Daily Grind Women's Match Report: EF vs Glenelg

Daily Grind Women's Match Report Elimination Final

South Adelaide vs Glenelg
Elimination Final - Prospect Oval - 15/05/2022

Goals: Archbold, Northcott, Waterhouse
Best: Waterhouse, G.Schirmer, Archbold, Ross

A costly third term brought South Adelaide’s season to a heartbreaking conclusion with a hard-fought 16-point Semi-Final loss to Glenelg at Prospect Oval on Sunday.

The Panthers were battered, bruised and a rotation down; but they took the fight to the reigning premiers and led at halftime – but a second-half surge by the Tigers was too much to overcome, 3.3 (21) to 5.7 (37).

Jess Waterhouse ended her debut season with the Panthers in style.

The regular highlight reel had 26 disposals, 8 clearances, 7 tackles and a goal. Fellow first-year Panthers, Senna Gulden (9 tackles, 7 clearances) and Shae Archbold (12 disposals, 6 tackles), were also among the standouts.

The do or die final started as expected – with both sides refusing to give the other an easy possession.

The Panthers’ tackling pressure was elite during the first quarter. Few showed this pressure more than Nicole Campbell – who caught her opponent holding the footy within the opening minute of the match.

This pressure allowed the Panthers to trap the footy within their forward half. However, as would be the theme for most of the match, the side struggled to convert their chances.

Battling a fierce Tigers’ outfit and the strong breeze – counterattacks and rebounds were a common sight. One such Tigers’ rebound came within inches of ending in the opening goal of the game, but it was thwarted by Jaslynne Smith.

Having laid 17 tackles and registered 9 inside 50 entries during the first term: the sustained pressure eventually broke the Tigers and Lucy Northcott was able to score the opening goal of the game. 

Northcott’s goal, which came within a minute of the quarter-time siren, gave the Panthers an early buffer at the first break, 1.3 (9) to 0.2 (2).

The second term saw the Panthers continue to put immense pressure around the footy. However, while the team continued to rack up the tackles – the side still struggled to reflect their dominance on the scoreboard.

Then came the first cruel twist of the match as Cheyenne Hammond, who at this point had already collected 11 disposals and 3 tackles, went down in a tackle. The injured Panther was then carried off the ground, never to return.

Playing with a rotation down – the Panthers continued to trap the ball within their forward arc. But after having the ball inside their forward half for many minutes for no reward, the Tigers rebounded, went end to end, and kicked their first goal of the game.

The blue and white would get another lookup forward – but they were beaten by the halftime siren which sent the side into the main break grasping the narrowest of leads, 1.3 (9) to 1.2 (8).

South Adelaide entered this match on the back of several team changes. Many of the players who remained in the side carried niggles and general soreness – but it was difficult to notice as the side came out of the halftime break with newfound energy.

Minutes into the third term, a Waterhouse interception at halfback led to an end-to-end play by the Panthers which was finished off by Archbold. This goal gave the Panthers some breathing room – but it sadly didn’t last long.

As the Panthers started to tire, the Tigers gained momentum. For the final 10 minutes of the third term, the Tigers reaped havoc on the Panthers backline who – despite managing to repel some of the attacks – were put under the pump with 3 unanswered goals.

Facing a 2.3 (15) to 4.4 (28) deficit. The Panthers had 20 minutes to keep their season alive but a yellow and black goal 5 minutes into the final term took the sting out of the match.

The blue and white did keep fighting, but with Glenelg slowing the game down and putting numbers behind the ball, it was a lost cause.

Midway through the final term, Waterhouse produced one last highlight for the Panthers thanks to a beautiful set shot goal which brought the final margin to 16 points, 3.3 (21) to 5.7 (37).

The 2022 SANFLW was a tough yet promising season for South Adelaide. Heading into the season: retirements, maternity leave, and work commitments caused a huge changeover in the Panthers’ list.

Then injuries dealt a massive blow to the squad, especially in the height department, with the loss of Soriah Moon, Jorja Hooper, and their beloved-skipper Brianna Wedding – all to knee injuries.

Yet despite the setbacks, the side remained competitive throughout the year. They always seemed to be around the mark in matches – finishing with a 6-6 record and their fifth consecutive finals appearance.

The Panthers will be back bigger and better in 2023.