Daily Grind Women's Match Report: Round 10 vs Sturt

Daily Grind Women's Match Report

South Adelaide vs Sturt
Round 10 - Prospect Oval - 8/05/2021

Goals: Hickey 3, Hooper, Campbell 2, Flanagan-Sjoberg, Kirk
Best: Campbell, McKinnon, Whiteley, Hickey, Smith, Kirk

A strong four-quarter display results in South Adelaide's biggest win of the season as they defeat Sturt by 47 points at Prospect Oval on Saturday.

It was a game of firsts for the Panthers, with the side playing at Prospect Oval for the first time and celebrating Jaslynne Smith's half century making her the first Panther to reach the milestone.

And they celebrated this milestone in style, with the Panthers averaging at least two goals a quarter while on their way to an impressive, 9.6 (60) to 2.1 (13) win.

With finals on the line, the Panthers pushed for the opening goal but within the first two opening minutes but could only muster two behinds.

Yet this forward pressure eventually paid off, with the side forcing a turnover which allowed Sophia Flanagan-Sjoberg to go back and, mirroring her efforts from last week, drill a difficult shot from the boundary.

From the next centre bounce, the Double Blues were able to clear and record their first inside 50 of the match; but nothing came of this as Tiffany Copley took a strong overhead mark to intercept.

From her interception, the Panthers were able to rebound and eventually, they managed to hit up the Jordann Hickey, who continued to embrace her new colours with her first major of the day.

The Double Blues pushed for their first of the day midway through the term, but Gypsy Schirmer's pace was able to ease some of the pressure as she burst through the centre of the ground with a run and carry.

Eventually the heroics of the backline came to an end, as Alex Ballard was able to kick the Double Blues first of the match after eleven minutes of play.

With just thirty seconds left till halftime, the Double Blues rebounded out of defence and managed to go end to end, but Renee Moon was able to corral her opponent till the siren sounded to hand the Panthers a promising 2.3 (15) to 1.0 (6) lead at the first break.

Within the first minute of the second term, Teah Charlton was able to clear the ball and hit up Jorja Hooper, who went back and drilled her first of the day.

From here, the Panthers really begun to take control of the match.

Hickey kicked truly with her second goal of the game. Then, after an intercept mark at half forward by Lisa Whiteley, Hooper was able to follow suit with her second goal of the quarter.

The Hooper-Hickey duo helped the Panthers to a 5.6 (36) to 1.0 (6) lead at halftime, and while there was still a half left to play there were plenty of positives for the Panthers.

For one, they were winning the inside 50s count 14 to 6, which also meant the side had scored 78 per cent of the time they went forward. Likewise, the last time the Panthers met the Double Blues, the side only scored 25 for the match meaning their halftime was already better.

Coming out after the main break, it was Nicole Campbell who got things going for the Panthers as she kicked truly while on the run.

Continuing her streak of strong second-half performances, Tahlita Buethke continued to provide ball-movement around the stoppages and Sturt must've been aware of this as a late hit on Buethke allowed South with a down the ground free, which Hickey made them pay for with a great goal.

As the great weather begun to subside and clouds took its place the Panthers, who held a seven-goal lead at the final chance, came home during the final term with wind at their backs.

And it was Campbell who made the most of this, as she kicked a thumping goal to help the side reply to Sturt's goal which was the Double Blues first goal in 49 minutes of play.

After going 49 minutes without having a goal kicked against them, the Panthers backline didn't let this goal ruin their strong efforts, with Smith showing what 50 games of experience looks like with several interceptions.

At the offensive end, Jess Kirk was able to read the ball beautifully and take a diving mark, which she finished perfectly with a strong goal that stretched the final margin to 9.6 (60) to 2.1 (13).

The match was arguably the Panthers best of the season, as the side had even contributors across the board. Yet special mentions must go to Cheyenne Hammond, who finished with 16 touches and 4 tackles, and Montana McKinnon who wracked up 31 hit-outs.

South Adelaide will look to keep this winning form when they face off against West Adelaide for the final minor season game. Which will take place at Flinders University Stadium on Saturday, 15 May, from 12:00pm. 

Show the Girls that your are #SouthProud in 2021!