Hostplus SANFLW Semi-Final Match Wraps

14 July 2025

By ALEXANDRA BULL

Woodville-West Torrens is heading to its maiden Hostplus SANFLW League Grand Final after defeating South Adelaide by one-point at Maughan Thiem Kia Oval.

It was Klaudia O’Neill who proved to be the hero for the Eagles, taking a strong mark late in the final term before going back and calmly kicking the goal that would send her side into the grand final.

The Eagles got off to a flying start at home with back-to-back goals from Amie Blanden and Rosette Zerella, the home side picking up where it left off last week.

In an evenly-contested first quarter across the ground, it was the Eagles who took a handy 13-point lead into the first break.

South got itself on the board in the second quarter as forward Lucy Northcott broke through for the Panthers, but it was not long before the Eagles responded via Brianna Walling.

Panthers young-gun Emma Charlton got one on the board, as the visitors slowly chipped away at the deficit and headed into half-time five points down.

It was a defensive third term for both teams struggling to find the goals, but Charlton broke through late in the quarter for her second and it was all tied up a three-quarter-time, with the first grand final spot on the line for both teams.

A couple of missed shots on goals proved handy for the Eagles in the fourth term, however South forward Emily Brockhurst slotted one to give the Panthers their first lead of the day and it seemed like a sixth grand final appearance for the reigning premiers was imminent.

Enter O’Neill.

The Eagles forward has proved clutch on many occasions this year, including a four-goal haul last week that allowed her side to claim its first Hostplus SANFLW League minor premiership.

O’Neill got on the end of perfect kick from Olivia Evans, taking a game-defining mark and calmly going back to kick the match-winner to send her side into its first grand final appearance since joining the league in 2019.

A multitude of Eagles stood up when it mattered the most, including Zahlia Niemann who tallied 20 disposals to go along with six marks, four tackles and seven rebound 50s.

Leah Cutting had a field day against the Panthers – who were missing their two rucks in Soriah Moon and Taya Maxwell – recording 41 hit outs and four clearances and was well supported by Julia Faulkner (10 tackles), captain Annie Falkenberg (15 disposals, four tackles) and Alice Tentye (13 disposals, 10 tackles).

Charlton (25 disposals, 10 tackles, six clearances, two goals, seven inside 50s) was a standout for the Panthers, who will now play Sturt in a Preliminary Final this Sunday and will hope to regain Moon and Maxwell for their do-or-die clash.

Caitlin Couch (10 disposals, seven tackles, five marks), Lauren Clifton (15 disposals, six marks, four tackles) and Tamika May (13 disposals, five marks, five clearances) were all excellent for South in a tough loss.

Woodville-West Torrens will now get the week off as it prepares for its first Hostplus SANFLW Grand Final appearance, whilst South Adelaide will host Sturt in the Preliminary Final this Sunday at Magain Stadium from 12pm.

Sturt picked up where it left off last week, defeating North Adelaide by four goals at Maughan Thiem Kia Oval to send itself into the Hostplus SANFLW League Preliminary Final. 

The Double Blues got things going fairly quickly in the first quarter via Georgia King and Lily Whiteman, as they were hunting to stay in the finals race and claim a maiden SANFLW flag.

Sturt took a two-goal lead into quarter time, but both teams struggled to find the goals in the second term with only a point each recorded, leaving North goalless in the first half for the second week in a row.

Sturt put its foot down in the third term, kicking three in-a-row thanks to 17-year-old Skout Young (two goals) and Sienna Fox (one goal) before North captain Amber Ward kicked her side’s only goal of the day – the Double Blues taking a four-goal lead into the final term.

It was a stagnant fourth quarter, with neither team kicking a goal, but Sturt had done enough in the previous three quarters to send itself to the preliminary final, thus ending North’s season.

Sturt midfielder Isobel Kuiper had a day out with 22 disposals, eight tackles and nine clearances, with Monique Bessen (21 disposals, 10 tackles) Double Blues’ captain Alisha Gepp (18 disposals, eight tackles, four clearances) and Isabella Drew (16 disposals, nine marks) among the best for the victors.

Julia Clark was excellent for the Roosters on her return, notching up 28 disposals, five tackles and nine clearances.

Jamie Parish (18 disposals, seven marks), Djimila Totham (12 disposals, eight tackles) and Laura Niejalke (11 disposals, six tackles) all performed well for the Roosters in their final game for 2025.

Sturt will head down south to take on the Panthers on Sunday at Magain Stadium from 12pm in the Hostplus SANFLW Preliminary Final, with North knocked out of the finals.