• Purchase your 2019 Panthers Women's Membership
• Max a tax deductible donations to the South Adelaide Female Pathways Program

South Adelaide are set for a Grand Final rematch with Norwood at the Parade this Friday night.

The Panthers took care of Sturt in Round 1, and could make only one forced change to the line up that opened the season with a win.

Nikki Gore has been recalled by the Crows and could potentially make her AFLW debut against Fremantle this weekend.

Senior coach Rick Watts has called upon experienced defender Emily Woods and untried pair Natalie Gibbs and Emily Brockhurst as potential replacements.

All three have been named on an extended interchange that must be trimmed by two prior to first bounce.

If selected, Brockhurst would become South Adelaide's first father-daughter product. Dad, Andrew, played 131 games for the Panthers over two stints between 1985-88 and 1991-93.

South Adelaide Round 2 SANFLW presented by Hilton's Betta Home Living

Round Details

What: SANFLW Round 2 - South Adelaide @ Norwood
Where: Coopers Stadium
When: Friday, February 22 - 7:45pm (North Adelaide vs Glenelg - 6:00pm)
Entry: Free

SANFLW

In: Woods, Gibbs, Brockhurst
Out: Gore (AFLW)
New: Gibbs, Brockhurst
Milestones:

• Purchase your 2019 Panthers Women's Membership
• Max a tax deductible donations to the South Adelaide Female Pathways Program

SAFCW Match Report

South Adelaide vs Sturt
Round 1 - Flinders University Stadium - 15/02/19

Goals: Charlton 3, Munyard, Buchanan, Browne
Best: Campbell, Munyard, Charlton, McKinnon, Gore, Hammond
Injuries: 

The first game at Flinders University Stadium saw South Adelaide get their 2019 SANFL Statewide Super Women's League campaign off to a winning start with a 32-point victory over Sturt on Friday evening.

After raising the 2018 premiership flag prior to the first bounce, the Panthers shrugged off an inaccurate start to the game to come storming home on the back of a three-goal haul from young forward Teah Charlton.

South dominated possession throughout the contest (235 disposals to 145), but struggled to convert their control of the game into scoreboard pressure in the early going.

The leaders for both sides stood up early as captains Caitlyn Swanson and Lauren Buchanan traded slick snaps on goal at either end to open the scoring for their sides.

However, Lauren Lovell's roving kick off the ground would push the visitors into the lead at the first change.

Scores were locked at 13 at halftime and both sides struggled to break the deadlock throughout an arm wrestle of a third term.

However, following a string of neat forward passages the Panthers finally broke through as Charlton clunked a strong mark at the top of the square and goalled right on the three quarter time siren.
 

This would prove the confidence booster South needed, as they rattled off 4.2 to no score in the final term and cruise to a comfortable win.

Hannah Munyard took less than two minutes to open the scoring in the fourth after showing her explosive pace to break away from a forward 50 stoppage and goal on the run.

Charlton added two more major scores to her personal tally, pouncing on a chip pass from Madison Bennett and coolly snapping a running shot from 20m out to the northern end.

Finally, Norwood recruit Alana Browne put the game to rest after converting a set shot from a strong tackle resulting in a holding the ball decision.

Fellow former Redleg Nicole Campbell, Munyard and Nikki Gore (available after not being selected for AFLW duties) were the major movers in the Panthers midfield, gathering 19 possessions a piece.

Meanwhile, Montana McKinnon (13 touches and 20 hit outs) was instrumental at the stoppages giving first use to her midfield.

The Panthers women are next in action this Friday night (7:45pm, February 22) in a Grand Final rematch at the Parade.

Support our women's program with a Panthers Women's Membership!

• Purchase your 2019 Panthers Women's Membership
• Max a tax deductible donations to the South Adelaide Female Pathways Program

South Adelaide are set to kick off their 2019 SANFL Statewide Super Women's League campaign with a clash against Sturt on Friday evening.

The Panthers will be unfurling their 2018 SANFLW premiership flag prior to first bounce, before unveiling a new-look team that will embark on their title defence against the Double Blues.

Off season recruits Nicole Campbell (Norwood), Alana Browne (Norwood) and Tamara Page (Glenelg) have all been named for their South Adelaide debut.

Meanwhile, 10 further debutants will be given their chance at League level.

Off the field a water slide, inflatable football games and the 'Statewide Super Team' will keep kids busy in the Family Friendly Zone.

