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Round 1

Panthers welcome Jack with first-up win
Review by Nick Hook

The Panthers christened Jack Cahill's 2008 season with a first-up win over southern rivals Glenelg on Sunday at Hickinbotham Oval. In a tight affair the Panthers desperation and attack at the ball seemed the difference, with Glenelg failing to take advantage of their opportunities thanks, in part, to the pressure that the South Adelaide players were able to apply.

Round one always sees desperation and passion and Sunday’s game was no exception, with the two sides arm wrestling for most of the game, with the margin never exceeding four goals throughout the match. Adelaide-listed James Sellar looked pre-game to be a problem match-up, with rookie James Turner lining up on him, but Turner erased his man from the game through disciplined spoiling and great run from defence. The tone of Sellar's day was set after marking strongly in the scoreboard pocket, 40m from goal, he passed off but kicked straight to a Panthers' player, allowing South to take the ball down the outer wing through Andrew Bachmann (back at the Panthers after playing with Christies Beach FC), who feigned and dodged his way around two Glenelg players before passing to Ben Warren for the goal from 30m on a slight angle.

Justin McConnell has been a thorn in the side of Panthers fans for a couple of seasons, always putting in a good game against South and he was able to atone for an earlier mistake that gifted the home side a scoring opportunity when he goaled from a free kick in marking contest late in the quarter. It seemed that whenever Glenelg were able to mount a charge at the home side McConnell was involved while when they fell away he faded out of the match, so much a barometer of the Glenelg side does he seem. 

The Panthers uncovered some hard running football, with the ball moving quickly by hand or foot, as  has been the Panthers’ style over the last few seasons, but now supported by powerful running in support of the ball carrier.  Something that was missing for the second half of the 2007 season was a hard-nosed attitude, with a fierce attack on the ball, but it is certainly back now, with players on every line running straight at the contest and taking backward steps. This sort of physical presence forced the Glenelg side into a number of mistakes, which were especially damaging in the Panthers' forward lines, with Warren and Iljcesen teaming well. Such pressure created several goals. 

While the Panthers’ "big name" players dominated the game, such as Ian Prendergast in the ruck, Mat Smith onball and Gerrard Bennett and Josh Thewlis across half-back, it was fantastically pleasing to see the number of young players stand up in such a pressure game, with Brad Hunter, Sam Elliott and James Turner playing crucial roles in the Panthers’ victory.  The dedication they displayed can be seen in their statistics, with Elliott having seven tackles individually along with his 23-disposals.

While it is only round one of the season Panther fans can have plenty to look forward to this year if their team continues to play the supportive, attacking and desperate football they displayed this round.  And they’ll need it, taking on Port Adelaide at Alberton this weekend.

Problems ahead for coach Slattery
Review by Nick Hook

In the reserves the Panthers were handed a football lesson by their Glenelg opponents in the rematch of last year’s reserves grand final.  While the side bore little resemblance to the team that represented the Panthers on the final day of the season a performance like the one presented on Sunday against the Tigers must be unacceptable if South Adelaide’s future is to be a rosy one.  The visitors were able to extend their lead at every break, running out eventual 82-point winners in a lopsided reserves season opener.  Unable to quell league centre-half forward Matthew Duldig (five goals), Lucas Block and Wade Ryan (four each) the Panthers could not find enough reliable sources to goal, with onballers Peter Rolfe and Dylan Williams the top scorers with two goals apiece.

On the plus side for South were the performances of young recruit Christian Schild in the ruck along with Chad Norsworthy (40 possessions) ably supported by youngster Tarak Redigolo in the centre  and the reliable Tom Caudle either when onball or in the forward lines.  Debutant coach Wayne Slattery’s return to his original club could most definitely run smoother and it will be up to him to turn the reserves side around and rebuild their confidence as they face the Magpies at Alberton in just a few days.

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Round 2

Panthers break Alberton drought in thriller
Review by Nick Hook

Heading to Alberton on the back of a 14-point victory in theirr opening game of the season was always going to be a tough ask - especially with the expected emotion of John Cahill coaching against the Magpies at Alberton for the first time.  Many pundits were writing their victory over Glenelg off as an anomaly, stating that this week the Panthers would be brought down to earth with a thud. Fortunately for Panthers fans, this year the team seems to be hell-bent on proving those pundits wrong.

