A clinical three-goal final quarter from South Adelaide was enough to overcome a scoreless first quarter and secure a 16-point win against Glenelg at Stratarama Stadium.

Winless Glenelg wanted to make a strong start in its contest against the reigning premiers and wasted no time driving the ball forward, scoring the first score of the game within a minute—a behind.

The home side was able to make up for its earlier blemish, converting a close-range set shot to give them a seven-point lead early in the match.

Despite the slow start, South Adelaide’s on-ball brigade continued to battle hard in the middle, with Soriah Moon displaying her ruck dominance. 

Consistently under pressure for large portions of the opening term, South’s backline stood tall on several occasions.

Cassie Coombe showcased desperate defensive acts, spoiling a few high balls, while Jaslynne Smith patrolled the half-back line, kickstarting several forward forays through her precise kicking.

The home side’s lead could have grown further if it weren’t for two minor scores later in the term, but they would have been ecstatic to keep South Adelaide scoreless.

At the first break, Glenelg’s lead was nine points, and South Adelaide needed to respond strongly in the second quarter.

South commenced the second term with purpose, with Shae Archbold and Emma Charlton linking up to find Lauren Clifton, whose 40-metre effort opened the account for the visitors.

Fresh from tying the knot and sporting a new surname, Jordann Rugless (nee. Hickey) showcased her class by gathering a ground ball and using the outside of her foot to give South the lead.

Doreena Hansen was heavily involved in South’s link-up play in the early stages of the term, and she nearly kicked an opportunistic goal, but her snap across the body was wide.

South continued to make it hard for Glenelg to move the ball, with Caitlin Ross, Layla Vizgaudis, and Charlton constantly laying strong tackles around the contest. 

The tackling pressure resulted in yet another goal to the visitors. The beneficiary was Archbold, who quickly played on from 50 metres out to drill a brilliant goal on the run.

After Rugless pushed her opponent off the ball and ran into an open goal for her second of the day, South Adelaide’s lead had quickly stretched to 15 points.

The half-time siren came at the right time for Glenelg, as they needed to find some answers to South’s four-goal second term at the main break.

Needing the first goal of the half, Glenelg was able to intercept and punish a kick leaving defensive 50 from Charlton, reducing the lead to just 10 points.

With plenty to play for, the contest became an arm wrestle. Tegan Maxwell continued her strong partnership with Moon in the ruck, while also offering a marking target around the ground.

Youngsters Esther Schirmer and debutant Hope Taylor showed composure beyond their years to get the ball moving forward for the away side.

A second goal for the quarter to Glenelg reduced the margin to just three points, providing them with a strong sense of belief.

Much like the first quarter, South Adelaide was unable to trouble the scoreboard in the third term, but they still held a narrow two-point lead at the final break.

Finishing with the scoring end, South Adelaide needed to make use of its advantage early. However, Glenelg was determined to secure its first win of the season.

The home side had some of the best forward entries to start the final term, but Schirmer refused to be beaten one-on-one, completing a strong defensive contested mark at the top of the goal square.

Moments later, after several pinpoint passes, Melissa Anderson capitalised on an inside-50, tapping the ball to herself and soccering it off the ground to score the first of the quarter.

Glenelg continued to battle hard, kicking the next goal to restore South Adelaide’s two-point margin.

Caitlin Couch’s tenacity and willingness to get to stoppages was important and often served as the catalyst for South’s forward forays. Moon also used her strength to win several clearances.

Despite it being her first game at the level, Taylor showcased her cleanliness below the knees and poise by foot, finding a leading forward.

Requiring individual brilliance to separate the two sides, Anderson once again popped up. Her front-and-centre effort, followed by a flying shot from 50 metres out, stretched the lead back to two goals.

Anderson nearly kicked her third goal of the game after receiving a clever handball from Hansen, but her finish on the run sprayed wide for a behind.

With the clock quickly becoming the enemy for the home side, South capitalised on Glenelg’s poor, rushed disposals. 

Maxwell’s strong mark and brilliant pass inside 50 to Rugless with one minute to go killed any chance of a Glenelg comeback. The captain sealed her return with her third goal of the game.

As the siren sounded, South Adelaide secured a hard-earned win in tough, windy conditions, ensuring they finished the round in second position on the ladder.

Eager to continue their momentum, South Adelaide will take on Sturt at Thomas Farms Oval on Sunday, 27 April, at 9:20 am.

The away side got off to a dominant start, with Zoe Flesfadar registering two centre clearances to put the Glenelg defence under immense pressure. 

Kayla Costello’s gather and snap within the first minute of play nearly delivered the first goal of the contest, but her effort was just off target.

South Adelaide’s forward line continued to lay tackles and throw their bodies at contests to bring the ball to ground, with Charlotte Watson halving several marking contests.

Despite the positive start, the away side struggled to put any meaningful pressure on the scoreboard, offering Glenelg opportunities to hurt them the other way.

Fortunately, the home side was unable to convert any of its forward chances, registering four minor scores throughout the quarter. 

Skipper Chloe Meyers and Jaimee Millard continued to marshal the defence against forward entries, while midfielders Tabitha Prosser, Indigo Miller, and Melaine Koster remained busy around the ball.

At the first break, Glenelg held a slender three-point lead. Despite a goalless first term from both sides, there were several instances of great ball movement between the arcs.

Glenelg wasted no time getting the ball inside 50 at the start of the second term and looked likely to convert the first goal of the game until a great diving effort from Koster forced a rushed behind.

There were several instances where South’s players displayed selfless defensive efforts to deny scoring opportunities, such as ruck Jacinda Schunselaar winning a key contest in the backline.

After some great ball movement, South Adelaide produced its best scoring opportunity of the game when Lily Dunstall-Bruce’s bullet pass found Koster on the lead, 25 metres out. 

Needing some reward for effort, Koster went back and slotted her set shot to give South a two-point lead. Glenelg responded with the next two goals to take a 10-point lead going into the main break.

With plenty to play for, South Adelaide came out with plenty of intensity. Schunselaar continued to showcase her agility at ground level, winning a ground ball and finding Tiana Lush on the lead. 

Lush’s set shot effort fell short, but a free kick to Prosser on the boundary offered an opportunity for a second chance at goal. Prosser’s terrific effort saw her get swarmed by several excited teammates.

Glenelg continued to find responses, kicking the next goal to restore its two-goal buffer.

With only a few minutes to go in the term, Miller received back-to-back 25-metre penalties to take her from centre-half back to 30 metres out, straight in front. 

Miller’s composed finish reduced Glenelg’s margin to just one goal going into the final term, giving the away side some strong momentum.

The first goal of the final term was always going to be crucial. Madison Fitzgibbons’ pressured shot on the run in the opening minutes dribbled just the other side of the post for a behind.

Similar to previous quarters, Glenelg responded to being challenged. The home side proceeded to register several inside 50s, but strong team defence stifled any quality delivery.

However, Glenelg would eventually break through the miserly defence of South Adelaide, kicking the first goal of the term and opening up a match-winning lead.

Despite determined efforts to reduce the margin back to one goal, South Adelaide was unable to fluidly move the ball inside forward 50.

The Panthers will once again return to Stratarama Stadium on Sunday afternoon at 2:30 pm to once again face the Tigers in the 2025 Development League Grand Final.