Hostplus SANFLW Semi-Final Match Wraps

By WARREN PARTLAND

South Adelaide is just one win from creating Hostplus SANFLW League history after conquering Glenelg by 28 points in the second semi-final at Flinders University Stadium.

The Panthers, striving to be the first club to claim three SANFLW premierships, are the first team into the grand final after confirming their favoritism with the statement victory.

The Tigers have now lost four of the past five games and must overcome Norwood in the elimination final to earn a rematch with the Panthers.

Minor premiers after winning their final six games heading into the finals, the Panthers set the tone from the outset with their trademark defensive efforts being backed by improved attacking work.

Melissa Anderson has thrived this season and she nailed the only goal of the free-flowing opening quarter six minutes into the contest to give the Panthers the ascendency.

After keeping the visitors scoreless in the first term, the Panthers went on the attack early in the second quarter to establish the platform for the win. They bagged two goals within two minutes and another five minutes later to build a commanding 26-point buffer.

When the Panthers kicked their third goal for the quarter after seven minutes, they had had 30 possessions to just four for the under siege Tigers. Onballer Nikki Nield was her busy self, along with Caitlin Couch and Jordann Hickey, who had the challenging role of shadowing Tigers’ ball magnet Jessica Bates.

Eloise Mackereth nailed the Tigers’ first goal in the final seconds of the second term and they challenged the Panthers in the third quarter with a lift in intensity.

The influence of Bates, making her 50th appearance after returning from a foot injury, became an issue for the home side. The Tigers failed to capitalise, however, and they managed just four behinds for the term.

The Tigers closed to within 17 points early in the fourth term, but Couch capped an outstanding game to kick two goals and ensure the Panthers had the rest this weekend.

Norwood kept its title hopes alive with a five-point victory over reigning champion Central District in a tense first semi-final confrontation at Flinders University Stadium.

The Redlegs nailed the only two goals of the final quarter, while keeping the Bulldogs scoreless, to come from behind at three-quarter time and earn a preliminary final battle against Glenelg.

After winning their final minor round contest to scramble into the finals, the Redlegs were under the pump early against a Bulldogs outfit switched on from the opening bounce.

The Bulldogs, with 14 premiership players from last year in the side, dominated clearances and spent the early minutes camped deep in attack, only to waste prime scoring opportunities, before Tarly Borgas kicked the first goal after nine minutes.

It took 10 minutes for the Redlegs to make an entry inside 50, such was the territorial domination of the Bulldogs.

Lana Schwerdt, the daughter of former Bulldogs’ star Stephen, kicked the first goal for the Redlegs 14 minutes into the quarter when she took advantage of poor defensive work from the Bulldogs.

Both sides added a goal in the second quarter to have the scores level at half-time.

Adrienne Davies gave the Redlegs the advantage with an early goal in the third term, before gun attacking weapon Katelyn Rosenzweig broke the game apart with three goals in four minutes to give the Bulldogs a 12-point lead.

Under pressure to respond, the Redlegs showed enormous fight to provide the answers. Coby Morgan goalled 14 minutes into the third term, and the Redlegs bagged the only two goals of the final quarter.

Emma Clark’s goal to put the Redlegs in front was again a result of sloppy work by the Bulldogs deep in defence.

Tahlita Buethke was brilliant for the Redlegs, amassing a game-high 26 possessions. Kiana Lee and Jade Halfpenny also had a massive impact for the victors.

Inspirational Bulldogs premiership captain Shelby Smith was chaired from the ground after the final siren by teammates after announcing her retirement.