Panthers topple Tigers

Glimpses of our best without consistency wasn’t enough to topple top-of-the-table South, as we went down by 13 points at home.

Our team was able to start hard and fast, winning clearance and being first to the ball with a frantic desire to win the ball. Excellent defensive pressure from our forward line and midfield meant that the play remained in our front half. We know that South are fast on transition and so this was key for us this game. It meant that we were able to impact quick on the scoreboard through Packer and Swanson, who were able to wind back the clock.

Our ability to keep this momentum was halted with a pressured fast moving quarter from South, who started to win the contested possession and also be able to move the ball out. With the onslaught of ball movement, we just could find connection moving forward  and lacked some trust in disposal and decision. With some pivotal skill errors, we allowed South back into the game with a three goal term.

Pleasingly, the team was able to remain in the fight, whereas I feel like in previous weeks, we’ve lacked some urgency to really swing the momentum back. Our pressure increased, and we began to move the ball the way that we have been working on all season. With a huge goal from captain Kellock right on the third quarter siren, we only trailed by four points at the last break.

As a young side, we will continue to learn what is going to help us push through this inability to move the ball fast and how we want. We need to learn how to bring control to a game, to trust our decisions and to work for each other so that we can get the ball forward. We were just stifled around the contest, and South’s surge football allowed them to kick another great goal with a good aerial contest.

Our focus is always to keep taking steps forward, working on making sure the little things are done right so that, overall, we come out on top with continual development of all. We are disappointed, but the game showed glimpses of our best, and now it’s about bringing consistency with our method to make sure that we can play the brand of football that was synonymous with the Glenelg women in the first half of the season.

– Lexi Edwards, Senior Coach

Goal kickers: C. Packer (2), E. Kellock, C. Swanson

Best Players: M. Freeman, T. Morriss, E. Kellock, T. Kohn, S. Dayman