With Craig Parry and Brett King still unavailable, debutant ruckman Leigh Ryan provided proof to match the coaches’ faith last week by performing strongly and was rewarded with selection again this week, while Tom Hateley and Chad Norsworthy (named in an extended league bench) played in the reserves.  

While they were first to score a goal for the match, South relied on its accuracy in front of goals to keep them in touch, with the home side having much of the play in the opening term but failing to convert it to scoreboard ascendancy.

After kicking the first of the second term the Panthers fell behind by three goals as the home side took advantage of some poor decisions by the Panthers in midfield, South choosing poor options or failing to execute properly, with goals to Corey Ah Chee, Ivan Maric and Daniel Hargraves (his only major for the day).  Despite causing themselves headaches with their poor decisions coming into the midfield the Panthers continued to stay within striking distance, closing on the scoreboard late in the quarter through goals to Andrew Bachmann, Leigh Ryan and two from full-forward Ben Warren (on his way to five for the day), leaving South just four points adrift at the main break and setting up a fantastic second half of football.

The close scores ensured the tension continued after the main break but it was the Panthers who struck hard, kicking two goals before Port could score, one to Brad Hunter that had to be seen to be believed - falling to ground at the edge of the goalsquare Hunter, a Panthers' junior grade and Reynella FC product, got his kick away while laying on the ground, his goal continuing the visitors' momentum from the second quarter. Port Adelaide-listed Nathan Krakouer showed his class all day, with 32 possessions (and surely must be selected for AFL duty, the Power sitting on 0-3 after losing Showdown XIV), but he didn't have it all his own way, Sam Elliott getting plenty of the ball himself and possibly being more damaging with his disposals.  For the Magpies recruit Josh Thurgood, spending time on the bench in the first half, was starting to have an impact across the half-forward line, goaling himself and setting two others up but when Josh Thewlis ran forward from defense to goal inside 30m the Panthers headed to the final break with a seven-point margin, 13.6 84 to 11.11 77.

James Boyd, having started slowly then spent time off the field after a heavy hit to the head, teamed with fellow rover Justin Wilson to push the Panthers’ lead to 13 points, with the Magpies kicking an inaccurate seven behinds early in the term, most of their misses coming inside 35m and 40° of goal.  Nathan Krakouer had the opportunity to bring the home side six points closer when he gathered the ball and ran the north-eastern boundary but Andrew Bachmann, having sprinted close to 100m, ran him down to win a holding the ball free kick, turning the momentum back in favour of the Panthers.  Kicking three late goals to the Panthers’ one Port brought the difference to less than a goal, Harry Miller marking a pass on the siren from Stephen Eichner.  Miller’s post-siren attempt fell short, leaving the Panthers celebrating a tense and entertaining win which takes them to 2-0 and sitting at the top of the SANFL ladder, a place few thought they would be in after two rounds, with Ben Warren (5 goals), James Turner (17 touches), Josh Thewlis (19) and Travis Baird (10 kicks, 9 handpasses, two goals and three tackles) among the best for South.

Improving Panthers’ reserves fall short
Review by Nick Hook

After being handed a football lesson last week by an experienced Glenelg side the South Adelaide reserves team needed to stand up and show that they have pride in their club and their jumper against the Port Adelaide at Alberton.  While not taking the points in their match against the Magpies they did show something to indicate that they are a side on the improve.

With Port Adelaide fielding a physically bigger side, especially in the forward lines, the Panthers struggled to match the home side for height, with a number of players still unavailable due to injury or rewarded with senior duties but it was pleasing to see the young South side battle fiercely at all contests.

Young players such as Matt Skrypek, Matthew Tonkin (three goals and still eligible for Under 19s) and Tarak Redigolo, a second-year Under 17s player, continued to show that, given time, they will develop into good senior footballers, Redigolo especially impressing with his hard at it, in and under style.  But it seemed that simple weight of possession told against the young Panthers, with Port Adelaide running out victors by 46-points, 17.15 117 to 10.11 71.

