After comprehensively beating the Bloods last week, South Adelaide found themselves on the receiving end of a nightmare first quarter as they suffered a 6-point loss to ladder leaders Woodville-West Torrens.

In a consecutive fixture relocated from Richmond Oval to Noarlunga, wet conditions arrived on the morning of the 2025 SANFLW Grand Final rematch.

Three goals in the first ten minutes set the tone for the game, as the Eagles came out with an aggressive style of play that left the Panthers struggling to gain possession. Two came from the boot of Klaudia O’Neill, who outworked the defence.

The situation was made worse as Madison Brown was taken from the field with a suspected concussion, not returning to play.

South Adelaide was unable to respond, with repeated difficulties in linking up by hand, largely due to the intensity of the Eagles’ pressure game. 

The rain returned after the break, with the Panthers again forced to chase from behind. It took five minutes of the second quarter for Emma Charlton to register a behind, before she redeemed herself by converting from a downfield free kick. 

Charlotte Dolan’s attack on the ball never wavered, driving it deep to the top of the square to spark a string of contested possessions. The Eagles couldn’t escape Mel Anderson as she dispossessed her opponent, who then conceded a 25-metre penalty that resulted in a shot directly in front.

It was a half of contrasting quarters, with the Panthers unable to score in the first term, followed by the Eagles in the second. 

Although the rain had eased, the surface was still wet underfoot which made for a contest. A goal to the Eagles through Cherylee Waters made the task even harder as the lead stretched back out to 14.

Emily Brockhurst had the chance to pull one back after Soriah Moon was given free space in the ruck, but she missed across the face from the pocket.

From the other side shortly after, Hope Taylor set up Anderson, but her running shot was rushed and went out of bounds on the full.

Pushing for the win, South Adelaide desperately took the ball forward at every opportunity, but for little result. The Panthers were left to rue their missed chances, with troubles locking the ball inside 50 for the best part of the day.

A goal to Taylor from another 25-metre penalty gave hope in the dying stages, but the Eagles held on for the points.

Holly Ifould finished with 24 disposals and applied four tackles, while Charlton was an asset in the forward half with 18 disposals, seven tackles, six inside 50s and a goal.

Also among the best, Anderson laid nine tackles while Taylor laid seven, ending with a goal apiece.

Captain Tiffany King dug in to support fellow leader Moon in the ruck, who had 29 hitouts and six clearances of her own.

South Adelaide looks onwards to Round 7, as they travel to Stratarama Stadium to take on Glenelg on Saturday, 6^th June at 12:00pm.