Daily Grind Women's Match Report: Round 4 vs Sturt

Daily Grind Women's Match Report

South Adelaide vs Sturt
Round 4 - Flinders University Stadium - 20/03/2021

Goals: Kirk, Hooper, Munyard
Best: Munyard, Cavouras, Wedding, Schirmer, Griffen, Campbell

South Adelaide hold-off the fast-finishing Double Blues to win by eleven points in a nail-biting clash at Flinders University Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Panthers first home win of the 2021 season was built on the back of a strong first term and a desperate final quarter, which helped the Panthers get over the line to win, 3.7 (25) to 2.2. (14).

For the fourth week in a row, the match saw the Panthers debut even more talent, their twelve in four matches. This time it was McLaren's Katie Whish and dual athlete, Amy Gore.

South Adelaide was also boosted by the late inclusion of Hannah Munyard, who went on to be named as the Best on Ground after collecting twenty possessions and five tackles.

It was also Munyard who struck first for the Panthers by kicking the first goal of the match after just six minutes of play. 

Continuing on with this early momentum, Jorja Hooper added to her goal tally with her first of the day to hand the Panthers a promising two goal lead. South Adelaide looked to add another one late but were beaten by the siren.

Contrary to the score line, which read 2.0 (12) to 0.0 (0), Sturt had more forward entries yet it wasn't enough to overcome what was the Panthers best opening quarter this season.

Montana McKinnon won the first centre bounce of the second term, sent the ball inside 50 with a thumping kick, and Jess Kirk got on the end of it but her kick was just carried across the front of the goals by the breeze.

From forward efforts to defensive ones, Jaslynne Smith and Brianna Wedding proved to be a valuable duo in the back half, especially since Sturt enjoyed the wind advantage during the second term.

The Double Blues wouldn't break through with their first major of the match until the eleventh minute of the second term. However, they threatened to clear the ball from the corresponding bounce but it was smothered by Gore.

Gore then followed up minutes later with a chase down tackle on the wing within the final minute of the quarter, all but making sure that Sturt wouldn't be able to close gap any further.

In a positive sign for the Panthers defence and transitioning ability, Sturt had fourteen inside 50s to the Panthers seven, yet South had collected thirteen rebound 50s to Sturt's four.

Leading 2.2 (14) to 1.1 (7) at halftime, the third term was the Double Blues chance to use the wind advantage and they came close to getting it inside 50 within the first minute, but Smith took a gutsy intercept mark to stop them in their tracks.

Sturt, who were well supplied through Zoe Prowse and Georgia Swan, continued to push for their second major of the game.

Most of the early minutes of the third term saw the ball spend majority of its time in Sturt's forward half but the pressure was eased thanks to run and carries by Munyard and Gypsy Schirmer. Just two behinds would be scored for the entirety of the third term, with one point going to each side.

Both sides were playing with tired legs, but it was Sturt who would get to finish with the strong breeze and the final term started with perhaps the worst-case scenario, as the Double Blues kicked a goal after just thirty seconds of play.

Carrying heavy legs, kicking against the breeze, and leading by just a sole point with sixteen minutes left to play, things looked dire for the Panthers.

This was until South Adelaide went end to end, and a clever chip over the top of the pack allowed Kirk to collect on the run and charge into an open goal to bump the lead back up to seven points.

With a slight buffer, the Panthers continued to push for another, but desperate Sturt defending, and some unlucky calls kept the lead at bay.

Keeping her habit of having standout second halves, Tahlita Buethke took back-to-back intercept marks within a minute to help keep the ball down South's end. Likewise, Nicole Campbell and Czenya Cavouras both helped supply the Panthers with plenty of pressure.

It would be Vice-Captain Wedding who would help seal the deal, as her intercept mark deep in defence came within the final minute.

Following this 3.7 (25) to 2.2 (14) win, South Adelaide now face North Adelaide at Flinders University Stadium on Friday, March 26, from 6:30pm

Show the Girls that your are #SouthProud in 2021!