Daily Grind Women's Match Report: Round 6 vs Eagles

Daily Grind Women's Match Report Round 6: A Miracle Goal and a Magical Milestone

Saturday saw South Adelaide claim a thrilling 11-point win over Woodville-West Torrens at Flinders University Stadium.

The 9.3 (57) to 7.4 (46) victory sees South Adelaide keep their finals dream alive, but Round Six was much more than just a season-defining game.

Played under the hot Noarlunga sun, the game was a story of the star and the rising star.

The Panthers, who were celebrating Nicole Campbell’s fiftieth SANFLW match, had a final quarter surge that was spurred on by a miracle goal by the young prospect, Shae Archbold.

But before Archbold could kick that eye-catching goal – the Panthers and Eagles struggled to gain, and hold, a buffer over each other.

Fittingly, it was Archbold who opened the scoring with a goal just two minutes into the first term. But a minute later, the visitors found a replier to level the scores.

From there, the goals dried up for several minutes as both teams had to adjust to the very warm conditions.

And it seemed that the Panthers adjusted first as the blue and white botted three goals within five minutes: another to Archbold, and singles to Brooke Boileau and Jess Waterhouse.

Holding a 4.1 (25) to 1.1 (7) lead at quarter time, it looked like the Panthers were going to easily defend their unbeaten record against the Eagles.

But the visitors were quick to turn that feeling around.

With the exception of a Courtney Barry goal, the Eagles enjoyed the majority of the scoring during the second term as they piled on five goals in 20 minutes of footy. Dowrick and Simmons accounted for two each.

Following a promising opening quarter, the Panthers suddenly found themselves behind at the halftime break, 5.3 (33) to 6.1 (37).

Looking like a seasoned defender, Gypsy Schirmer caught an Eagle holding the footy at halfback within the opening minute – a small act that prevented a costly goal.

Then, after a clever mark by Nari Wright who would go on to be named as the Best on Ground, the Panthers turned Schirmer’s stop into their own look inside 50.

And awaiting inside the 50 arc was Lucy Northcott, who was happy to answer the call. Her goal, which came five minutes into the opening term, handed the Panthers back the lead.

Yet the Eagles would eventually retake the lead midway through the third term.

However, the deficit could have been more if it was not for a late smother by Campbell and a clearance by Pinktails’ debutant Brylee Kerrin.

Kerrin and Campbell’s efforts in the dying minute meant that the Panthers entered the final break facing a much narrower deficit of 6.3 (39) to 7.2 (44).

With everything to play for, Layla Rogers made her presence felt in the opening minute of the fourth quarter with a crucial holding the ball tackle at halfback.

This then set the stage for Archbold’s amazing goal.

Collecting the footy deep in the pocket – the same pocket that Liam Fitt kicked last year’s Goal of the Year – the young Panther product put boot to ball and, with a bounce that would make the late-great Shane Warne proud, it went through to level the game.

This miracle goal seemingly swung momentum as, a couple of minutes later, Rogers once again popped up – this time to set it up for the leading Lisa Whiteley, who went back and kicked the lead-taking goal.

Behind the footy, Tiff Copley stepped up with a strong intercept mark with the flight of the footy deep inside the Eagles’ forward territory.

Yet the visitors would eventually breakthrough with a behind – which made it a five-point ball game with five minutes left to play.

This is when another Willunga prospect stepped up with a crucial play as Holly Ifould was forced to take on three Eagles at half-forward.

Despite being outnumbered, she won the footy and sent it inside the forward 50 to Rogers – who marked and kicked truly on the run to seal the match.

The siren would sound just two minutes later to signal the hard-fought and thrilling 9.3 (57) to 7.4 (46) win.

Following the League game, the Development Squad took to the field for their second to last hit out for 2022.

Caitlin Radbone was the main standout from the Development Girls’ 25-point loss, 2.5 (17) to 6.6 (42). Venessa Stokes and Chloe Jacobs were also strong contributors for the blue and white.

The local talents of Kiahni Russell and Emily Franklin were responsible for the Panthers’ two goals.

South Adelaide now turns their attention to the ladder-leading Double Blues. The Panthers will clash with Sturt at Flinders University Stadium on Saturday, 26 March, with the Development at 4:00pm and the League from 6:00pm.

South Adelaide vs Eagles
Round 6 - Flinders University Stadium - 19/03/2022

Goals: Archbold 3, Barry, Boileau, Northcott, Rogers, Waterhouse, Whiteley 
Best: N.Wright, Campbell, Rogers, Waterhouse, Barry
Crowd: 400

South Adelaide Dev vs Eagles Dev
Round 5 - Flinders University Stadium - 5/03/2022

Goal: Russell, Franklin
Best: C.Radbone, Stokes, Jacobs

We're ready for 2022, are you?