A FRANTIC final few minutes saw South Adelaide run over the top of a gallant Central District outfit in arguably the SANFL Women’s match of the season, winning by just a point after being down by 12 with five minutes on the clock in their Round 4 match.

The Panthers and Dogs traded blows throughout the contest in what was an engrossing battle of two genuine contenders. A rematch of the 2023 SANFLW Grand Final lived up to all expectations with both sides sitting at 2-2 coming into the match.

There were incredible highlights, great defensive efforts, huge individual performances and a fitting comeback to-boot. When Katelyn Rosenzweig clunked a contested mark and slammed home her second goal at the 12 minute mark of the final term, the Dogs lead by two goals and seemingly were home.

However the Pantehrs had other ideas, with South forcing the ball forward and from a contest inside 50, Shae Archbold gathered, stepped around Tesharna Maher and put one through the big sticks bouncing past the sliding defender in the goalsquare.

From the next centre clearance, the ball bobbled out to Lauren Clifton who thumped it high to a two-on-two contest and the clever Lily Baxter was the fastest to recover, winning it off hands and slamming home the equaliser in the 18th minute.

Then came the match-winning behind off Archbold’s boot when Layla Vizgaudis drove it inside 50 and the left-footed tall forward got onto it and though tackled by Holly Tralaggan got boot to ball for it to dribble through for a behind.

Despite Central District’s best efforts, the Dogs could not get the ball outside of their defensive half, and South locked it up and ensured it could come away with the vital two points. It was a relieving win for the Panthers who might have rued their missed opportunities in the second term had their lost.

In that quarter, Central District spent just three per cent inside its forward 50 yet kicked two goals, while South peppered the big sticks – having 43 per cent of time in there – yet scored six behinds for the trouble. The Dogs were far better in the third term going ahead with a two goals to one quarter, and kicking three consecutive majors from the midpoint of the third term though to Rosenzweig’s final goal.

Looking to the standouts, ruck Soriah Moon broke away from a great battle with Miyu Endersby to have a mammoth last term and finish as best on ground. She notched up 29 disposals, two marks, six tackles, 23 hitouts, nine clearances, five inside 50s and four rebound 50s to be match-highs in disposals, hitouts, clearances and inside 50s.

She was well supported by young gun duo Emma Charlton and Vizgaudis who were both outstanding around the middle, as was Caitlin Couch. Baxter played her best game of the season with two goals from 13 disposals, while Archbold continued her great form with the same numbers.

For the Dogs, Madison Lane tried hard from defence and teamed up well with Demi Sonneman and Georgia Madigan who were both rock solid, while Laitiah Huynh and Maher provided great dash across the field. Up forward, Rosenzweig and Lauren Breguet created plenty of highlights with the latter taking a huge grab and also kicking a terrific goal.

There is a league-wide bye next weekend due to Gather Round, with both teams returning on Good Friday, April 18. Central District clashes with North Adelaide at Prospect Oval, while South Adelaide heads to Stratarama Stadium to play Glenelg.

SOUTH ADELAIDE 3.4 | 3.10 | 4.10 | 6.12 (48)
CENTRAL DISTRICT 2.3 | 4.3 | 6.4 | 7.5 (47)

GOALS:
South Adelaide: S. Archbold 2, L. Baxter 2, La. Cockatoo-Motlap, A. Woodward
Central District: K. Rosenzweig 2, T. Doumanis, T. Maher, L. Breguet, A. Healy, S. Raven

RMC BEST:
South Adelaide: S. Moon, E. Charlton, L. Vizgaudis, S. Archbold, L. Baxter
Central District: M. Lane, L. Huynh, T. Maher, K. Rosenzweig, L. Breguet