SOUTH Adelaide was able to provide SANFL Women’s pioneer Jaslynne Smith with a 100th game to remember as the Panthers ran away with the match against Sturt in the second half at Thomas Farms Oval yesterday. Despite a spirited opening 30 minutes from the home side at Unley, the Panthers ran out the match strongly with the six four goals of the match in the 8.14 (62) to 3.3 (21) victory.

Smith, who became the first ever player to reach the triple-digit milestone, was inspirational early and then in a bid to earn the defender a goal – just the second of her career – South cleared out the forwardline in the last five minutes. While that dream celebration did not quite eventuate, Smith was able to enjoy a comfortable win with her Panthers teammates as they solidified third spot on the SANFL Women’s ladder.

The spark was lit early by returning forward Lucy Northcott who booted two goals in the opening term, and was proving quite a handful for the Sturt defenders. She was winning free kicks if she did not mark it, and by the five-minute mark of the second term, had her third goal on the board. Sturt had to overcome an 8-2 opening quarter clearance differential to even that stat by the main break with a 10-4 term themselves, as well as each side having 14 inside 50s.

However South just made more of its chances, with Edwina Thornquest‘s goal early in the second term to put Sturt in front for the first time turning out to be the Double Blues’ last goal of the match. From that moment and across the course of the next 55 minutes, South’s defence stood tall, and more importantly for the winners, the pressure up the field allowed plenty of chances inside 50.

Sturt had some walking wounded as well with a couple of defenders coming off sore including ex-Panther Gypsy Schirmer early in the third term just a couple of minutes after Shae Archbold had soccered through South’s five major to give the visitors a 16-point lead.

It was an even team performance from the Panthers throughout the match, with debutant Shakaila Gardiner-Dunn – who was presented with her guernsey and watched on by former Panther now Crow and fellow NT native, Danielle Ponter also looking dangerous and producing couple of unlikely misses.

However what was clear throughout the second half was that South had firmly regained control and Sturt only had one inside 50 throughout the third term until the last few seconds of the quarter. By comparison, South had booted foru goals from 14 entries – and left a few chances out there. A free kick to South after Thornquest had marked from close range zapped the last of the energy out of the home side who faced a 39-point deficit in the final term.

While keeping South goalless in the final term, Sturt also could not make any inroads into the deficit, and the last quarter became more of a question of whether or not Smith could kick a fairytale goal when Northcott was thrown into defence and Smith sent to full-forward with instructions to clear out the 50.

In the end, South could not quite make it happen, but it did not matter, as the Panthers came away with the 41-point victory, banking another two points, outright second spot and seeing off a potential finalist on the road rather comfortably.

The clearance dominance in three of the four quarters was 25-12m while also winning 27 inside 50s to six after the main break. Sturt was brave in defence, but ultimately lost a couple of soldiers could not get its offensive rhythm going once South was on top.

South Adelaide ruck Soriah Moon (27 disposals, three marks, four tackles, 23 hitouts, eight clearances and three inside 50s) was huge once again, as Emma Charlton and Caitlin Couch impressed through the middle. Shae Archbold benefited by the inclusion of Northcott to play a higher role up the field and even stood Sturt star Isobel Kuiper at the centre bounce at times.

Smith was naturally consistent with 15 disposals, four marks and six rebound 50s, as Esther Schirmer played proactively, and the trio of Lauren Clifton, Melissa Anderson and Hope Taylor all kicked outstanding goals in the win.

Kuiper racked up the stats with 22 touches, 10 tackles, nine clearances and four rebound 50s, but was not as influential as in recent weeks with South putting plenty of time into her. Monique Bessen returned to the Double Blues and was arguably the most influential player for her team, finishing with 21 touches, four marks – two contested, three tackles and six inside 50s. Hannah Prenzler in defence stepped up, while Jasmin Fejo and Summer Ross both tried hard throughout the contest.

The league has a bye next week for the SANFLW’s clash with the WAFLW, before South Adelaide returns for a huge contest against Central District up at Elizabeth on Saturday, May 10, the same day as Sturt’s battle with West Adelaide at Hisense Stadium.

STURT 2.1 | 3.2 | 3.2 | 3.3 (21)
SOUTH ADELAIDE 2.3 | 4.5 | 8.11 | 8.14 (62)

GOALS:
Sturt: M. Fletcher, E. Thornquest. Z. Walsh
South Adelaide: L. Northcott 3, S. Archbold 2, M. Anderson, L. Clifton, H. Taylor

RMC BEST:
Sturt: M. Bessen, H. Prenzler, I. Kuiper, J. Fejo, S. Ross
South Adelaide: S. Moon, E. Charlton, C. Couch. J. Smith, S. Archbold