Daily Grind Women's Match Report: Round 7 vs Sturt

Daily Grind Women's Match Report Round 7: Panthers Pounce on Third Straight Win

South Adelaide stuns the ladder-leading Double Blues with a 19-point win at Flinders University Stadium on Saturday night.

The Panthers managed to hold Sturt scoreless for 54 minutes of play while on their way towards recording the resounding win, 5.2 (32) to 2.1 (13).

Nicole Campbell was influential for the Panthers. She led by example, earning Best on Ground honours after collecting a game-high total of 31 disposals and a game-high total of 17 tackles.

From standout displays to first-time goal scorers; Jaslynne Smith, South Adelaide's game record holder, registered her first SANFLW goal. Similarly, Kiahni Russell scored a goal with the final kick of her debut match.

While the Panthers' Round 7 win saw them jump back into the top 4, the round also marked the final time that the club's Development League girls would play for the year.

The Development girls suffered a 26-point defeat in their final hit-out for 2022, 0.2 (2) to 4.4 (28). Bessie Barrett stood out as the best afield, while Caitlin Radbone and Alissa Brook, a pair of Great Southern talents, were also impressive.

The Pinktails' debutant, Armani Francois, also exhibited some classy Alice Springs skills for the Panthers' Development side.

Following the Development Match, the Panthers' SANFLW side took to the field looking to keep their top 4 contentions alive but since they faced off against the ladder-leaders – it wasn't going to be easy.

In what can be best described as a battle of the backlines; neither side could register a score during the opening 8 minutes of the game despite both coming close on several occasions.

It took some Jess Waterhouse magic to break the deadlock.

Waterhouse's goal, which she managed to kick despite being tackled, was the sole goal of the opening term.

This was a much-needed breakthrough since South Adelaide's back 6 were formidable during the opening quarter.

The Double Blues had 13 inside 50s to the Panthers 4 – yet South entered the first break grasping a promising lead, 1.0 (6) to 0.0 (0).

It was the backs who shone once again during the opening minutes of the second term, with Smith and Tiff Copley combining at half-back to help keep the visitors scoreless.

Their efforts led to a rebound play which resulted in a beautiful set-shot goal by Campbell. However, the Double Blues pushed back relentlessly.

This time their dangerous-looking attack was thwarted by some clever reading by Caitlin Ross, yet Sturt managed to keep the ball trapped in their half of the ground.

After absorbing the immense pressure, the Panthers rebounded once again and, after she snuck down to the forward lines, Smith booted the first goal of her SANFLW career – yet by the quality of the kick most would have assumed that she was a full-time forward.

Increasing their lead to 3 straight kicks, it was then time for the Panthers to defend against an onslaught of Sturt attacks once again.

Sturt, whose attack had been weakened by the loss of Ladas, Swan and Brooks-Birve to the COVID safety protocol, could not break through the Panthers' backline.

Waterhouse continually ran amuck around the footy to keep the pressure on the visitors, as did Esther Schirmer who played arguably her best match in the blue and white.

In the final minute of the half, a crucial smother at halfback by Gypsy Schirmer denied the Blues a late score.

This gave the blue and white a halftime lead of 3.0 (18) to 0.0 (0).

However, the game was turned on its head in the opening minutes of the third term. 

After going scoreless for 40 minutes of play, Sturt brought themselves back into the match with 2 goals in 6 minutes by Abbey Rigter.

With just a kick separating the two sides, a match-defining moment came when Lucy Northcott forced a turnover up forward – which led Campbell to set up Lauren Clifton.

Showing her class and composure, Clifton welcomed her return to the League side with a lead-steadying goal.

Afterwards, some Schirmer composure down back and back-to-back intercept marks by Smith within a minute meant the Panthers held a 4.1 (25) to 2.1 (13) lead at the final break.

Despite holding a 2 goal lead the match was far from over – and the visitors made sure the Panthers knew that.

Tahlita Buethke took a valuable intercept mark between 2 opponents at half-back to prevent an early Sturt goal.

Minutes later, Schirmer was at it again, this time with a run and carry out of the backlines to ease some of the immense pressure.

There were multiple game-saving moments during the final term; with crucial intercept marks within Sturt's forward 50 coming from Sam Pratt, Nari Wright and Nicole Collie.

But with every rebound, Sturt seemingly regained possession and sent it straight back inside 50.

Ella Radbone helped give the back 6 a breather by taking a strong contested mark – then, after 17 tense minutes, the first score came in the form of a Buethke behind – which ultimately sealed the game.

With the pressure eased, the Panthers gained possession from the centre bounce and attacked deep inside 50 where the awaiting Russell finished off her debut match with a crafty goal.

The siren sounded just 30 seconds later to signal the hard-fought win over a side who was undefeated just 3 weeks ago.

Following this 5.2 (32) to 2.1 (13) win; the Panthers now turn their attention towards Central District.

Their battle against the Bulldogs is set to happen at Flinders University Stadium on Saturday, 2 April, from 4:50 pm – with this match following on from the Panther men's Round One clash.

South Adelaide vs Sturt
Round 7 - Flinders University Stadium - 26/03/2022

Goals: Campbell, Clifton, Russell, J.Smith, Waterhouse
Best: Campbell, J.Smith, G.Schirmer, Copley, E.Schirmer
Crowd: 350

South Adelaide Dev vs Sturt Dev
Round 7 - Flinders University Stadium - 26/03/2022

Goals: -
Best: Barrett, C.Radbone, Brook, Rochow 

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