Hostplus SANFLW Prelim Final Match Wrap

South Adelaide surged into its sixth Hostplus SANFLW League Grand Final with a powerful 45-point win against Sturt in the Preliminary Final at Magain Stadium. 

Sweeping aside any lingering disappointment from their heart-stopping loss to the Eagles in the Second Semi-Final, the Panthers looked every bit the premiership contender as they held Sturt scoreless for the opening three quarters.

South’s preference to move the ball by foot paid dividend as it controlled the contest with a 33-21 inside 50m count while also having 22 more marks and 26 more kicks.

And the pressure from Rick Watts’ charges was evident early in the first term when, after two crunching tackles were laid in succession deep inside 50m, it paved the way for Hope Taylor to boot the opening goal of the game.

With ruck Soriah Moon – who missed the Second Semi-Final with a groin complaint – being eased back into the action from the interchange, South soon had their second when Lucy Northcott instinctively pounced on a loose ball to successfully let fly at goal in traffic.

Panthers Emma Charlton and Lily Baxter booted six-pointers in the second term, Charlton setting up the second for Baxter with a neat foot pass inside 50m.

And when exciting South forward Shae Archbold sunk the the only three goals of the third quarter, the hosts were well and truly in preparation mode for the title-decider.

The only concern for the Panthers will be the health of Archbold, who had to be assisted from the field late in the third term by two trainers as she was unable to place any weight on her right leg.

South will now prepare for a rematch with Woodville-West Torrens in the Hostplus SANFLW League Grand Final, which will be played next Sunday at Stratarama Stadium from 2.15pm.

Lily Baxter led the way on the stats sheet for South with 24 disposals, seven marks and a goal while Lauren Clifton had 19 disposals and Caitlin Couch 18 disposals.

Veteran defender Jaslynne Smith was like a brick wall in defence as she set up play well with her 18 disposals and seven marks.

Coming off a stunning 26-point win against North Adelaide in the First Semi-Final, Sturt’s season comes to an end after being forced into having 25 more handballs than the Panthers.

The Double Blues began to gain some fluency in the final term when using the ball by foot, leading to Millie McCarthy opening the scoring with a behind in the fifth minute.

Star Sturt midfielder Izzy Kuiper racked up a game-high 28 disposals and six clearances, while Monique Bessen had 21 disposals, five clearances and five tackles.

Claudia Edmonds and Lily Whitcombe each had 20 possessions for the Double Blues, who won the clearances 27-25.