Daily Grind Women's Match Report: Round 9 vs North Adelaide

Daily Grind Women's Match Report Round 9

South Adelaide @ North Adelaide
Round 9 - Prospect Oval - 9/04/2022

Goals: Northcott 2, Kirk, Waterhouse
Best: G.Schirmer, Northcott, Archbold, Pratt, Campbell

A costly third term sees South Adelaide suffer a 29-point loss against North Adelaide at Prospect Oval on Saturday.

The Panthers headed into halftime only a goal down but were dealt a major blow in the third term as they conceded 6 goals that ultimately set up their bitter loss, 4.4 (28) to 9.3 (57).

Nicole Campbell (19 disposals, 7 tackles) continued her string of solid performances while Jaslynne Smith (18 disposals, 5 tackles) did her best against a barrage of Rooster attacks.

This match between these sides was a potential finals preview; with the fourth-placed Panthers clashing with the now ladder-leading Roosters.

Despite the difference in ladder positions, it was the Panthers who started the strongest.

Jess Kirk welcomed her return from injury by booting the opening goal of the match, which doubled as the only major of the first term.

After holding a 7-point lead at quarter time, the Panthers' early work was quickly undone. The Roosters registered back-to-back goals within the first 5 minutes of the second term.

Jess Waterhouse was there to answer the call with a lead-taking goal, but a Roosters goal within the closing minutes handed the Panthers a 2.1 (13) to 3.1 (19) deficit at the main break.

A goal to the red and white just 17 seconds into the third term set the tone for what would prove to be the match-defining quarter.

By the time Lucy Northcott kicked her first of the day at the end of that quarter, the Panthers had conceded 6 unanswered goals.

The three-quarter time siren may have well been the final siren as the Panthers faced a 3.2 (20) to 9.1 (55) deficit at the final change.

Without their usual ruck Jemma Ellis, who was playing in South Australia’s thumping win over Western Australia, the Panthers seemed majorly outmatched.

The league-leading goalkicker, Shae Archbold, was also out due to state commitments.

The Roosters, who also had key youngsters out due to the state game, were too strong on the offensive end. They finished with 13 more inside 50s than the blue and white.

Needing to kick 6 goals in the final 20 minutes of play, Northcott’s second of the match was the only major score from either side during the final term.

The siren sounded to signal the 4.4 (28) to 9.3 (57) loss.

Unfortunately, the result wasn’t the best way to celebrate Nicole Collie’s fiftieth SANFLW match, with this Panther recruit becoming just the seventh SANFLW to reach that milestone.

Despite the loss, the Panthers still sit in a finals position with 3 matches remaining. They sit equal with fifth-placed Norwood but with a much superior percentage.

South Adelaide will have this weekend off before turning their attention towards Sturt with their clash with the Double Blues at Wigan Oval set for Saturday, 23 April, from 3:50 pm.

We're ready for 2022, are you?