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Round 3

Goalscorers: Michael Handby 2, Jason Torney 2, Ben Warren 2, Andrew Bachmann 1, Leigh Ryan 1, Denis Iljcesen 1

Mentions: Ben Neagle, Marcus Burdett, Michael Handby
Third Best: Travis Baird
Second Best: James Turner
Best: James Boyd

Panthers get out of gaol – or did they?
Review by Nick Hook

Not many pundits would have been willing to put money on South being co-tenants at the top after three rounds of this year’s SANFL season.  But week after week the Panthers continue to demonstrate that this year’s crop is a different breed of cat to any from previous seasons.  A real “never say die” attitude is stiffening the resolve of the players and it is exciting league footy fans throughout the SANFL.

Coming into Saturday’s match unbeaten after victories over Glenelg and Port Adelaide the Panthers hosted a revamped West Adelaide – with new coach, a raft of new players and a somewhat unknown quantity about them, having had the bye in the first round.  How would they gel together, having brought so many players to the club in the off-season, how would the squad respond to new coach Andy Collins’ approach?  After a 33-point defeat by Norwood at Broadspectrum Oval these questions were still unanswered.  Yet it was the visitors who came to play early on Saturday at Alan Hickinbotham Oval, the Bloods kicking the first five goals to post a 31-point quarter-time lead.  South had its share of the ball but were unable to find a path to goal, with Ben Warren struggling to hold his grabs and former-Panther Damian Cupido providing immense run from the visitors defense.  Playing in the back half during the trial match between the two clubs Cupido’s influence was negligible but Saturday’s effort was masterly, Cupido clearly the best player on the ground.  His reading of the play and willingness to change the direction of the play was the catalyst for many of West Adelaide’s forward forays.  However after quarter time it would seem that he had few mates willing to come along for the ride.

Whatever coach Cahill had to say at quarter-time must have had an impact as the home side was quickly on the scoreboard, with their opening goal to skipper Jason Torney after Michael Handby intercepted the ball in midfield.  The Panthers were now winning forward possessions but were still not converting all of their chances, with two marks inside 50m resulting in behinds rather than goals.  Conversely, West kicked two straight within five minutes, through David Piasente and Aaron Fielke, to extend their quarter-time lead.  Ben Warren kicked his first of the day when he goaled from the north-eastern boundary, kicking truly on the run from 40m after marking on the flank.  With Warren’s goal the Panthers had just outscored the visitors, 3.4 to 2.2, for the term, leaving a 22-point margin in favour of the Bloods at half-time.

Cahill’s stern words at half-time certainly motivated the Panthers’ midfield, with the level of intensity rising but the Panthers still could not translate that onto the scoreboard, having the majority of the play but being turned back on a number of occasions by Cupido, who proved a revelation in defense with his reading of the play and wonderful disposal by foot.  His kicking especially stood out as, for the most part, neither side could say that they used the ball particularly well, wasting many opportunities through poor ball use than the opponent winning the ball.  With two goals to one in the third term the visitors still held an 18-point lead, 5.7 37 to 8.7 55, with a term to play, a lead which looked unassailable due to the way that the Panthers were butchering their opportunities.

Whatever South Adelaide coach said to his charges it seemed to flick the switch, with the Panthers suddenly finding targets more than in the previous three quarters, as showing a willingness to run for one another as well as holding their marks inside the forward 50m line.  A prime example of this was a pure Aussie Rules “specky” by Ben Warren, climbing to Ferguson’s shoulders unaided by a steadying hand on the shoulder, completing a memorable mark and gliding back to earth to kick his second of the day – Warren was up that high he was in danger of being an air hazard to low flying aircraft.  With Andrew Bachmann, Michael Handby and Leigh Ryan also holding marks inside attacking 50m and converting for full points the home side slammed on four goals to just one in the final term, erasing a three-goal deficit and take the lead by three points just as the quarter entered time-on.  Holding the Bloods at bay with strong quarters in defense, James Turner and, Josh Thewlis and Jason Torney  repelled attacks by West to ensure that the home side escaped with the two points for the win, 9.11 65 to a gallant West Adelaide’s 9.7 61.

