A DRAMATIC final quarter behind from Woodville-West Torrens’ Klaudia O’Neill has seen the Eagles snatch a remarkable 7.8 (50) to 7.8 (50) draw against Sturt at Thomas Farms Oval in Round 11 of the SANFL Women’s.

Trailing by 10 points at the final break, the Eagles dug deep in the fourth term, with O’Neill’s clutch set shot from the boundary line levelling the scores with the final kick of a pulsating contest. Incredibly, it was a near-exact repeat of the Round 1 clash between these two sides, which also ended in a draw following a late O’Neill set shot from the right forward pocket.

The match began at a frantic pace, with Julia Faulkner booting the first goal clean off the deck for the Eagles in the opening minute. Woodville-West Torrens did all the attacking early, extending their lead when Leah Cutting snapped a huge goal from 40m following a great handball from Maia Freemantle. Sturt quickly found their rhythm, however, with Georgia Swan producing a brilliant quick snap out of congestion to register the Double Blues’ first. Georgia King then slotted another off her preferred left boot, before a late turnover in the Eagles’ defensive 50 allowed Erin Conn to capitalise, giving Sturt a slender one-point advantage at the first change.

The second quarter proved to be a real arm-wrestle. Lucy Moore produced an incredible goal from the tightest of angles to edge the Eagles ahead, before Tahlita Buethke slotted one from close range just before the half-time siren, handing Woodville-West Torrens a 12-point buffer at the main break.

Sturt flipped the script in the third term, piling on four unanswered goals to completely change the complexion of the match. O’Neill kicked her first for the Eagles early in the quarter, but from there it was all Double Blues. A hard-running goal from Summer Ross caught the Eagles’ defence out on the overlap, before Alex Ballard strolled in to convert after an interception. A hard-running Madeline Nuss put the jets on taking two bounces and finishing with class, and then Conn then slotted her second from a set shot, turning a 16-point deficit into a 10-point lead for Sturt at three-quarter time.

The final term delivered incredible tension. Anika Tran sparked the Eagles, bursting forward and finding O’Neill for a checkside goal in the goalsquare. Tran then took matters into her own hands, slotting a ripping goal on the run to cut the margin to a solitary point. After a frantic passage of play where Ruby Matthews narrowly missed a soccered attempt on the goal line. With the last kick of the game, O’Neill stepped up for a crucial set shot from the boundary. The ball agonisingly hit the post for a behind, but it was enough to tie the game at 50 apiece and seal a memorable draw.

For Sturt, Isobel Kuiper worked hard after a slow start to finish with 20 disposals, six clearances and 12 tackles. Hannah Prenzler (14 disposals, four marks and five rebound 50s) and Swan (12 disposals, three marks, five tackles and one goal) were also influential, while Lily Whiteman provided strong aerial presence with five marks and Conn booted two goals.

Freemantle was enormous for the Eagles, matching Kuiper’s 12 tackles for the game, while also collecting 16 disposals and nine clearances. Faulkner (15 disposals, six clearances and a goal) was vital particularly in the opening term, while Buethke (14 disposals, four tackles, four clearances, five inside 50s and a goal) were important contributors, while O’Neill finished with 2.1 from her nine disposals.

STURT 3.0 | 3.0 | 7.6 | 7.8 (50)
WOODVILLE-WEST TORRENS 2.5 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 7.8 (50)

GOALS:
Sturt: E. Conn 2, G. Swan, S. Ross, A. Ballard, G. King, M. Nuss
Woodville-West Torrens: K. O’Neill 2, J. Faulkner, T. Buethke, L. Moore, L. Cutting, A. Tran

RMC BEST:
Sturt: I. Kuiper, H. Prenzler, G. Swan, L. Whiteman, E. Conn
Woodville-West Torrens: M. Freemantle, J. Faulkner, T. Buethke, K. O’Neill, R. Lynch

AROUND THE GROUNDS

South Adelaide delivered a comprehensive 74-point thrashing of Glenelg at Magain Stadium, storming to a 13.10 (88) to 2.2 (14) victory. The Panthers were relentless from the outset, powered by a dominant midfield display from Emma Charlton, who racked up a massive 32 disposals, nine clearances, seven inside 50s and a goal. Melissa Anderson was equally impressive with 25 disposals, 11 marks and eight inside 50s, while Hope Taylor proved a focal point in attack with three goals. For the Tigers, Georgie Fielder battled hard to collect 25 disposals, six clearances, four inside 50s and six rebound 50s as Cassie McWilliam kicked both of her side’s goals, but Glenelg simply had no answers for South Adelaide’s firepower.

North Adelaide proved too strong for West Adelaide at Richmond Oval, securing a 16-point win in tough battle, 6.2 (38) to 3.4 (22). The Roosters’ victory was built on the back of a commanding performance from Amber Ward, who not only booted three crucial goals but also gathered 15 disposals and took seven marks (four contested). Julia Clark (18 disposals, nine clearances) and Ella Metcalfe (17 disposals, five marks) were key drivers through the middle. Despite the loss, West Adelaide’s Zoe Venning was the most prolific player on the ground, amassing 30 disposals, seven marks, six clearances, five inside 50s and four rebound 50s while Emily Mableson applied immense pressure with 11 tackles from her 24 disposals and also racked up seven clearances.

Norwood comfortably accounted for Central District at Coopers Stadium, cruising to a 30-point win, 7.11 (53) to 3.5 (23). The Redlegs controlled the contest through the sheer weight of possession generated by Jade Halfpenny, who delivered a masterclass with 32 disposals, nine marks, eight clearances, five inside 50s and a goal. She was well supported by Lana Schwerdt (22 disposals) and Emily Bartsch (21 disposals), while Lani Cocks hit the scoreboard with two goals. Central District’s Shannon Murphy fought valiantly in a losing cause, collecting a team-high 24 disposals, six marks and a whopping 11 rebound 50s, as Miyu Endersby (16 disposals, 38 hitouts) dominated the ruck battle to no avail.