South Adelaide has scrapped out a four-goal win over Central District on an uncharacteristically warm ANZAC Day afternoon at X Convenience Oval.

Olivia Evans (#135), as well as Kate Chapman (#136), who was a late inclusion for Doreena Hansen, made their Panthers debuts at The Ponderosa during the game.

The ball was played in a stalemate between the arcs early, but Emily Brockhurst was released on the counter to set up Laquoiya Cockatoo-Motlap in on goal, but she was run down before she could take her kick.

Madison Brown made her presence felt around the stoppage, getting involved with a run on receive handball from a Brockhurst free kick, but was unable to kick the goal from open play.

Shortly after, it would be Hope Taylor to make the most of the Panthers’ chances, winning a free kick of her own to convert from the set shot for the only goal of the quarter.

The second term was where the South Adelaide defence began to show their class and experience, highlighted by a coast-to-coast play from half-back, the successful switch catching the Bulldogs unaware as Mel Anderson strolled in to goal.

Olivia Evans got around the ball on the wing, playing in her first game for her new club since crossing over from Woodville-West Torrens at the end of last season.

Set up behind the ball, Samantha Pratt was able to mark, leading to a potential score launch with Taylor in on goal, but a desperate Central District defence managed to reel her in with another goal-saving tackle.

Holly Ifould impacted as an interceptor in the forward half, but most impressively went back in defence to win a contested one-on-one mark on the last line to prevent the Bulldogs first goal.

Through sheer weight in numbers, Central District were able to break the deadlock through Shelby Smith, making their hard work pay off late.

South Adelaide did all the scoring in the third quarter, but only managed to kick one goal as they held the Bulldogs scoreless.

That goal came after three consecutive behinds, with a floating ball from Caitlin Couch falling into the hands of Brockhurst, who outworked her opponent to push the margin to 15.

The last quarter saw South Adelaide assert themselves, creating a buffer to see out the win.

Taylor proved the difference, recording three scoring shots in the fourth term for two goals. The pick of them came in a one-two play with Esther Schirmer, finishing with the Panthers’ fifth goal.

The game was effectively sealed, and with it the Panthers had conceded just three goals across the opening two games of the Hostplus SANFLW season.

Central District finished with 28 inside 50s for one goal, a strong testament to the Panthers’ backline, which was not willing to give up easy possession.

Layla Vizgaudis was the leading disposal getter for the game with 25, while laying four tackles and gaining four clearances.

Ifould covered all parts of the ground with 22 disposals, along with four inside 50s and an equal team-high six marks with Couch. Co-captain Tiffany King was resolute in defence, while Evans applied the trademark Panthers pressure with eight tackles.

Ruck duties were filled in by Tamika May in rotation with Jess Chyer, as Soriah Moon missed the game through illness.

On debut, Kate Chapman collected eight disposals and five tackles, while Brockhurst and Taylor looked dangerous whenever the ball went forward, Taylor finishing with three goals.

South Adelaide looks onwards to Round 3 with all games set to take place at Coopers Stadium on Saturday, 2^nd May, lining up for the second game of the day against North Adelaide at 12:40pm.