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SAFCW Match Report

West Adelaide vs South Adelaide
Round 3 - City Mazda Stadium - 01/03/19

Goals: Tahau 2, Goding, Munyard, Walker-Murphy, Charlton, Bennett
Best: Pratt, McKinnon, Cavouras, Gore, Charlton, Munyard 
Injuries: None

South Adelaide have put themselves back on the winner's list after knocking off West Adelaide at City Mazda Stadium on Friday night.

The Panthers rode a fast start and strong finish to their second win of the season, claiming a 7.6 (48) to 5.2 (32) win over the Bloods.

Both sides fought admirably hard in trying conditions, with the temperature still pushing the high 30s despite a delayed start due to the SANFL's heat policy.

Injury again effected South's preparations, as Norwood recruit Nicole Campbell and soccer convert Jess Kirk were late withdrawals from the side, opening the way for youngsters Caitlin Radbone and the Panthers first father-daughter product Emily Brockhurst to make their debuts.

The Panthers controlled possession for much of the game (223 disposals to 162) thanks to some heavy grunt work from Czenya Cavouras (game-high 29 touches, 10 tackles and nine clearances), Nikki Gore and Teah Charlton (19 touches a piece).

South also enjoyed the lion's share of time in their forward half, winning the inside 50 battle 30 to 19. However, they struggled to convert that dominance to scoreboard pressure at times.

Three unanswered goals to close the first quarter gave the Panthers a two goal margin at quarter time and a lead they would not relinquish for the remainder of the game.

The teams traded blows through the second and third and the competition's leading forward Chelsea Biddell would bring the hosts within two points at the fourth minute mark of the final term.

However, goals to Hannah Munyard and Indy Tahau midway through the last quarter would put the result beyond doubt.

Young defender Samantha Pratt (15 touches and five tackles) played an important role in a Panthers backline that repelled 13 of West's 19 forward 50 entries.

Meanwhile, Montana McKinnon (14 disposals, seven marks and 23 hit outs) continued to press her case amongst the best talls in the competition with another strong showing at the stoppages.

Speedy Munyard was also lively with her 13 touches and important final quarter goal. 

Following a tense opening few minutes, West broke through early as Biddell opened the scoring, coolly slotting a set shot after her side capiltalised on a turnover at the top of the 50.

South gave a quick reply through young forward Tahau, who muscled her way to the Panthers first goal following a slick chain of handballs minutes later.

After Madison Bennett converted a free kick from a high tackle and Mykala Walker-Murphy slotted her first of the season neatly on the run the margin was pushed to two goals at the first change.

Goals proved harder to come by in the second term, as the heat and pressure remained high.

Melanie Elsegood pulled one back for the Bloods as she stormed into the goal square, before Danielle Goding replied for South as the siren sounded for halftime, with a set shot from 30m out on a slight angle.

A skillful snap from Charlton cancelled out Zoe Venning's 39th second opener for West in the third quarter.

Goals to Emma Smith and Biddell, her second thanks to a storming run through the centre of the ground, either side of three quarter time sent some nerves through the Panthers camp as the visitor's lead was cut to two.

However, a silky side step and goal from Munyard and a contested mark and finish from Tahau at the top of the square would push the margin to three kicks and beyond reach deep into the final stanza.

The win pushes South into third on the premiership ladder and only a game back of equal first Glenelg and Norwood.

The SANFL Statewide Super League breaks for a bye this weekend, with South's next game set for 6:30pm, Friday, March 15 back home at Flinders University Stadium.

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