Daily Grind Women's Match Report: Round 1 @ Centrals

Daily Grind Women's Match Report

Round One sees the South Adelaide Women's first trip to X Convenience Oval end in a triumphant and record-breaking 46-point win over Central District on Saturday.

The Panthers resounding win over the Bulldogs, 10.13 (73) to 4.3 (27), was their best-ever start to a SANFLW season as they dwarfed their previous highest round one total of 46 points which came back in 2019.

This win came on the back of an impressive team effort as new and familiar faces combined to set a new club record. Tahlita Buethke kicked her year off with a game-high total of 24 disposals while, amazingly, Shae Archbold and Jess Waterhouse kicked 3 goals apiece on debut.

However, this record win was not as visible at the beginning of the day because, after making the trip to X Convivence Oval for the first time, the Panthers were greeted by very warm conditions and tough opponents.

And, under the Elizabeth sun, things didn't start according to plan.

The Panthers' Development League team fell just 2 points shy of the Bulldogs after their brave final-quarter fightback was beaten by the siren, 2.2 (14) to 2.6 (18).

In that game, Sheena Peters kept the Panthers in contention with her first goal of the year while Abby Woodward, the Port Noarlunga product, struck late into the match to give South a chance to snatch glory – but ultimately they ran out of time.

Following this, South Adelaide's SANFLW side took to the field for the first time in 2022 – and it was their backline who saw the majority of the footy during the early stages.

Halfway through the first term, and after absorbing the Bulldogs relentless attacks for some time, the Panthers struck with the opening goal of the game thanks to a beautiful kick by the debutant Archbold.

Then, after some clever dodges, Waterhouse made her presence felt on debut with her contender for goal of the game.

Continuing with this late momentum, Brianna Wedding managed to get a boot to the ball despite the pressure around her to score a valuable goal with seconds remaining.

This captain's contribution handed the Panthers a promising 21-point lead at the first break, 3.4 (22) to 0.1 (1).

The second quarter started with similar scenes to the first, as once again the opening minutes saw the Bulldogs put immense pressure on the Panthers backline.

Returning from a knee injury to play her first match in 545 days, Sam Pratt helped ease some of the pressure with an early intercept mark and a goal-saving touch on the line.

Meanwhile gutsy and courageous work by Gypsy Schirmer also helped minimise the damage.

However, with plenty of looks inside 50, the Bulldogs began to break through and, by halftime, the 3.8 (26) to 2.3 (15) score line looked less promising.

Sonneman struck just minutes into the third term to cut the Panthers' lead to 5 points, but Waterhouse was able to find a replier to keep the visitors' lead just out of the Bulldogs' reach.

From kicking goals to helping set them up, some clever groundwork by Waterhouse allowed Archbold to kick her second of the match from deep in the pocket.

This impressive goal by the debutant gave the Panthers a sudden surge of momentum and, from that score onwards, South Adelaide looked to be in control.

After that second quarter, South turned their fortunes around during the third term and headed into the final break with a 5.12 (42) to 3.3 (21) lead.

Debutants continued to impress at both ends of the ground during the final 20 minutes.

Back-to-back intercept marks by Nicole Collie helped absorb much of the early pressure, while a thumping kick by Waterhouse at the other end rolled through for her third goal of the day.

To the Bulldogs credit, they did continue to fight and struck with their fourth goal of the game but once again the Panthers found a quick reply through a Lauren Clifton goal.

Despite the game winding down, the likes of Nicole Campbell and Courtney Barry allowed the Panthers to wreak havoc through the middle of the ground - with the latter of 2 being a much-welcomed return since recovering from her ACL injury.

Similar to the midfield, the defenders remained strong despite holding a strong lead.

During the dying stages of the match, Pratt, along with Jaslynne Smith and Tiffany Copley, put together the counterattack of the match which was finished off with Jess Kirk's first major of the season.

Storming towards the final siren, Archbold truly made it a debut to remember when she put the pressure on up-forward before snapping her third goal of the game.

And, with just a minute to play, Lucy Northcott topped off the Panthers record-breaking win by strolling into an open goal.

Northcott's goal was the Panthers third in as many minutes – a great way to end the 10.13 (73) to 4.3 (27) victory.

The second-placed Panthers now turn their attention towards their first home game of 2022, with South Adelaide set to clash with North Adelaide at Flinders University Stadium on Saturday, February 12, with the Development League starting at 4 pm and the League at 6 pm. 

South Adelaide @ Central District
Round 1 - X Convenience Oval - 5/02/2022

Goals: Archbold, Waterhouse 3, Clifton, Kirk, Northcott, Wedding
Best: Archbold, Waterhouse, Buethke, Smith, Campbell

South Adelaide Dev @ Central District Dev
Round 1 - X Convenience Oval - 5/02/2022

Goals: Peters, Woodward
Best: Ross, Sjoberg, Rasmussen, Huxtable, Page

We're ready for 2022, are you?