Many spectators have said since that the Panthers “got out of gaol” with Saturday’s win, but did they really?  Holding a five-goal lead at quarter time the visitors should have been able to run out comfortable winners, either by extending their lead or at the very least keeping pace with the home side, something that they were unable to do for the rest of the game.  For the remainder of the game the Panthers outscored the Bloods by 9.9 (63) to a paltry 4.4 (28) – a fade out that must be as concerning to coach Andy Collins as the Panthers’ first quarter was for John Cahill.

Goalscorers: Chad Norsworthy 1, Tom Caudle 1, Brett King 1, Jacob Crate 1, Michael Leonard 1, Dale Ellis 1

Third Best: Dale Ellis
Second Best: Josh Sampson
Best: Brett King

Improving Panthers’ reserves fall short
Review by Nick Hook

South Adelaide’s reserves team are progressing slowly towards acceptable performance but still fell short on the weekend against West Adelaide to the tune of 25-points.

Proving that sometime enthusiasm can only partially replace skill the young Panthers “busted their guts” in the competition but were, in the end, beaten by a bigger, better side.  With Dale Ellis returning to the reserves to find form the Panthers had a target to aim for up forward, but only on occasion were they able to deliver in such a way that pressured the West Adelaide defense. 

With West’s more potent forward line it was the Panthers’ midfield that kept the contest tight, with Tarak Redigolo continuing to impress in just his sixth game at reserves’ level, along with Matthew Skrypek and Chad Norsworthy (one goal) feeding off giant ruckman Brett King, who returned from a work trip to Beijing late last week.  King proved to be the dominant big man on the ground but his efforts could not overhaul a West Adelaide side with the bit between their teeth, extending a five-point margin at three-quarter time to a 25-point win at the Panthers’ expense, 6.14 50 to 10.15 75.  Best for the home side were King, Josh Sampson in his first game for 2008 and Dale Ellis, with mentions to Redigolo, and Skrypek.

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Round 4

Goalscorers: Leigh Ryan 1, Andrew Bachmann 1, Ben Warren 1, Denis Iljcesen 1

Mentions: Not awarded
Third Best: Not awarded
Second Best: Not awarded
Best: Not awarded

Panthers unbeaten run ends against Double Blues
Review by Nick Hook

The Panthers’ unbeaten run this season came to a sudden halt on Saturday at the hands of a clinical and professional Double Blues outfit.  Headlining as match of the round, the two unbeaten sides would have been looking to stamp their authority on the competition but by day’s end it was the boys from Unley who were sitting atop the table without a loss.

With James Turner withdrawing from the selected team on the morning of the match South’s backline was unbalanced somewhat, lacking a tall defender to line up on Ken Farmer Medallist Brant Chambers, with coach John Cahill selecting to play 3-gamer Leigh Ryan on the bustling forward.  During the day Chambers had three different opponents, with Ryan, Dale Ellis and finally Gerrard Bennett spending time on the Double Blues’ spearhead.  An opening quarter onslaught with the aid of the breeze saw the visitors establish a match-winning break by quarter-time, with a 27-point margin at the first interval.

With Simon Feast jumping early to take away Craig Parry’s run-up, the Panthers struggled in the centre square but it was the clearances around the ground where the visitors really pressed their advantage, taking the ball straight down the centre corridor to give their leading forwards first look at the ball.  By contrast, the Panthers were made to play wide by the Sturt onballers and defenders, forcing them into turnovers and pressured disposals across the centre and half-forward line all day.  The home side seemed to lack the confidence it had displayed so far this season, as illustrated by the number of simple turnovers and players second-guessing themselves and their team mates.  One instance particularly glaring when sprinting down the outer wing the Panthers reached half-forward and stopped, looking across the ground for options rather than running goalwards – if the ball is to be turned over, surely it is better it happen at fullback rather than centre-half back.  Symptomatic of the pressure that Sturt applied all day the Panthers’ inexperience began to show under the initial scoring onslaught but, to their credit, they did not toss the game in but stuck at their task, the backline playing resolutely under the weight on incoming possessions.  The first three games have seen South Adelaide using the ball by foot twice as much as by hand, with two kicks for every handpass, but Sturt were able to hassle the Panthers at the contest and at the ball-carrier that South, under pressure, reverted to last year’s style of handball-heavy disposal, bringing their disposal ratio down to 1:1; this simply put the next disposal under more pressure and allowed visitors to turn possession over too many times.

