedy goalsneaks Caitlin Wendland and Elaine Grigg were also rewarded for their consistency while G. SWAN (S), P. SCHOLZ (G), A. FALKENBERG [VC] (WWT) HB unheralded Georgia Madigan starts in defence with Bulldogs captain Shelby Smith returning to the line-up, this time on the interchange. Minor premier South has ruck G. MADIGAN (CD), E. SCHIRMER (SA) FB Soriah Moon and consistent midfielder Brooke Boileau in the centre square, with INTERCHANGE 16-year-old Esther Schirmer at full back. COACH Glenelg dynamo Piper Window, named as B. HUNT (CD) L. SCHWERDT (N) Z. VENNING (WA) follower, on Tuesday night was rewarded I. STARMER (NA) for her stunning season, winning the RUCK I. KUIPER (S) S. SMITH (CD) SANFLW best-and-fairest award. The third S. MOON (SA) P. WINDOW (G) Tiger to be crowned the competition’s most B. BOILEAU (SA) brilliant after Courtney Gum in 2017 and Jess Bates last season, Window polled 19 votes, edging out West Adelaide’s Zoe flank) and Isobel Kuiper (interchange) had influences Venning (17) and North on-baller Jess Edwards (13). in lifting the Blues into the major round. Star Norwood recruit Tahlita Buethke lines up on a wing The Advertiser SANFLW Team of the Year was selected while team-mates Tesharna Maher (half-forward flank) by SANFL female talent manager Robbie Neill, football and Lana Schwerdt (interchange) also played roles in operations coordinator Daniel Joyce, head of football earning a top-three finish. Sturt skipper Kate Harris operations Sean Toohey, football administrator Lucy (centre) is captain thanks to her inspirational leadership at Unley, while team-mates Georgia Swan (half-back Herde and media producer Zac Milbank.
MATTY AT THE DOUBLE
Matthew Allen on the lookout for runs as captain of SA’s under-17 title win in 2014. Photo: Peter Argent
It’s hardly surprising Glenelg’s Matthew Allen has starred for SA against WA in the Croweaters’ wins in the past two seasons. Because Allen has had quite a bit of experience representing the State – and playing in big wins. And not just in footy. Allen had a bright future in cricket as he played State under12s, under-15s and under-17s. And he captained SA’s national title-winning under-17 side of 2014. Allen, who booted the winning goal with a stunning, last-gasp shot on the run from 50 metres against Adelaide last week, helped sink the WAFL with 24 possessions in Perth last season and 16 more in this year’s great SA win at Adelaide Oval. PAGE 9: Full story sanfl.com.au
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