LBB + DGS Women's Match Report: Prelim Final South vs West
Little Black Bike + Daily Grind Skate Women's Match Report
South Adelaide vs West Adelaide
Preliminary Final - Thebarton Oval - 16/08/20
| South Adelaide | 1.1 | 4.2 | 4.4 | 6.6 | 42 |
| West Adelaide | 0.4 | 0.5 | 1.5 | 1.6 | 12 |
Goals: Charlton, Kirk 3, Haylock, Munyard
Best: Charlton, Campbell, Munyard, McKinnon, Schirmer, Tahau
Injuries: Nil
South Adelaide become the first team in the SANFLW to make three consecutive Grand Finals following their five-goal Preliminary Final win against West Adelaide at Thebarton Oval on Sunday.
The Panthers book themselves into their third straight Grand Final following an impressive second quarter display in which the Panthers booted three unanswered goals which helped set up the 6.6 (42) to 1.6 (12) win.
West Adelaide headed into the game on momentum following their first-ever finals win, and the Bloods looked dangerous early as they managed repeated inside 50s.
But thankfully, the Panthers defence held firm and minimised the damage as the Bloods only registered three behinds.
The Panthers were able to rebound of the defence, thanks to some of Montana McKinnon's (three marks) signature pack marking and the ball eventually fell into the hands of Hannah Munyard (17 disposals), who almost managed to sneak around the boundary for the Panthers first goal of the day.
However, following an intercept mark and a beautiful set up by Indy Tahau (six tackles), Munyard was given another opportunity only seconds later and this time she certainly made the most of it as she collected it out of the pack and kicked truly to give South an early lead.
West Adelaide would push to get once back but thanks to some fancy footwork by Lauren Buchanan (five rebound 50s), the Panthers headed into the first break with a 1.1 (7) to 0.4 (4) lead.
It did not take the Panthers long to extend their lead during the second term, as Tahlia Meyer (11 disposals) hit up Jess Kirk (three marks), allowing her to go back and kick a thumping goal.
Then just four minutes later, Teah Charlton was able to display her set shot skills with a beautifully struck goal.
With Panther youngster Gypsy Schirmer (11 disposals) providing some great wing-play, and both Czenya Cavouras (14 tackles) and Nicole Campbell (seven tackles) providing a strong presence around the stoppages, South Adelaide were able to trap the ball down their offensive end for most of the second term.
During the dying stages of the first half, Charlton was able to collect the ball out a marking contest and run into an open goal to kick her second of the day and hand South a 4.2 (26) to 0.5 (5) lead at halftime.
Charlton's efforts would see her go onto be named as the Panthers Best on Ground, as she would finish the match with 15 disposals, 13 tackles, and two goals.
But despite holding a four-goal lead at the main break South Adelaide were narrowly losing the inside 50 count (11 to 12) but were winning the inside 50 count (11 to 6).
With the game beginning to slip away from West Adelaide, the Bloods came out firing during the third term but thanks to some impressive Panther actions, such as a diving second-touch intercept mark by McKinnon at the fifth minute mark, and a strong smother by Campbell at the tenth minute mark, the Panthers were able to hold off the Bloods.
West Adelaide's first and last goal of the match came via Chelsea Biddell, whose thumping goal was a reward for the Bloods who refused to stop fighting.
The Panthers did come close to replying late, with a strong overhead mark by Schirmer allowing her to set up Charlton but the kick just hit the post to hand the Panthers a 4.4 (28) to 1.5 (11) lead at the final change.
Six minutes into the final term, Elyse Haussen (ten disposals) joined the goal kickers list following her clever snap out of a stoppage.
The fourth term also saw Munyard add to her highlight reel with a beautiful overhead mark on the wing as well as a run and carry through the midfield.
With the Panthers holding a strong lead, all that was left to do was hold on for the last few minutes but not before Kirk could add to it with another strong goal.
That goal would prove to be the last highlight of the match, and the siren would sound to hand the Panthers their biggest win over West Adelaide this year, 6.6 (42) to 1.6 (12).
South Adelaide will now look for redemption against the undefeated Roosters in what is looking like a great Grand Final clash.
The Grand Final will take place at Thebarton Oval on Sunday at 11:30am.
Show the Girls that your are #SouthProud in 2020! 
