The Panthers continued their winning ways with a composed 18-point victory over Central District at The Ponderosa, marking their fifth consecutive win.

In contrast to recent outings, the Panthers found their accuracy in front of goal, setting the tone for a strong three-goal win.

Former Port Adelaide AFLW player Laquoiya Cockatoo-Motlap opened the scoring for South, quickly followed by a sharp finish from dynamic forward Shae Archbold. Central District’s Katelyn Rosenzweig replied just before quarter time, reducing the deficit to five points at the first break.

The second quarter turned into an arm wrestle, with neither side able to take control.

The ball lived largely between the arcs, but South Adelaide gained the edge with superior ball control, registering 19 marks to the Dogs' 9. Ruck Soriah Moon continued her outstanding season, winning 13 of her 42 hitouts in the quarter alone.

The deadlock finally broke at the 15-minute mark after Lauren Clifton’s big run down the wing. Some sharp handball work from Emily Brockhurst and Doreena Hansen set up a walk-in goal for Cockatoo-Motlap.

Just minutes later, Layla Vizgaudis sent the ball back inside 50, and Lily Baxter’s clever handball found Moon, who snapped truly for her first goal since Round 1, 2023. The Panthers entered the main break 15 points ahead.

Centrals, as they did last time these sides met at Magain Stadium, came out with renewed energy after halftime. Tesharna Maher burst through a defensive stoppage created by Sam Pratt to kick a remarkable off-balance goal, followed soon after by Alysha Healy cutting the margin to just three points.

Despite missing two opportunities, the Dogs clawed back to within two points late in the third term. But just before the break, a crucial run-down tackle by Cockatoo-Motlap sparked a chain of movement, with a great kick to Baxter who sent it in long to a one v one where Brockhurst was able to take possession and find the running Baxter who capitalised with a steady finish to give the Panthers an eight-point lead at the final change.

The early stages of the last quarter echoed the second, with both sides locked in a back-and-forth tussle.

But South’s experienced defenders, led by Pratt and Jaslynne Smith, held firm. Their efforts led to a forward surge where Archbold’s pressure allowed Cockatoo-Motlap to find Brockhurst in space. The forward made no mistake, running in her second goal of the season.

Archbold sealed the result with her second major, putting an exclamation mark on another clinical team performance.

Moon was immense, producing one of the standout individual performances of the 2025 season with 42 hitouts, 27 disposals, a goal, five tackles, and nine clearances. She was well supported by emerging midfield stars Emma Charlton (22 disposals, eight clearances) and Taya Maxwell (17 disposals, seven clearances, six inside 50s). Down back, Esther Schirmer was outstanding, keeping the league’s leading goal kicker, Katelyn Rosenzweig, to just a single major.

The Panthers now sit two games clear in second place on the ladder and will venture deep into their zone next Sunday, May 18, for a historic clash against Sturt at Strathalbyn. This will be the first SANFLW match played in South Adelaide’s zone, with free entry—a fantastic chance for the local community to come out and support their team.