Tasmanian Courtney Webb loving life on the pitch for South Australia

Courtney Webb’s blistering form for South Australia in the WNCL has her all but ruling out a return to her former code. See her reasons.

Ryan Rosendale

@RosendaleRyan

2 min read

February 7, 2023 - 1:20PM

HOBART, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 06: Courtney Webb of the Scorpions hits a boundary during the WNCL match between Tasmanian Tigers and South Australia Scorpions at Blundstone Arena, on February 06, 2023, in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

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Courtney Webb has all but ruled out a return to AFLW with the Tasmanian’s choice to focus on cricket vindicated by her outstanding WNCL form this season.

The competition’s second highest run scorer returned to her home state in Tasmania on Monday and batted her way to a second consecutive century in South Australia’s first loss of the season against the Tigers at Blundstone Arena.

But after juggling her time with the Tigers, the Melbourne Renegades and Carlton during her first few years as a professional sportswoman, Webb said a return to football wasn’t on the cards anytime soon.

“It was a bit of a challenge back then when I was trying to juggle it all but it’s a lot easier on the body just playing the one sport,” Webb said.

“A couple of girls are potentially still trying to do it but now that the WBBL tournament clashes with AFLW season it does make it a little bit harder.

“We know that Jess Duffin had to make the choice this season and missed out playing for the Renegades again so I think it is definitely getting a little bit harder with those clashing schedules. I’ve spoken to a few old coaches but it’s not really an option for me at the moment.”

After scoring an unbeaten 101 against New South Wales on January 21, the Launceston-born Webb backed it up with another unbeaten stand of 110 against her old side in Monday’s six-wicket loss.

Webb’s season total of 404 runs is only second behind Victoria’s Ellyse Perry (435) with the 23-year-old a strong chance to overtake Perry given she is on international duties for the T20 World Cup with Australia.

Courtney Webb during the Carlton Blues AFLW 2019 official team photo day at Ikon Park on December 19, 2018. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media)

“I think it’s just coming together at this time of the season. I probably didn’t get off to the best start, the start I wanted too before the WBBL kicked off, but everything is coming together and starting to click a bit now there has been more games,” the Scorpions batter said.

Last year’s grand finalists will again play on Wednesday in a day-night affair with Webb hopeful they can leave her home state with a win after failing on their past two attempts.

“It was close so I think it’s just trusting our game still. If we take a catch or get a run-out it might have been a different result so not too many things have to change but hopefully a bigger contribution all-round with the bat and hopefully we can get over the line,” Webb said.

While she admits missing home, Webb said she was loving her time in South Australia and wasn’t sure a return to the Tigers would be on the cards anytime soon.

“I always miss being away from home but I just love playing for South Australia at the moment,” Webb said.

“Luke Williams (Scorpions coach) has been great to me and given me a lot of opportunities and I want to repay that for sure.”

Wednesday’s game kicks off from 2pm.

Originally published as Tasmanian Courtney Webb loving life on the pitch for South Australia