A DEVASTATING nine-goal blitz across the first three and a bit quarters saw South Adelaide cruise to a commanding 61-point victory over West Adelaide, 10.8 (68) to 1.1 (7) at Magain Stadium on Saturday morning.

The Panthers were the dominant team from the opening bounce, controlling both territory and the inside 50 count emphatically. It was South Adelaide’s relentless pressure and clearance dominance that got them off to a flying start, locking the ball in their forward half. By half-time, the Panthers had opened up a commanding 50-point lead, keeping the Bloods scoreless as they piled on eight goals of their own.

South Adelaide’s dominance continued into the third term, with the Panthers’ resolve proving too much for West Adelaide. The home side kicked another two goals while restricting the Bloods to just a single behind. South Adelaide was dominant in every respect, doubling West Adelaide’s clearance numbers (42 to 21) and inside 50 entries (38 to 17), which ultimately broke the Bloods’ defensive structure.

The final quarter saw West Adelaide finally break their goal drought, with Summer Malone kicking her first goal for the club to get the visitors on the board. However, South Adelaide found one final answer, with Hope Taylor slotting her side’s 10th major of the day to cap off an emphatic performance.

Layla Vizgaudis was a standout for the Panthers, continuing her stellar season with a game-high 32 disposals, seven clearances, and six inside 50s, while also hitting the scoreboard. Meanwhile up forward it was the likes of Doreena Hansen (three goals) and Taylor (three goals) who provided the spark inside 50. Olivia Evans caught the eye with her work around the contest (22 disposals, 10 tackles, five clearances), while Emma Charlton racked up 10 tackles and 10 clearances in an impressive outing.

For the Bloods, Zoe Venning tried hard all day, winning the ball with ease and really taking control through the midfield to finish with 29 disposals, eight clearances, and six tackles. Around her, the likes of Emily Mableson (19 disposals, nine tackles) and Jemima Woods (15 disposals, four tackles) contributed strongly, while Olivia Smith laid 11 tackles in a tireless defensive effort.

SOUTH ADELAIDE 2.1 | 6.6 | 8.7 | 10.8 (68)
WEST ADELAIDE 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 1.1 (7)

GOALS:
South Adelaide: D. Hansen 3, H. Taylor 3, M. Anderson 2, L. Vizgaudis, O. Evans
West Adelaide: S. Malone

RMC BEST:
South Adelaide: L. Vizgaudis, O. Evans, E. Charlton, D. Hansen, H. Taylor
West Adelaide: Z. Venning, E. Mableson, O. Smith, J. Woods, M. Russell

AROUND THE GROUNDS

The other thrilling match of the round saw Sturt secure its second win of the season, defeating Central District by 11 points at Thomas Farms Oval, 3.6 (24) to 1.7 (13). Just one goal was kicked after half-time in a real armwrestle as inaccuracy hurt the visitors. Madeline Nuss yet again kicked a couple of majors – her fourth two-goal game in five matches – while Isobel Kuiper (18 disposals, 10 tackles, six clearances) stood out again for the Double Blues. Central’s Miyu Endersby was outstanding through the ruck with 43 hitouts from 16 disposals, while young gun Izabella Nisbet caught the eye particularly in the first half.

North Adelaide defeated Norwood by nine points in another tight low-scoring battle at The Parade, 3.9 (27) to 2.6 (18). Neither team kicked a goal in the first half as the Roosters lead seven behinds to two behinds, before getting the upper hand with three of hte five second half goals in the 3.9 (27) to 2.6 (18) victory. Lauren Gauci (22 disposals, four clearances) and Caitlin Hardin (18 disposals, four tackles, three clearances and four inside 50s) stood out, while the explosive Aprille Crooks kicked a goal and caught the eye each time she went near it. Jade Halfpenny and Lani Cocks were again among the better Norwood players, while Sarah Branford stood up in defence.

Woodville-West Torrens continued its unbeaten start to the season, defeating Glenelg by 19 points at Stratarama Stadium to close out the round, 8.5 (53) to 5.4 (34). Alice Tentye put in her best performance of her SANFLW career – which is saying something – racking up 31 disposals, 14 tackles, nine clearances and seven inside 50s – in a huge effort coming off a best on ground for the SANFLW in the State Game. Tahlita Buethke and Ruby Lynch were also impressive, as competition leading goalkicker Klaudia O’Neill added another three majors to her name. The story for Glenelg was the return to form of over-age talent Eloise Mackereth who slammed home four goals from 10 touches and four marks, her best ever return in a SANFLW match. Bottom-ager Tori Evans and fellow over-ager Isla Wiencke were also strong in defeat.