At aftermatch presentations coach John Cahill refused to give best players and awards, impressing on both the playing group and supporters that efforts such as Saturday’s are not acceptable and accepted responsibility for the loss.  Cahill foreshadowed that changes would be made, with underperforming players to be sent down to the reserves to regain form and players in the B Grade who had shown the required desperation and willingness to run to be given an opportunity.  Despite this, better players on the day for the Panthers included Michael Handby, Ian Prendergast, Ben Neagle and James Boyd, with Mathew Smith battling manfully.

The senior playing group will need to regroup quickly as this Friday’s match against Norwood at Coopers Stadium presents a chance to redeem themselves as well as restore some lost pride and respect – from both themselves and from the rest of the competition.

Goalscorers: Ashley Baxter 3, Tom Hateley 2, Dylan Williams 1, Tarak Redigolo 1, Sam Joraslafsky 1, Peter Rolfe 1

Third Best: Not awarded
Second Best: Not awarded
Best: Not awarded

One step forward, two steps backwards
Review by Nick Hook

After an improved performance against West Adelaide in the reserves last week the Panthers would have headed into their match against Sturt with some confidence of a good performance but someone forgot to tell that to Sturt.  Facing the top-placed Double Blues outfit the young Panthers were always going to be up against it but came out breathing fire, playing some fluid and exciting football in the first quarter of an hour but that was the end of the competition.  Trailing 3.3 21 to 45.4 34 at the first break the Panthers were outclassed in the ensuing three quarters, with the visitors kicking 15 goals to 6 for the remainder of the game.

With Dale Ellis elevated to the league side to replace James Turner on the morning of the game the home side’s forward structure was unsettled and they struggled to find a consistent forward target for the game.  Better players for the Panthers included Tarak Redigolo, Chad Norsworthy and Brett King, with Ashley Baxter and Jacob Crate giving their all.

Friday’s match against the third-ranked Redlegs looms as an important game for the young Panthers’ side looking to regain some confidence and respect.

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Round 5

Goalscorers: Andy Otten 4, Ben Warren 3, Dylan Williams 1, Andrew Bachmann 1, Jason Torney 1, Dale Ellis 1

Mentions: Andy Otten, Travis Baird, Mitch Sandery
Third Best: Craig Parry
Second Best: Josh Thewlis
Best: James Boyd

Not quite a loss but not quite a win
Review by Nick Hook

After last week’s dismal performance at home, the Panthers were determined to show the rest of the competition and, more importantly, their supporters that it was an unacceptable result and Friday night’s game against Norwood at Coopers’ Stadium provided their first opportunity.

The traditional ANZAC Day night fixture away to Norwood has become a feature of South supporters’ calendars and it was pleasing to see so many blue and white supporters at the game to get behind both the league and reserves sides.  The minute’s silence at the matches are always somewhat eerie, with so many people all standing quietly, silently paying their respects to those who have fought to protect our freedom and way of life, many of them paying the ultimate price, so it is bitterly disappointing when one disrespectful fool can’t stay quiet for 60 seconds, as was the case Friday night.  Thankfully the rest of the crowd showed due respect and remained silent on this important day on the Australian calendar and were treated to a tight, tense match as a reward.

It was the Panthers who jumped out of the gate in the first term, their pressure and physicality unsettling the hosts, Norwood making basic errors under excellent pressure from the Panthers.  While players all across the ground were harassing their opponents and winning possession it was another story going when forward, where they failed to find a marking target, due to both the Norwood defenders and to their own poor delivery.  To head into the first break after controlling the term so completely and lead by just two points was disappointing, the Redlegs kicking two late majors to keep them in touch at quarter-time.

