Women's Match Report: Round 5 South vs Glenelg

Little Black Bike + Daily Grind Skate Women's Match Report

South Adelaide @ Glenelg
Round 5 - ACH Group Stadium - 28/06/20

Goals: Kirk 3, Gore, Meyer, Bennett, Charlton
Best: Gore, Campbell, Meyer, Kirk, Munyard
Injuries: Barry (Knee), Haylock (Elbow)

A dominate final quarter display sees South Adelaide come from behind to defeat Glenelg by 15 points at ACH Group Stadium on a sunny Sunday.

The Panthers, who were playing their first match in over three months, struggled to find any momentum early and trailed by a goal at the final break however, the Panthers piled on three last quarter goals while holding the Tigers scoreless to claim a hard fought 7.6 (48) to 5.3 (33) victory.

Round Five also saw the welcome return of several of South Adelaide's AFLW draftees, including the 2018 Best and Fairest Nikki Gore and the 2019 runner-up Best and Fairest Hannah Munyard, as well as Premiership players Lisa Whiteley, Cheyenne Hammond, and Nicole Campbell.

But despite the healthy list of inclusions, South Adelaide struggled to get going early and found it hard to cope with Glenelg's pressure.

A highlight of the opening minutes came when Panther debutant Gypsy Schirmer, who was playing her first football game since the U17s Grand Final last year, smothered AFLW star Ebony Marinoff which set the tone for what would prove to be a promising debut for her.

But despite a few early forward entries, it would be Glenelg who would boot the first goal of the game to which the Panthers almost came close to replying to instantly thanks to some great forward pressure by Gore.

However, it would not be until Jess Kirk kicked truly midway through the first quarter that the Panthers would be on the board with their first major of the day.

But the Panthers still could not build off this momentum as the Tigers replied with a goal of their own.

South once again came close to responding, this time thanks to a nice set up by Schirmer but the Panthers failed to convert and headed into the first break facing a 1.2 (8) to 2.2 (14) deficit.

Coming out after the first break, South continued to struggle with Caitlin Gould's dominance in the air but they were able to show their pace thanks to Munyard and Tahlia Meyer.

But despite this, it would be Glenelg who would once again boot the first goal of the quarter.

Kirk was able to show her soccer background with a goal off the ground, while Gore was able to kick her first goal as a Panther with a thumping kick to even the scores.

Meanwhile, down the other end Sam Pratt made her presence felt with a goal saving tackle but the Panthers continued to have problems with containing Marinoff.

A late goal by the home side saw the Panthers once again head into the break trailing this time facing a 3.2 (20) to 4.3 (27) deficit.

South Adelaide needed to win in order to hold onto second spot, but after coming out for the second half, the Tigers booted the first goal of the quarter again.

Meyer would show her class and respond for the Panthers with her first goal of the game, but unfortunately the Panthers would lose Courtney Barry who took a heavy hit and had to be stretched off the ground.

The remainder of the third quarter became a stalemate, as both sides refused to give an inch.

Down by a goal at the final break, the Panthers had plenty of work to do to claim victory.

South looked dangerous early as Teah Charlton came close to booting her first goal of the match but hit the post.

However, Kirk was able to follow up with her third goal of the match to give the Panthers the lead.

Gore, who would go onto be named as the best on ground, took a huge intercept mark and for the first time during the match, the Panthers looked as if they had the momentum.

Gore and Campbell continued to combine through the middle to set up beautiful plays for the Panthers.

Meyer was able to set up Charlton, whose strong contested mark allowed her to extend South's lead. Meanwhile, Georgia Pennifold who was another debutant from South's junior pathway was able to show some promising signs up forward.

With Whiteley standing strong down back and Indy Tahau starting to take her signature pack marks the Panthers began to run away with the match.

Madison Bennett's late goal was the final nail in the coffin, and the siren eventually sounded to signal South Adelaide's strong 7.6 (48) to 5.3 (33) come from behind win.

Sitting second on the ladder, the Panthers now travel back home to face Central District at Flinders University Stadium on Saturday July 4, from 3:30 pm.

Show the Girls that your are #SouthProud in 2020!