It is also Fish & Furphy Friday and Kids Eat Free at Jimmy Deane's.

South Adelaide Round 1 SANFLW presented by Hilton's Betta Home Living

Round Details

What: SANFLW Round 1 - South Adelaide vs Sturt
Where: Flinders University Stadium
When: Friday, February 15 - 7:00pm (Eagles vs Glenelg - 5:30pm)
Entry: Free

SANFLW

In: 
Out: 
New:
Milestones: J.Kirk, T.Copley, S.Pratt, T.Charlton, B.Wedding, E. Gryczewski, N.Gibbs, S.Wright, I.Tahau, E.Johnson (debut); N.Campbell, A.Browne, T.Page (South Adelaide debut)

The South Adelaide Football Club continues to be a leader in providing an opportunity for women and girls to play elite level football in the southern region of South Australia.

Through our SANFL Women's team and underage sides, we actively work to encourage the growth and development of the sport.

In our first SANFLW season, our senior women's team took out the 2018 Premiership. This provided the opportunity for two of our players to be drafted to the AFLW, as well as our female coach.

Our U17 team continues to be dominant taking out its third Premiership in a row in 2018, with our U15 team also having a dominant series in not losing a game.

The club continues to play a significant role in developing the sport and is committed to connecting and integrating our players into community football, providing a complete football pathway, along with demonstrating behaviours and values as role models for young girls and women. 

South Adelaide continues to work with its neighbouring Leagues in the Southern Football League, Great Southern Football League and Kangaroo Island Football League to foster the growth and participation of female football.

We want to provide our athletes with the best equipment, the best facilities and an elite performance program of the highest standard.

In order to do this, we need your support.

By making a donation to the South Adelaide Female Pathways Program, you are giving women and girls in the southern region the opportunity to play football at the highest level, and in turn, inspire others to follow in their footsteps.

Please help us continue to grow and develop women's and girls football by making a tax deductible donation today.

Click here to donate

Dear members and supporters,

We are fast approaching the best part of any football preseason...the end!

No more time trials. No more crunching GPS data. No more extra conditioning after drills.

It is almost time to get stuck into the real deal with premiership points on the line.

In all seriousness, the players, coaches and staff involved in the senior women's program have been busting their guts since late October and it is rewarding to see Round 1 is just around the corner.

We have had two strong hit outs against the Eagles and North Adelaide, but nothing compares to the season proper.

What better way to kick off the year than on our home deck at the newly crowned Flinders University Stadium!

Last year we were the hunters. A new team working #StrongerTogether trying to prove we not only belonged in this competition, but that we were the best team in it!

We accomplished that goal and this year we take on the role as the hunted.

No doubt every team we face will be looking to bring their best against the reigning premiers.

This is an exciting new challenge for our group to face this season.

Our team has undergone some changes over the offseason. A new coach, new recruits and some departures as well.

The fact remains that we are all #SouthProud and honoured to have the chance to represent this great club again in 2019.

Join us this Friday (7pm, February 15) as we hold our final celebration of last season's success by unfurling the premiership flag before we tackle the new challenge that 2019 holds for us with the first bounce against Sturt.

There is also plenty on for the family, with an inflatable water slide castle, SANFL footy games, mascots and more in the family friendly zone, while it is also kids eat free night in the Jimmy Deane's Bistro.

If you haven't already, taking out a Panthers Women's Membership goes a long way to supporting our female football pathways.

As does making a tax deductible donation to our Australian Sports Foundation Female Pathway Program.

The support we received last season was overwhelming. We hope to have everyone behind us again this year.

I can't wait until Friday night - go Panthers!

Lauren Buchanan
Captain

Footy is almost back for our girls as they grind out the last few days of pre-season!

Jump on board and help support our girls with a Women's Membership!

South Adelaide duo Joel Cross and Matt Rose have been appointed co-captains to lead the Panthers in 2019.

Cross retains his leadership position, after skippering the side in 2018 alongside Keegan Brooksby, while Rose, who has previously served as vice-captain, steps up to joint captaincy.

The decision was made by senior coach Jarrad Wright and South Adelaide's key management, following peer voting by the Panthers playing group, and was announced to the players before training on Wednesday night.

Two-time Magarey Medallist Cross has played 156 games and kicked 113 goals for the Panthers, also boasting three Knuckey Cups amongst his lengthy list of career accolades.

