SAFCW Match Report

South Adelaide vs North Adelaide
Round 6 - Hickinbotham Oval - 10/03/18

Goals: Walker-Murphy 4, Rowe 2, Mckendrick
Best: Gore, Harvey, Walker-Murphy, Mckendrick, Hammond, McKinnon
Injuries: nil
Crowd: 750 approx.

South Adelaide remain top of the SANFL Statewide Super Women's League after holding off an in-form North Adelaide at Hickinbotham Oval on Saturday afternoon.

Two weeks earlier, the Panthers had their unbeaten start to the season ended by the red hot Roosters, but were able to enact revenge to the tune of a 7.6 (48) to 5.2 (32) victory in Round 6.

With only four rounds remaining, the win puts South two-points clear atop the ladder and well placed to secure a top-three finish and even the possibility of automatic Grand Final qualification if Krissie Steen's women can maintain their stranglehold on top spot.

The Panthers shrugged off a sluggish start and used their impressive fitness to run over the Roosters in the latter stages of the game.

Debutant Mykala Walker-Murphy starred, kicking four goals on debut.

The 16-year-old Christies Beach product was potent in front of goals, kicking a major score with each of her four kicks, including a textbook set shot and two wily soccered shots in the goal square.

Mildura native Jorja Rowe continued to find her feet at SANFLW level, kicking two goals in two minutes to help her side close out the first half strongly.

The Panthers have shown their ability to run out games throughout the season and their ability to spread and move the ball cleaner than North Adelaide proved the difference.

South got their hands on much more footy (279 disposals to 160) and into their forward line at a greater rate (34 entries to 11), which proved too much offensive pressure for the visitors to handle.

By the time Mollie Mckendrick guided one home in the closing stages of the fourth the Panthers had all but secured their fifth win of the season.

Tenacious on-baller Nikki Gore was again one of the Panthers catalysts through the middle of the ground, racking up a game-high 26 touches in another eye catching performance.

Up forward, skipper Kristi Harvey (17 possessions) worked hard as South's primary link up forward, while Walker-Murphy's is now equal-leader of the Panthers goalkicking after just one game.

The tall tandem of Mckendrick and youngster Montana McKinnon dominated the stoppages (winning the hit out battle 28-14) despite giving up plenty of height to their Roosters opponents.

Meanwhile, dashing defender Cheyenne Hammond continued to break the lines with her electric pace across halfback.