With the momentum firmly in the Panthers’ direction it came as a surprise in the second quarter that it was Norwood who controlled the play, punishing the visitors on the scoreboard, as South had failed to do in the opening term.  Kicking an unanswered nine goals in the second and early third terms the home side looked to have taken an unassailable lead in the game, finding targets across the ground and, importantly, hitting leads when kicking inside their forward 50m arc.  The Redlegs’ case for victory only strengthened when South Adelaide captain Jason Torney, a major player in the visitors’ dominance in the opening quarter, limped off with an injury just before time-on.  His absence in the second term seemed to be the impetus that the home side needed to get their game going and they were as precise in the second and early third quarters of the game as they were imprecise in the first.  Heading into half-time it seemed to be going from bad to worse for South, with an injured Travis Baird coming from the ground and going straight to the change rooms.

Whatever senior coach John Cahill said, it certainly didn’t take long to deliver, as the Panthers returned to the grassy expanses of Coopers Stadium after barely fifteen minutes – the minimum break allowed – to prepare for the second half.  Once underway the second half saw Norwood kick the first three goals to stretch their lead into a seemingly match winning 42-point margin, but the Panthers were beginning to show signs of returning to the style played in the first term, with late goals they closed to just 19 points at the last change, with many supporters wondering if they would be close enough to launch a final quarter comeback as in previous weeks.

Opening the final quarter in blistering style the Panthers created half a dozen scoring opportunities within the first five minutes but were unable to register full points with any of them, kicking five behinds as well as one shot at goal landing out on the full.  The home ground advantage of the Redlegs seemed to be evaporating on the spot, with the Panthers running powerfully from defense and entering their forward 50m on several occasions without a Redleg touching the ball.  Scoring three last quarter goals to three behinds to Norwood South had erased the gap when Dylan Williams booted his first goal of the match with just ten seconds on the clock but it seemed that the Panthers weren’t done with yet, the ball being launched forward towards Michael Handby inside the 50m arc when the siren sounded, a second or two before he marked.

Listening to football supporters after the game is always an education in human psychology, with both groups decrying lost opportunities and what they feel was biased umpiring, but from a dispassionate point of view perhaps neither side deserved to win – Norwood for giving up their 42-point lead partway through the third quarter, South for allowing themselves to fall behind so badly despite their almost total ascendancy in the opening term.  The one undeniable fact to emerge from the game is that the 2008 version of the Panther seems to contain a grain of self-belief, missing from previous editions, and that as a team they seem to truly play for one another, their coach and their club.  What must now happen is for the coaching panel to work on erasing the lapses from the Panthers’ game, as the SANFL is proving so even this year that no team can be taken lightly or any win assumed.  What is sure, however, is that following the Panthers is not for the fainthearted!

Goalscorers: Denis Iljcesen 4, Ashley Baxter 2, Tom Hateley 1, Jacob Crate 1, Tom Caudle 1, Peter Rolfe 1, Dene McKinlay 1, Brad Hunter 1

Mentions: Curtis Perrey, Tom Caudle, Denis Iljcesen, Dene McKinlay
Third Best: Alex Splitt
Second Best: Brad Crabb
Best: Brett King

Panther cubs on the improve
Review by Nick Hook

While it may sound obvious and somewhat cliché, Friday night’s reserves match against Norwood was truly a game of two halves.  The first half of the encounter saw the young Panthers produce their best quarter of football for the year as well as their best half, despite a brief lapse during the second term.  The second, however, highlighted the inconsistencies and learning curve that young players experience, with the home side steadying to kick away for an 11-point victory.

The first half saw the Panthers playing with more surety than at any stage this season, their ball use and intensity impressing many supporters and concerning the faithful on the Parade.  Great service was provided by Brett King in the ruck and Redigolo out (illness) young Curtis Perrey moved into the midfield with Peter Rolfe to generate much run and a number of opportunities.  Denis Iljcesen, omitted from the league side this week, was providing a strong target on the full-forward line, marking strongly and applying great pressure to the Redlegs’ defense.  Brad Crabb also returned to the line-up, after suffering an injury in the trial match against Port Adelaide, and the Kangaroo Island product showed that he has lost none of his desperation or team focus during his enforced layoff.

Norwood were able to turn a 4-goal deficit at half-time into an 11-point win by adjusting their game style at the main break and making use of players such as Robbie DeJongh, Schoenmakers up forward and the experienced Bartemucci in the middle.  While disappointed to fall after playing so well in the first half Panther supporters have plenty of reason to expect a victory in the coming weeks from the reserves as they begin to play mature, exciting football – the challenge for them, as for the league, is to do it consistently.