Rose joined the Panthers from Port Adelaide Magpies in 2014 and has since played 85 games for the club (135 total SANFL games), earning selection in the SANFL state team in 2018.

Wright explained that following player voting there were two clear nominations for captaincy.

"From the votes it was pretty unanimous that we had two stand out candidates that the players rate highly to lead the club in 2019," said Wright.

"Crossy is following on from a terrific job last year leading the team to a finals position, which we weren't in the year before.

"Meanwhile, Rosey has done a four-year apprenticeship as a leader, been a vice captain and a pretty good servant of the football club.

"He gets his reward for his hard work over the past five years.

"Well done to both boys."

Cross declared he is proud to remain at the helm and help push the Panthers further into the finals.

"It is a great privilege to be able to lead the South Adelaide Football Club into 2019," said Cross.

"Last year we made great strides as a club, introducing a lot of talented young faces into the side and returning to the finals.

"I am looking forward to working alongside Rosey and our other leaders to help push us deeper into September and find that success we are all striving for."

Meanwhile, Rose said he is humbled by the chance to take his leadership to the next level and mentor the young talent coming through the ranks.

"It is a huge honour to captain a club with such rich history," said Rose.

"Going now into my sixth year I've had the opportunity to work and learn a lot from players and coaches to help me as both an individual player and also as a leader.

"I enjoy driving the standards of others both on and off the track and try to build strong relationships with all involved with the club.

"I am really excited about the leadership group we have this year and all the different traits that each individual will bring.

"With some of the players coming through and the experience we still have around the playing group I am really excited about what lies ahead this year."

Jake Summerton will serve as vice-captain, while Alex Cailotto, Anthony Biemans and Ben Heaslip round out this year's leadership group.

2019 South Adelaide Leadership Group

Captains
Joel Cross
Matt Rose

Vice Captain
Jake Summerton

Leadership Group
Alex Cailotto
Anthony Biemans
Ben Heaslip

Our Leadership Group is Locked in...Are You?

South Adelaide premiership skipper Lauren Buchanan is set to lead the Panthers again in 2019.

Buchanan, who co-captained South alongside the now departed Kristi Harvey in 2018, was a clear choice as a stand alone skipper this season following voting from her peers and the coaching group.

Senior coach Rick Watts said that Buchanan was a deserving choice to continue leading South Adelaide's women in his first season at the helm.

"Lauren is a natural leader who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our group, not only in her football, but how to conduct yourself as a professional sportsperson being a Bay Sheffield winner in 2014," said Watts.

"With Kristi moving to Melbourne, Lauren immediately stepped up and lead from the front right from our first session back in November.

"She has such a great nurturing approach to her leadership with our younger players and is a great role model who drives elite standards with her preparation, work ethic and willingness to learn and develop."

Elyse Haussen will serve as Buchanan's deputy, following a break out SANFLW season in the Panthers inaugural year that saw her named in the SANFLW Team of the Year.

Meanwhile, 2018 leadership group members Emily Woods and Stacey Huddleston will retain their posts, joined by Tonia Fielke, who has impressed on the track on her recovery from a torn ACL.

Haussen, Woods and Fielke all further developed their leadership qualities during the off season working with the Panthers premiership-winning Under-17 girls program as line coaches.

Meanwhile, Huddleston brings a wealth of knowledge to the playing group as a dual SANFLW premiership player.

2019 SAFCW Leadership Group

Captain
Lauren Buchanan

Vice Captain
Elyse Haussen

Leadership Group
Emily Woods
Stacey Huddleston
Tonia Fielke

South Adelaide can reveal that a pair of Panthers are bidding farewell to the club.

Cult hero Jake Veide and fan favourite Alex Aurrichio will no longer be donning the blue and white guernsey in 2019.

Veide had committed to returning to the Panthers in 2019 after spending a year away from SANFL football, but has struggled through injury during the early stages of preseason.

After determining his body would not allow him to play at the high standard he has set for himself in the SANFL, Jake has sadly decided to hang them up for good after 114 games with South between 2009 - 2017 and return to community football.

Big American Alex Aurrichio has also advised the club that he will continue his football journey elsewhere this season.

Alex played eight games for five goals over two seasons in Noarlunga and quickly established himself as a fan favourite with his physical play and trademark mullet.

South Adelaide would like to thank both Jake and Alex for their contribution to the club and wish them well in the next phase of their football careers.