21
Apr
Central Women
Hodges leads unbeaten West as Central race tightens
West Adelaide forward Chloe Hodges filled the stat sheet with 16 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists and seven steals in a Round 5 win. Photo: Dan Cowley
Chloe Hodges leads unbeaten West Adelaide as Sturt matches pace and Round 5 shapes the NBL1 Central
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Chloe Hodges and West Adelaide are unbeaten, with Sturt right alongside them as the NBL1 Central women’s race tightens after Round 5.
West Adelaide and Sturt are both 5–0.
They haven’t slipped, and no one else has matched them yet. Right now, it’s about who breaks first.
West Adelaide is doing it with scoring and pressure. Sturt is doing it with control.
The pack is still trying to settle
Southern Tigers and South Adelaide sit at 3–2, with Forestville back to 3–3 after two wins.
There’s no clear third team yet. That group is still sorting itself out.
Win a couple, you move up. Drop one, you’re back in it.
West Adelaide sets the benchmark
West Adelaide made the biggest statement of the round, beating Central Districts 106–61 to stay unbeaten.
West Adelaide 106 def. Central Districts 61 – Watch the Replay
West Adelaide set the tone early with 28 in the first quarter and never let it shift.
Sienna Lehmann led with 20 points on efficient shooting, while Coco Hodges added 17 points and eight rebounds.
The difference was across the board. Chloe Hodges finished with 16 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists and seven steals, controlling the game at both ends.
West Adelaide finished with 51 rebounds and 16 steals, turning stops into scoring runs.
Central Districts couldn’t keep up, shooting 36.7% and turning it over 29 times.
West Adelaide is controlling games from the start.
Forestville steadied
Forestville needed a response and got it, beating Central Districts 85–61 to back up its weekend and get back on track.
Forestville 85 def. Central Districts 61 – Watch the Replay
Forestville led 24–12 after the first quarter and controlled the game from there.
Jessica Simons was the difference with 34 points, hitting 10 threes and stretching the floor all game.
Inside, Sarah Boothe added 14 points on 5-from-6 shooting, while Sydney Hunter controlled the boards with 12 rebounds.
Forestville finished with 24 assists and 48 rebounds, creating better shots and controlling tempo.
Central Districts again struggled to contain runs, shooting 38.7% and turning it over 20 times.
Forestville stopped the slide and found its rhythm again.
Central Districts is under pressure
At 1–5, Central Districts has taken two heavy losses.
They’re giving up points too easily and not getting stops when games turn.
Bottom group needs something to change
North Adelaide and Eastern Mavericks are both 1–4.
There’s time, but they need wins soon.
What the round told us
- West Adelaide and Sturt haven’t slipped
- The middle group is still open
- Some teams are already chasing
You can see the split starting to form.
Round 6 Watchlist – Women
Game of the Round
West Adelaide Bearcats vs Norwood Flames
West Adelaide is unbeaten.
Norwood win = closes the gap
West win = keeps control
Top vs chasing group
Norwood Flames vs Forestville Eagles
Forestville just steadied.
Win = stays in the mix
Loss = drops back
Control Games
- Eastern Mavericks vs Sturt Sabres
- Sturt Sabres vs Southern Tigers
Sturt hasn’t lost yet.
Momentum vs response
Central Districts vs South Adelaide
Central needs a response.
Round 6 Questions
- Can West Adelaide and Sturt stay unbeaten?
- Who becomes the clear third team?
- Can Forestville hold its form?
- Can Central Districts get stops?
- Which lower teams find a win?
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