South Adelaide overcame a six-point deficit at three-quarter time to record a thrilling one-point win against Central Districts at Magain Stadium.

The away side started the match the stronger of the two teams, kicking the opening goal following some strong tackling pressure. 

After conceding the first four scoring shots of the game, Lauren Clifton delivered a well-weighted pass into the path of Laquoiya Cockatoo-Motlap, who strolled into an open goal to kick South’s first.

Despite a slow start, South Adelaide’s on-ball brigade became more involved, with Soriah Moon providing Caitlin Couch and Layla Vizgaudis with first use in the ruck. 

Lily Baxter's positioning inside forward 50 proved to be a problem for her direct opponent, who was penalised for illegal contact. Baxter converted her set shot, giving South its first lead of the game.

South Adelaide’s disposal by foot continued to be a highlight, with Emma Charlton showcasing her class with ball in hand to find Abby Woodward inside 50. 

Following Woodward’s composed and accurate set shot finish, South Adelaide had turned a nine-point deficit into a 10-point advantage within seven minutes.

Central Districts finished with the final goal of an entertaining quarter, despite missed scoring opportunities from Melissa Anderson and Cockatoo-Motlap. 

The away side carried its momentum into the second quarter, kicking the first goal of the term to reduce the margin to just one point.

South Adelaide’s defence continued to battle strongly against Central’s ball movement, with debutant Cassie Coombe and leader Tiffany King trying hard. 

Needing some individual brilliance, Couch nearly produced something from nothing after receiving a slick handball from Charlton and hitting the woodwork with a quick snap out of the contest.

Following the behind, Central Districts went coast-to-coast and looked likely to kick a great team goal, but Litonya Cockatoo-Motlap’s brilliant run-down tackle put a stop to that forward foray. 

The away side regained the lead after a free kick at the top of the goal square, but two missed opportunities from South late in the quarter levelled the scores at the main break.

With it all to play for in the second half, Shae Archbold delivered the first blow of the third term with her long-range set shot from 40 metres out, sneaking through. 

Esther Schirmer continued her strong start to the season, providing plenty of rebound and also delivering the ball inside forward 50. 

Vizgaudis never took a backward step in the contest, laying several tackles and driving the ball forward from stoppages.

Central Districts regained the lead after back-to-back goals to finish the term, giving the home side plenty to do heading into the final quarter.

As the final term commenced, South Adelaide needed to erase a six-point deficit. 

The mountain grew steeper to climb after Central extended its lead to 12 points halfway through the quarter, but South weren’t finished yet.

After her earlier chance in the term, Archbold collected a ground ball from Charlton’s pass and snapped truly to give the home side some life. 

Schirmer’s run and carry proved crucial minutes later, setting up Clifton’s inside-50 entry that resulted in an opportunistic finish from Baxter out the back of the contest to level the scores.

With only seconds remaining, Archbold desperately got boot to ball before being tackled to register a vital point that proved to be the difference between the two sides, sealing South’s brilliant comeback win.

After this weekend’s Gather Round bye, South Adelaide will look to take on winless Glenelg at Stratarama Stadium on Friday, 18 April, at 11:20am.

South Adelaide remains on top of the Hostplus SANFLW Development League ladder after a clinical 28-point win against Central Districts at Magain Stadium.

Both sides struggled to impact the scoreboard in the early stages of the opening term due to some strong defensive efforts. 

Jaimee Millard were resolute deep in defence, while Jodie Hunt continued her strong form across half-back, balancing accountability with moving the ball forward.

The ball remained primarily between the arcs during the first 10 minutes of play. However, Jacinda Schunselaar continued to work hard to provide first use to her midfield through effective hit-outs.

Indi Miller’s strong contest on half-back kickstarted South’s most promising forward foray, but it was Tabitha Prosser’s strong inside-50 tackle that resulted in a classy goal to Doreena Hansen.

Back-to-back behinds provided Centrals with an opportunity to regain the lead late in the quarter, but it was South Adelaide that took a four-point advantage into the first break.

South Adelaide nearly got off to a perfect start in the second quarter, with Melanie Koster’s clever tap to Lily Dunstall-Bruce eventually providing Hansen with a chance to score her second goal. 

Despite the minor score to Hansen, South continued to pile on the pressure. Seraphina Moon and Sarah Wright remained prominent in the contest and their side’s ball movement.

The scoreboard started to reflect the home side’s dominance after Demi-Lee Braun laid a brilliant forward-50 tackle, which resulted in Prosser’s clinical finish from a tight angle.

South Adelaide’s lead stretched to 19 points after Kayla Costello marked strongly and converted her set shot from the top of the goal square. 

The margin would increase to a match-high 26 points minutes later when Charlotte Dolan unloaded from 45 metres out to beat the desperate hands of a Centrals defender on the goal line.

Dolan’s major would be the final score of the first half, capping off a dominant three-goal quarter to get the game firmly on South Adelaide’s terms.

The third term proved to be a tight tussle, with both sides having the opportunity to register a goal in the opening stages but only managing behinds. 

Centrals would strike first, kicking its first goal of the game and reducing the margin to 19 points, but the home side was eager to respond.

Braun nearly produced a great individual goal, using her pace to burst away from her opponent and unleash a flying shot that was eventually rushed over the line for a behind. 

South Adelaide’s intercept marking was a feature of the quarter, with Miller standing tall on multiple occasions to suffocate the ball movement of the away side.

Centrals was forced to defend again moments later after Prosser’s hack kick forward forced the away side to give away a free kick to Costello, who converted her second goal from 35 metres out. 

As the siren sounded at the end of the third term, South Adelaide’s lead had increased to 27 points.

Halle James and Tiana Lush continued to provide a vital link between the midfield and forward line, using their class and composure to find teammates. 

However, the final quarter proved to be a struggle, with both sides finding it difficult to produce that final pass to create a quality scoring opportunity.

The home side would score the only behind of the quarter, eventually running out 28-point winners and securing top spot on the ladder.

After a strong team performance, South Adelaide will take on second-placed Glenelg at Stratarama Stadium on Friday, 18 April, at 9:30am.