Women's Match Report: Round 2 South vs Sturt

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South Adelaide vs Sturt
Round 2 - Flinders University Stadium - 21/02/20

Goals: Kirk 3, Haylock, Meyer
Best: Meyer, Barry, Kirk, Haylock, Buethke
Injuries: Gordon (Ankle)

A dominate second half display by South Adelaide saw them defeat Sturt by 34 points at Flinders University Stadium on a windy Friday night.

"It was another really promising game with us mostly controlling possession and the crucial stats," Senior Women's Head Coach Rick Watts said.

"Averaging eight inside 50s per quarter in both games, which will win us more games than we lose. We just lacked a bit of polish entering 50 and finishing in front of goal," he said.

After quarter time, the Panthers managed to hold the visitors scoreless for the remaining 51 minutes of the match to help set up the 5.13 (43) to 1.3 (9) victory.

From the first bounce, South Adelaide, who started against the wind, had several shots within the opening minutes but failed to convert.

It wasn't until Jess Kirk (three marks, three tackles) showed some great forward pressure and caught her opponent holding the ball, enabling her to go back and boot the first goal of the match.

However, unfortunately, the first quarter would also prove to be the costliest for the Panthers, with debutant Annabel Gordon going to ground with a suspected leg injury and she had to be stretchered off the ground.

"The only real downside of the night was the injury to debutant Annabel Gordon with a leg injury. Gordo had a great preseason and was playing really well before the injury. We all wish Annabel a speedy recovery," Rick Watts said.

Sturt would then go on to control the remaining few minutes of the opening quarter, but wayward kicking from both sides would see the score at quarter time at 1.2 (8) to 1.3 (9) in favour of the visitors.

Coming out after the first break, the Panthers struck fast as Elyse Haylock (18 disposals, five tackles) kicked truly after just two minutes of play to hand South the lead.

Just three minutes later, the Panthers forced a turnover which allowed Kirk to finish truly to get her second of the match.

Meanwhile, second gamer Sophia Flanagan-Sjoberg (13 disposals, two clearances) was busy running through the packs and, not too be outdone, Teah Charlton (24 disposals, five tackles) also got on a run which not only saw her handball to herself, but she also finished it off with a strong tackle.

But, despite controlling most of the play, the Panthers were unable to reflect it on the scoreboard, as South entered the main break with a 3.7 (25) to 1.3 (9) lead.

The third quarter would see much of the same as the second, with the Panthers in control for most of the quarter but failing to convert.

Kirk did take a strong grab but narrowly missed while debutant Tahlita Buethke (15 disposals, five tackles) also tried to set up one for the Panthers but to no avail. Buethke's stand out debut performance would see her go on to be named fifth best during the win.

Another stand out for the Panthers was second gamer Courtney Barry (20 disposals, ten tackles) who managed to collect a team high ten tackles during the game, which saw her get named as the runner-up best on ground for the match.

While another second gamer in the form of Layla Rogers (eight disposals) was also busy getting in amongst the action.

South Adelaide would head into the final break with a strong but inaccurate 3.11 (29) to 1.3 (9) lead.

Coming out after the final break, Talia Meyer (21 disposals, three tackles) continued where she had left off, as she ran through the centre and took the game on, before finishing it off with a goal.

The new Panther recruit would go on to receive The Panther Club best on ground award.

Meanwhile, the Panthers backline continued to stand strong, with Sam Pratt (three tackles) and Natalie Gibbs (nine disposals) both causing headaches for the opposition's forward line.

Elke Jarvis (three tackles) also stood up and took a strong contested mark midway through the final quarter.

Credit much be given to the entire backline, who denied Sturt a single score for the remaining three quarters.

However, the Panthers themselves wouldn't register a major until Montana McKinnon (15 disposals, 17 hit outs) would boot the ball forwards and allow Kirk to not only take a great grab but also follow up to boot her third goal of the match.

Just three minutes later, and the siren sounded to hand South the 5.13 (43) to 1.3 (9) victory.

South Adelaide now face rival Norwood at Flinders University Stadium on Saturday, February 29 from 6:45 pm, with that match being the last of a triple header at Noarlunga.

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