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SAFCW Match Report

South Adelaide vs Norwood
Round 9 - Flinders University Stadium - 20/04/19

Goals: Bennett, Haussen, Buchanan, Munyard, Page
Best: Smith, Cavouras, Campbell, Hammond, Haussen, Charlton
Injuries: Buchanan (knee)

South Adelaide's senior women have secured their place in the 2019 Finals with a win over ladder leaders Norwood on Saturday afternoon.

The Panthers continued their unbeaten run at Flinders University Stadium thanks to an impressive second half, eventually running out 5.6 (36) to 4.5 (29) victors.

The hosts set up the well-earned win with a blistering third term that saw them kick 4.4 to no score and over come a halftime deficit.

The win holds South in second position on the ladder, with a win over West Adelaide in a fortnights securing the double chance heading into the major round.

In sunny, but blustery conditions the two sides played out a tense opening period.

Inspirational skipper Lauren Buchanan opened the scoring within two minutes after taking a strong mark at the southern end.

However, the Redlegs put a quick reply through the big sticks thanks to Adelaide Crows midfielder Sally Riley.

The second term belonged to the visitors as South struggled to clear the ball out of their defensive 50 against a strong breeze.

In a backline under some serious duress at times, Jaslynne Smith stood tall to marshal the troops, combining with Cheyenne Hammond to clear their defensive arc eight times.

The Redlegs though held most of the play in their front half and former Opals basketballer Jo Hill snapped one from the goal mouth and Monique Hollick dribbled one home from long distance to give Norwood a two goal buffer at the major break.

After halftime the Panthers began to work their way back on top with the wind at their backs.

Czenya Cavouras (22 touches and eight tackles) was a key catalyst as she continued her strong season racking up possessions and applying physical pressure around the ground.

Meanwhile, Nicole Campbell (13 possessions) and Elyse Haussen (20 disposals and four clearances) also ensured South's forward were getting their share of attacking entries.

Young gun Teah Charlton also threatened to blow the game open, gathering 18 touches and laying 14 tackles, but was wayward in front of goals managing just five behinds.

The Panthers steadily clawed their way back, as Tamara Page reacted the quickest in the goal square to snap home an opportunistic six-pointer.

Haussen drew scores level after opening the angle on her set shot from the playground pocket, but the highlight of the term came from Hannah Munyard.

With the wind at her back, Munyard unleashed a bomb from 40m to give South a nine-point lead as the teams turned for home.

Madison Bennett pushed that margin to 16 with a soccered effort just after the restart, before Norwood through everything they had at regaining the lead.

Playing with the wind, the Redlegs again controlled the majority of possession in their forward half, but some resolute defending from South managed to keep the visitors at bay.

Hollick missed from direct in front, before snapping her second with the outside of her boot to cut the lead to nine and keep the Panthers on their toes.

Norwood had numerous further chances to attack, but some excellent defensive marks from Hammond and Montana McKinnon proved critical.

South held firm until the final siren to secure their place in the major rounds and inflict Norwood's first defeat of the season.

The SANFL Statewide Super Women's League has a competition wide bye this weekend. South's next game comes against West Adelaide on Saturday, May 4 from 3:45pm.

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