Coaches Report SANFLW Round 3

West Adelaide 5.2 (32) Def by South Adelaide 7.6 (48)

This week we faced last years reigning premiers who were coming off a loss the previous week. Knowing this, we prepared ourselves for a hard physical contest in hot conditions against a well structured and drilled opponent.

The first half saw goals to Chelsea Biddell and Mel Elsegood, however, overall we were well beaten in contested and first possessions inside the contest and on the outside of the contest with the speed of our opponents. A pleasing sign was the playing group continued to persevere and our efficiency with the ball kept us in the game. A suspected ACL injury to Lana Lowery was a down point in the 2nd quarter.

At half time, after losing Lowery, we were also limited with Alice Gee being ruled out of the game and Emily Hingston having to undergo a fitness test, leaving us with one rotation for the majority of the quarter. The coaches asked for the team to show commitment and resilience in the face of some adversity. To the absolute credit of all players they responded well having our best quarter for the game. Our tackle pressure increased, led by some great chases and tackles from Gretel Ramsey and Mary Smith. We outscored our opponents for the quarter with goals to Zoe Venning and a good snap from Emma Smith.

In the last quarter we were able to score first through some great team work from Emma Smith to run in support and block an opponent allowing Biddell to goal with some individual brilliance. This brought us within 2 points, however the toll of the effort required in the hot conditions saw our opponents score a couple of late goals to extend the final result.

Despite the loss the overall effort provided by the team, particularly after half time when undermanned, was sound. We will learn a lot from the game about professionalism, concentration and the physical nature required to play at this level. Most of all we will learn that to beat the best teams you have to take it from them, they are not going to give it up for you.

Best Players:

A. Ballard, E. Smith, M. Martino, B. Stuoppos, T. Hoffmann, G. Ramsey