Round 4 Hostplus SANFLW Match Wraps

By WARREN PARTLAND

South Adelaide surged from behind to conquer Central District by a point at Magain Stadium, climbing to second on the Hostplus SANFLW League ladder.

The Panthers were staring at defeat when they trailed by 12 points after gun Bulldogs forward Katelyn Rosenzweig nailed her second goal 12 minutes into the final quarter.

But Shae Archbold kept the home side’s hopes alive with her second major, and Lily Baxter levelled the scores with her second goal 17 minutes into the final term. A behind a minute later was sufficient to get the Panthers their third win.

Rosenzweig gave the visitors the early lead, only for the Panthers to nail three unanswered goals to grab the ascendency.

Panthers ruck Soriah Moon had a significant influence, not only dominating the tap work, but picking up plenty of possession. She finished with 27 disposals, nine clearances and 23 hit outs.

Wasted opportunities in front of goal hurt the Panthers and the Bulldogs, led by Madison Lane, pounced to lead going into the final term.

The pressure in the final quarter was immense. The Bulldogs looked headed for a rare win over the Panthers, before the home side charged to victory on the back of the two late goals.

North Adelaide continued to show encouraging signs with a hard-fought 30-point win over Glenelg at Prospect Oval.

The Roosters established the platform for the victory with a superb second quarter when they bagged three goals, while keeping the Tigers scoreless.

In fact, the Tigers did not add a score from the 13 minute mark of the first quarter until 17 minutes into the third term.

The Roosters’ Laela Ebert kicked the first goal of the game and her first at league level nine minutes into the first quarter.

The Tigers responded four minutes later when former Redleg Kaitey Whittaker nailed her first goal at this level.

The Bays got their hands to plenty of ball and won the clearances. But they were unable to take advantage and were easily beaten in the inside 50 count.

Julie Clark had a huge impact for the Roosters with 27 possessions, while ball magnet Jessica Bates had a game high 35 disposals.

The Tigers are the only team yet to win a game after four rounds.

Woodville-West Torrens’ Rosette Zerella celebrated her milestone 50th appearance with a brilliant four-goal performance in the impressive 38-point win over Norwood at Maughan Thiem Kia Oval.

Fronting her former side, Zerella was potent in attack from the outset. She nailed the opening goal after six minutes, added two more in the third quarter and kicked the final goal of the contest.

The Eagles have yet to qualify for a finals series, but they have opened the season in emphatic fashion with four outstanding wins.

The Redlegs challenged the Eagles early and scores were locked together at half time, both sides putting just one goal on the scoreboard.

However, the home side turned up the heat in the second half and were rewarded for their relentless pressure. Christina Leuzzi had a massive influence for the Eagles with 30 possessions, six tackles and five clearances.

The dominance of the Eagles was reflected in the statistics with the inside 50 count 41-19 in their favour.

Sophie Arkun and Jade Halfpenny were the most prolific disposal earners for the Redlegs with 19.

Sturt has held off a late charge from West Adelaide at Thomas Farms Oval to claim a second successive win by just four points.

The Double Blues held the Bloods goalless for three quarters, before the visitors threatened to take the points when Sarah Campbell kicked the only two goals of the final term.

The first quarter was a titanic struggle with both teams managing to put only a behind on the scoreboard.

Molly Fletcher kicked the only goal of the second quarter for the Double Blues, who added the only two goals of the third term to seemingly have the contest under control.

The Bloods got their hands to more ball and despite being belted in the hitouts, they won the clearance count.

Zoe Venning continued her impressive form for the Bloods with a game high 27 possessions, while Hannah Button had seven clearances and nine tackles.

Isobel Kuiper has again been outstanding for the Double Blues this season and she had seven clearances and eight tackles.

It was the second successive loss for the Bloods.