Two premiership heroes were welcomed back to the Panthers lineup as South Adelaide notched a convincing 53-point win over Glenelg at Stratarama Stadium.

Nikki Nield and Jordann Rugless returned to play for the first time in 2026, while draft prospects Emma Charlton and Layla Vizgaudis missed the match due to their involvement in the AFLW National Academy showcase game.

Among the changes was the debut of Cove’s Jaidee-Lee Shortridge (#139), sister of Cohen, who earned her first game in the blue and white.

Following on from a disappointing showing early against the Eagles in Round 6, the Panthers flipped the script to put eight goals on the Tigers in the first half.

Present at the opening centre ball-up, Nield won the first clearance, resulting in a Hope Taylor behind inside thirty seconds.

Taylor marginally missed a second chance at goal, but it was ominous signs with the ball locked in the forward half for South Adelaide.

Mel Anderson kicked the first after she wrapped up her opponent, then ruck Soriah Moon combined on the one-two with Shortridge to kick an unbelievable open play goal from the boundary.

The momentum continued as Rugless worked her way into the game, finding Esther Schirmer in space to slot the third goal.

Glenelg managed to get some forward play by the end of the quarter, but a composed Panthers defence made every possession difficult to hold them out.

After the break, Rugless was quick to get involved, converting a perfect centre clearance to kick-off the second quarter. She looked as if she had barely missed a beat, gaining separation from her opponent to finish off the next goal.

Shortridge intercepted a kick in the middle of the ground, leading to the counterattack that created her first SANFLW League goal as she pushed forward in support.

Olivia Evans and Caitlin Couch were resilient in their work through the middle, as the Panthers held the game in complete control.

Nield worked hard at ground level, with Schirmer also involved as South Adelaide surged forward on the break, allowing Laquoiya Cockatoo-Motlap to run in and finish.

Another goal to Anderson capped off a faultless first half, with the scoring intensity easing as the second half began. 

Both sides were limited to a single score in the third term, including the Tigers’ first of the day.

Jaslynne Smith patrolled the backline as Glenelg managed to press the ball forward, regularly mopping up the loose play.

The teams traded goals late to close out the game, as Taylor leapt high to kick her first goal after two earlier misses.

Clinical across the board, Couch ended with 29 disposals and five clearances, often sitting back with Evans, who had 24 disposals, seven marks and seven tackles herself.

Moon displayed athleticism and forward craft with her fantastic running goal, finishing the game with 22 disposals, six clearances and 26 hitouts.

Nield and Rugless made assured returns to SANFLW League action after a total absence of more than 1000 days.

Continuing her strong form in front of goal, Anderson finished with two, while youngster Shortridge made an impact with a goal and eight disposals on debut.

South Adelaide now head into the league-wide bye and will aim to extend their gap over third-placed Norwood when they return in Round 8 at Revo Fitness Oval on Saturday, 20^th June at 1:20pm.