Development League Match Report – Round 3 v South Adelaide

Round 3 saw our teams travel to Noarlunga to face South Adelaide and a win would see us establish ourselves near the top of the development table. We made nine changes this week, bringing in another four players for their first game of the season.

The first quarter saw South Adelaide imposing themselves strongly in the contest and in the air and restricted us from any clean ball movement. They scored the first goal and limited our opportunities forward until the last minute where we finally had a clean entry but unfortunately couldn’t convert. South led by 7 points at the first change. The second quarter was again a scrappy and physical affair but we finally converted with Charlie Scutchings kicking a much needed goal to take us into the main break only 3 points down.

Our defence was holding firm with Tiarna Harfield, Allani Dawes and Astrid Powell performing well. Annie Brearley, Saraid Kustermann and Scarlett Griffiths were working hard and Charlie Scutchings, Steph Walker and Nicole Hooper were looking dangerous up forward.

We needed to find a way to open the game up and use our speed and run to expose the opposition.

Our third quarter saw us play some exciting football and through Steph Walker and Charlie Scutchings we were able to score two goals and hold South scoreless for the quarter. We ended the quarter 11 points up and feeling like we were on top.

Unfortunately South came out with an increased intensity which we were unable to match and much like we did to North the week before, they kicked four goals in the last to overrun us and seal a strong win. It was a good lesson for the group showing at this level we need to maintain high intensity for four quarters and be able to absorb the increased pressure when an opposition lifts.

We will continue to learn from games like these as we have a week off, refresh and look to prepare for the clash in round 4 against Sturt.

Final scores: West– 3.5 – 23 defeated by South 5.6 – 36

Best players: Charlie Scutchings, Scarlett Griffiths, Annie Brearly, Saraid Kustermann, Nicole Hooper, Astrid Powell

Goal Kickers: Charlie Scutchings 2, Steph Walker 1