SANFL’s ZAC MILBANK breaks down all you need to know about the Eagles heading into the 2023 SANFL Women’s League season.
Finished – 7th
Record – 3 wins, 9 losses
Best and Fairest – Sophie Zuill
Runner Up – Annie Falkenberg
Third Place – Shineah Goody & Jessica Sedunary
The Advertiser SANFLW Team of the Year –McKenzie Dowrick (Centre Half-Forward), Shineah Goody (Wing)
COMING
Leah Cutting (Norwood/St Kilda), Poppy Waterford (North Adelaide/Gaza), Beatrice Devlyn (West Adelaide), Hannah Scholar (West Adelaide)
GOING
Charlotte Dolan (South Adelaide), Jordann Hickey (South Adelaide), Steph Walker (West Adelaide), Zahn Anthony (retired/Rugby), Leah Kaslar (Queensland), Bree Hyde (Western Australia)
Round 1
Saturday February 18
Central v Eagles (X Convenience Oval) – 12pm
Round 2
Saturday February 25
Eagles v Glenelg (Hisense Stadium) – 2pm
Round 3
Saturday March 4
North v Eagles (X Convenience Oval) – 2pm
Round 4
Friday March 17
Norwood v Eagles (The Parade) – 7.30pm
Round 5
Saturday March 25
West v Eagles (Hisense Stadium) – 12pm
The biggest shock in the SANFLW off-season was the arrival of Norwood premiership ruck Leah Cutting at Oval Avenue.
Cutting, who became the first SANFLW player to chalk up 50 games with Leah Tynan in 2021, was seeking a fresh start after spending 2022 in St Kilda’s AFLW program.
Linking up with her former coach at Morphettville Park and current Eagles mentor Narelle Smith, the 30-year-old has quickly been installed to the leadership group as her new club’s vice-captain.
Lined up in seven SANFLW League games last year but Portaro has been earmarked to step her game up a notch in 2023.
Appearing previously as a small defender, the 16-year-old has impressed coach Narelle Smith on the training track to the point she may earn midfield time in 2023.