South Adelaide v Central District
Grand Final - Prospect Oval - 11/06/2023

Goals: Northcott 2, Anderson, Hooper
Disposals: Boileau, Couch 16, Ifould, Moon 13, Moon, Barwick 10
Best: Moon (Thanks to Cheffy Chelby's), Couch (Thanks to Jimmy Deane's), Boileau (Thanks to Jimmy Deane's), Northcott, Pratt
Crowd: 3,228

Heartbreak in the final seconds for the Panthers.

The stage was set for the big dance of the 2023 Hostplus SANFLW Season with the Panthers taking on Central District at Prospect Oval.

The opening of the first quarter was full of pressure and contested play. Brooke Boileau and Jordann Hickey had opportunities early to register majors, but both drifted to the side for a minor.

Heading quickly and forcefully into the Panthers defensive fifty, Sam Pratt took a strong and solid mark.

With much of the play remaining in the Panthers forward half, it was Lucy Northcott who put South on the board late in the first quarter.

The Panthers defenders in Esther Schirmer, Jaslynne Smith and Tiffany Copley remained composed in the final minutes of the first quarter where much of the high-pressure play was held.

Heading into the second quarter, the Panthers had an eight-point lead which would prove advantageous given the congested nature of the match.

Boileau and Caitlin Couch were busy around the ball collecting 11 tackles and 16 disposals each, while Elise Barwick was also busy collecting 10 tackles of her own.

Mel Andersonsecured the Panther’s second of the day, showing her skill with a run and carry just inside the forward fifty and a shot on goal from a difficult angle on the run, producing a 14-point lead.

Soriah Moon proved once more why she is the best ruck in the comp collecting 13 disposals and 33 hit outs. While Holly Ifould found the ball with 13 touches and four marks.

Jorja Hooper hit the scoreboard with a goal late in the second quarter from a contest just inside the goal square handing the panthers a 20-point lead.

This lead would be reduced back to 14 points with Centrals kicking their first of the day before the main break.

The third quarter saw some very contested and tackle heavy play, with centrals scoring the only major of the term despite the Panther’s strong defensive efforts.

Heading into the final term, the Panthers held only a four-point lead.

Northcott would register her second of the day early in the last, extending the lead to ten-points.

The Dogs followed suit with their own goal minutes later to bring the margin back down to four-points.

With the momentum swinging their way, the ball remained in Central Districts forward half for most of the last quarter, with intense pressure and clearing kicks being created by Smith, Lauren Clifton and Alissa Brook.

A controversial free kick and 25m penalty awarded to the Dogs in their forward fifty handed Central District the win by three points.

The SAFC Women’s players, coaches and support staff would like to thank all the Members and supporters for their ongoing support in Season 2023. We would also like to thank our Major Women's Football Partners - Daily Grind and REDARC, and all of our other partners for their support of our Women's Football Program. 

Although they didn’t get the job done on the day, the South Adelaide Football Club is incredibly proud of the entire Women’s Football Program for what they have achieved not only this year, but since its inception and look forward to seeing them back out on the ground in 2024.