SOUTH Adelaide is back in a big way in the SANFL Women’s competition, winning its fifth straight match in the 2024 season, this time the grand final rematch. The Panthers proved too strong for Central District, booting the first five goals of the match and containing the Dogs to just two majors for the match in a 7.4 (46) to 2.4 (16) victory.

Both teams came into the match with 4-2 records to their name, and after a low-scoring start that saw the Dogs hold up well defensively, the game opened up in the second term. Doreena Hansen provided the spark the Panthers needed, with her, then Litonya Cockatoo-Motlap and Emily Brockhurst both adding to the home side’s score. When Brockhurst kicked her second just after half-time, the Panthers had booted five unanswered goals.

Leading by 33 points with five minutes to play in the third term, the Bulldogs finally got a major on the board through classy left-footer Caitlin Wendland to give them a sniff of hope. That hope was quickly diminished in the fourth, after a couple of near misses for the Dogs was capitalised on by South Adelaide via Nikki Nield. Bottom-ager Sophie Eaton maintained her accurate goalkicking streak with a consolation major, before Brockhurst capped off South’s performance with a third goal.

Midfielder Jordann Hickey was best on ground, dominating around the clearances on her way to 23 disposals, five marks – two contested – three tackles and nine clearances, working well with Nield (22 disposals, seven tackles, five clearances, four inside 50s and a goal) and Caitlin Couch (24 disposals, five marks, five tackles and three clearances) winning plenty of it. Over-ager Melissa Anderson had her moments of brilliance as well.

For the Bulldogs, Shelby Smith was consistent as ever in her 50th game, collecting 21 touches, four clearances, three inside 50s and laying 10 tackles, while on the wing, Laitiah Huynh was a standout with 21 disposals, three tackles and three clearances. Caitlen Teague, Jasmine Evans and Jovanka Zecevic were also among the best.

SOUTH ADELAIDE 1.0 | 4.1 | 5.4 | 7.4 (46)
CENTRAL DISTRICT 0.0 | 0.1 | 1.2 | 2.4 (16)

GOALS:
South Adelaide: E. Brockhurst 3, Lit. Cockatoo-Motlap, M. Anderson, D. Hansen, N. Nield
Central District: S. Eaton, C. Wendland

RMC BEST:
South Adelaide: J. Hickey, N. Nield, C. Couch E. Brockhurst, M. Anderson
Central District: S. Smith, L. Huynh, C. Teague, J. Evans, J. Zecevic

Bays keep top spot after clipping Eagles’ wings

Glenelg retained its place at the top of the SANFLW ladder after a 13-point win over Woodville-West Torrens Eagles. After a tight opening half that saw the ladder leaders take a three-point lead into half-time, the Eagles refused to go away and continued to hold up defensively. In the end though, Glenelg just had that bit more firepower and were able to kick two goals to one in the second half to secure the 4.7 (31) to 3.0 (18) victory.

Glenelg’s usual suspects stood out with midfielder Jessica Bates having another day out with 33 disposals, 12 tackles and eight clearances, while top-agers Violet Patterson (18 disposals, three marks, seven tackles, six clearances and three inside 50s) and Poppy Scholz (16 disposals, seven marks – one contested – and three rebound 50s) were both superb. Recruit Jo Miller (29 disposals, nine tackles, four clearances, four inside 50s and four rebound 50s) had the ball on string in the tight contest, supporting Bates well.

For the Eagles, ruck Leah Cutting continued her outstanding form with 43 hitouts, 18 tackles, three clearances and three inside 50s to go with her 14 disposals and five marks. Midfielders Grace Martin, Poppy Waterford and Madison Turner were most influential around the stoppages.

GLENELG 1.2 | 2.3 | 3.6 | 4.7 (31)
WWT EAGLES 0.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 (18)

GOALS:
Glenelg: J. Horne, S. Dayman, J. Eldridge, E. Mackereth
WWT Eagles: M. Dowrick, O. Evans, R. Zerella

RMC BEST:
Glenelg: J. Bates, J. Miller, V. Patterson, P. Scholz, M. Martino
WWT Eagles: L. Cutting, G. Martin, P. Waterford, M. Turner, I. Trengove

Double Blues roll Roosters in defensive display

Sturt kept in touch with the top four sides and delivered North Adelaide its seventh consecutive loss to open the season with the Double Blues coming away with a three-point victory. In a dour struggle, the Double Blues kicked the only goal of the first half, and led by seven points at the final change. Though the Roosters would kick the only goal of the final term, Sturt held on to win 2.6 (18) to 2.3 (15).

Top-age talent India Rasheed was everywhere in the win, racking up 22 disposals, five marks – one contested – six clearances, five inside 50s and seven rebound 50s. Fellow midfielders Kate Harris, Alisha Gepp and Isobel Kuiper all found plenty of the ball themselves, while Monique Bessen produced defensive pressure to lay seven tackles and kick a goal.

For the Roosters, Amber Ward rook over the ruck role to have 17 hitouts from 17 disposals and seven clearances, while leaders Jessica Edwards and Kristi Harvey worked hard all game. Creating speed across the ground, Julia Clark and Aprille Crooks both had 19 touches apiece.

STURT 1.3 | 1.4 | 2.4 | 2.6 (18)
NORTH ADELAIDE 0.0 | 0.2 | 1.3 | 2.3 (15)

GOALS:
Sturt: M. Bessen, E. Thornquest
North Adelaide: B. Arthur, T. Gordon

RMC BEST:
Sturt: I. Rasheed, K. Harris, A. Gepp, I. Kuiper, G. Swan
North Adelaide: A. Ward, J. Clark., A. Crooks, K. Harvey, J. Edwards