FIRST-TIME finalists Woodville-West Torrens showed the steely resolve of an experienced lineup by edging past South Adelaide in a battle of the benchmark teams to reach the 2025 SANFL Women’s Grand Final. In a match befitting of the respective sides’ form, a goal to Klaudia O’Neill in the dying stages helped the home side secure the narrowest of wins, 4.6 (30) to 4.5 (29).

After defeating South Adelaide at Noarlunga in the last round of the season to earn a home final, Woodville-West Torrens raced out of the blocks in the first term to take a 13-point lead over the Panthers at quarter time. It was a real battle early with three behinds to two over the first 15 minutes, before back-to-back majors within a couple of minutes to Amie Blanden and then Rosette Zerella gave the Eagles an early buffer.

South inclusion Lucy Northcott got her side on the board seven minutes into the second term with an ever-reliable set shot, before the Eagles pulled out an answer in the form of Brianna Walling. Eagles veteran Leah Cutting was taking full advantage of Soriah Moon being a late out and instead proving too experienced for part-time ruck Tamika May as the Eagles dominated the hitouts. However, South was matching them around the clearances, nullifying that impact with some crucial sharks.

The Panthers’ tried and true ball retention ability was on full display in keeping the scores tight, and in what was a grinding next 35 minutes on so, managed to kick the only two goals, both coming off the boot of Emma Charlton. Arguably best on ground in defeat, the bottom-ager showed she was made for the big stage, and would finish with 25 touches, 10 tackles, six clearances, seven inside 50s and two goals, all game-highs or equal game-highs.

Charlton’s second major at the 14-minute mark of the third term levelled the scores as the teams turned for home, with behinds traded once more through the first 10 minutes of the fourth stanza. As has so often been the case, South found a way to forge ahead late with last year’s co-leading goalkicker Emily Brockhurst getting on the end of one to hand her side the all-important lead with just over eight minutes on the clock.

However this was the year when history would be rewritten and the Eagles would show they are willing to throw down the gauntlet to most successful team in SANFLW history, with everything leading to O’Neill’s match-winner in the 18th minute. After slotting home the major, she was flocked by teammates and the Eagles held on for an incredible win in what was unsurprisingly a team effort.

Defenders Zahlia Niemann (20 disposals, six marks – four contested – four tackles and seven rebounds) and Annie Falkenberg (15 disposals, four tackles and three rebound 50s) were outstanding, while Cutting finished with 41 hitouts, four clearances and three inside 50s to go with her 14 touches. Young midfielders Lucy Moore and Imogen Trengove combined for 28 disposals and 10 clearances in the win.

For South Adelaide, aside from Charlton, fellow State Academy members Lily Baxter (15 disposals, five marks and three inside 50s) and Layla Vizgaudis (14 disposals, five marks, three clearances and two inside 50s) were superb, the former having one of her bast games of the season. Running talents Lauren Clifton and Mel Anderson were both strong, while Jaslynne Smith was a rock in defence.

Woodville-West Torrens now earns a rest and heads directly to the SANFLW Grand Final in a fortnight at Stratarama Stadium where it will wait and see if a fourth meeting with South Adelaide is on the cards, of if the Double Blues can find a way to turn the tables on the Panthers.

WWT EAGLES 2.3 | 3.3 | 3.4 | 4.6 (30)
SOUTH ADELAIDE 0.2 | 2.4 3.4 | 4.5 (29)

GOALS:
WWT Eagles: A. Blanden, K. O’Neill, B. Walling, R. Zerella
South Adelaide: E. Charlton 2, E. Brockhurst, L. Northcott

RMC BEST:
WWT Eagles: Z. Niemann, L. Moore, A. Falkenberg, L. Cutting, I. Trengove
South Adelaide: E. Charlton, L. Clifton, L. Baxter, L. Vizgaudis, J. Smith