Round 14 Hostplus SANFLW Match Wraps

By WARREN PARTLAND

South Adelaide confirmed its favouritism for the Hostplus SANFLW League flag with its second thumping of Central District this season.

The Panthers conquered the Bulldogs by 26 points at X Convenience Oval to secure their sixth successive win and claim the minor premiership and home ground advantage for the second semi-final.

They will face Glenelg in the first week of finals after the Tigers jumped above the Bulldogs with a one-point win over Woodville-West Torrens.

And Emily Brockhurst nailed the Panthers’ final four goals to equal the season tally of Bulldogs’ gun forward Katelyn Rosenzweig with 25 goals and share top spot on the goalkicking list.

Rosenzweig kicked the Bulldogs’ first goal midway through the first term, but the home side put just one more goal on the scoreboard and that did not come until the final quarter.

The pressure from the Panthers was outstanding and they won all the vital statistics.

Sturt’s late season charge at a finals berth has fallen exasperatingly short despite claiming a fourth successive win with a 37-point triumph against North Adelaide at Thomas Farms Oval.

Needing the win to climb above fourth-placed Norwood and a percentage boost to overtake West Adelaide, the Double Blues did all they could to sneak into the finals. However, the Redlegs narrowly beat the Bloods to deny the Double Blues.

The return of gun youngster India Rasheed proved significant for the Double Blues. The teenager kicked two goals in the first quarter and finished with a game-high 29 possessions in another advertisement of her incredible talents.

The Double Blues took advantage of the wind at their backs in the first quarter to bag three goals, while keeping the bottom-placed Roosters scoreless.

They took complete control when Amy Brooks-Birve capped off brilliant lead up work to kick a goal against the wind, two minutes into the second quarter.

Kristi Harvey, best known for her work in defence, kicked the Roosters’ first goal midway through the second term.

The Double Blues dominated all the statistics with Alisha Gepp, Isobel Kuiper and Monique Bessen again having an impact.

Norwood was forced to overcome a challenging battle with West Adelaide at Hisense Stadium to confirm its spot in the first semi-final.

The Redlegs, who will face Central District in the do-or-die decider, held on in a tense final quarter to win by six points and deny Sturt and the Bloods the opportunity to jump above them and into fourth position.

Needing the win to have any hope of continuing their season beyond the minor round, the Bloods frustrated the Redlegs when they kicked goals on the siren to end the first and second quarters.

Lucy Waye took advantage of the downfield free to kick the Bloods’ first goal and Jemma Ellis kicked a terrific goal to put the home side in front at half time.

The Redlegs’ response was two goals from Kiana Lee in the third quarter.

Nicole Hooper nailed the only goal of the final term a minute into the quarter to get the home side within five points, but it was to no avail as the Redlegs fought to hang onto the lead.

Glenelg used a fourth quarter comeback to climb back into second spot on the ladder and secure the crucial double chance in the finals with a one-point victory over Woodville-West Torrens at Maughan Thiem Kia Oval.

The Tigers bagged all three goals in the final quarter, the third a snap from Eloise Mackereth under intense pressure, to retrieve a 17-point deficit and earn a second semi-final clash against South Adelaide.

The Eagles, who nailed the only two goals of the first quarter while keeping the Tigers scoreless, had the game at their mercy when Grace Martin kicked the only goal in the third term.

Ruck Leah Cutting dominated the tap work for the Eagles, while consistent Marlie Fiegert was busy.

But the Tigers, without ball magnet Jessica Bates (foot injury), showed tremendous fight in the final quarter and turned up the heat in a high stakes battle for the two premiership points.

Marie Martino was outstanding for the Tigers, amassing a game-high 26 possessions, while Jo Miller also had a heavy influence for the visitors.