Eagles Into Maiden SANFLW Grand Final

The Woodville West Torrens Football Club is heading to its maiden Hostplus SANFLW League Grand Final after defeating South Adelaide by one-point at Maughan Thiem Kia Oval.

It was Klaudia O’Neill who proved to be the hero for the Eagles, taking a strong mark late in the final term before going back and calmly kicking the goal that would send her side into the grand final.

The Eagles got off to a flying start at home with back-to-back goals from Amie Blanden and Rosette Zerella, the home side picking up where it left off last week.

In an evenly-contested first quarter across the ground, it was the Eagles who took a handy 13-point lead into the first break.

South got itself on the board in the second quarter as forward Lucy Northcott broke through for the Panthers, but it was not long before the Eagles responded via Brianna Walling.

Panthers young-gun Emma Charlton got one on the board, as the visitors slowly chipped away at the deficit and headed into half-time five points down.

It was a defensive third term for both teams struggling to find the goals, but Charlton broke through late in the quarter for her second and it was all tied up a three-quarter-time, with the first grand final spot on the line for both teams.

A couple of missed shots on goals proved handy for the Eagles in the fourth term, however South forward Emily Brockhurst slotted one to give the Panthers their first lead of the day and it seemed like a sixth grand final appearance for the reigning premiers was imminent.

Enter O’Neill.

The Eagles forward has proved clutch on many occasions this year, including a four-goal haul last week that allowed her side to claim its first Hostplus SANFLW League minor premiership.

O’Neill got on the end of perfect kick from Olivia Evans, taking a game-defining mark and calmly going back to kick the match-winner to send her side into its first grand final appearance since joining the league in 2019.

A multitude of Eagles stood up when it mattered the most, including Zahlia Niemann who tallied 20 disposals to go along with six marks, four tackles and seven rebound 50s.

Leah Cutting had a field day against the Panthers – who were missing their two rucks in Soriah Moon and Taya Maxwell – recording 41 hit outs and four clearances and was well supported by Julia Faulkner (10 tackles), captain Annie Falkenberg (15 disposals, four tackles) and Alice Tentye (13 disposals, 10 tackles).

Charlton (25 disposals, 10 tackles, six clearances, two goals, seven inside 50s) was a standout for the Panthers, who will now play Sturt in a Preliminary Final this Sunday and will hope to regain Moon and Maxwell for their do-or-die clash.

Caitlin Couch (10 disposals, seven tackles, five marks), Lauren Clifton (15 disposals, six marks, four tackles) and Tamika May (13 disposals, five marks, five clearances) were all excellent for South in a tough loss.

The Eagles will now get the week off as it prepares for its first Hostplus SANFLW Grand Final appearance, whilst South Adelaide will host Sturt in the Preliminary Final this Sunday at Magain Stadium from 12pm.