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Goalscorers: Dale Ellis 3, James Boyd 2, Ben Warren 1, Chad Norsworthy 1, Dylan Williams 1

Mentions: Ian Prendergast, Craig Parry
Third Best: Josh Thewlis
Second Best: Dale Ellis
Best: James Boyd

North win the Civil War all over again
Review by Nick Hook

Outclassed and outplayed; just three words that can cover last weekend’s match against North Adelaide at Prospect.

Andy Otten was unavailable for selection for the Panthers due to instruction from the Adelaide Football Club; while Otten is an Adelaide player, it makes little sense to pull him out of his SANFL club but then not play him, especially in view of the fact that we have the bye this week, so Andy won’t play, potentially, for three weeks.  Is this just another example of South Australia’s AFL clubs treating the SANFL with contempt, or are they protecting their asset?  With Otten missing the Panthers would need to find another strong performance in the midfield and a couple of goals, as Otten averages, to cover his absence.  By contrast, Port Adelaide was reputed to be considering calling up Nathan Lonie to cover the injured Chad Cornes, but he took his place in the North Adelaide team, as did Damon White up forward.

The first quarter saw the pattern of the match established early, with the Roosters running hard from defense to send the ball long and direct, Damon White proving a difficult match up early on.  At the other end of the ground the Panthers were struggling to find a forward marking target, with Ben Warren being manned up by two defenders at every contest but they were unable to find the loose man.  With South still a tall defender short, with Tom Hateley returning from a calf injury through the reserves, Travis Baird was left to stand Roosters’ centre-half forward Clint Alleway.  While trying hard all day Baird was simply too small control Alleway and also unable to play his normal rebounding game on a flank.  It was Damon White, however, who was creating the biggest headache for the Panthers, scoring two goals in the opening term and looking in ominous form.

For the Panthers, it was the inexperienced players who were standing up, with James Boyd putting in another best on ground performance with 27 touches, Sam Elliott gathering 21 possessions, while senior player Michael Handby continued his strong season (24) while Craig Parry won the hitouts (20) and 10 possessions.  Up forward Dale Ellis, in his best outing so far this season, was the Panthers’ only dangerous focal point, finishing the game with 3.3, while Ben Warren, blanketed by double-teaming and terrible delivery, ended the game with one goal.  As an indication of how much South struggled in attack after Ellis the next highest scorer was James Boyd (two) and then Chad Norsworthy and Dylan Williams with one goal, all playing in the midfield.

The bye has come at a good time for a battered Panthers outfit, having suffered to major losses in their last three games and having been on the knife’s edge for almost three months.  The week off will give the sore bodies time to recuperate and the coaches time to analyse what’s going wrong.  But will it be long enough?

Goalscorers: Denis Iljcesen 6, Brad Hunter 2, Ashley Baxter 2, Dene McKinlay 1, Leigh Ryan 1, Luke Denton 1

Mentions: Adam Broadbent, Michael Leonard, Leigh Ryan
Third Best: Tom Caudle
Second Best: Denis Iljcesen
Best: Justin Wilson

South reserves close to first win
Review by Nick Hook

The South Adelaide reserves side has shown over the last two weeks that their first win is surely just around the corner.  After hitting the front in the final quarter only to go down to Norwood last week the Panthers took the game right up to the second-ranked Roosters all day only to be pipped at the post.  The young side is starting to show some belief in its abilities and confidence in each other that will surely soon translate into its first victory of the season, perhaps the bye coming at an inopportune time for the reserves.

Scores were tied at quarter-time, the Panthers trailed by 15 points at the main break but recovered to hold a slender 2-point lead at the final change only to fall short by just nine points, 13.6 84 to 13.15 93.  While playing good, direct football for much of the game, the Panthers at times let themselves down in defense by not marking loose players, allowing them easy disposals under no pressure.  Their third term saw much better discipline and team play, working harder to create run as well as cleaner disposals, leading to an improvement on the scoreboard.  Unfortunately the young Panthers side had gotten themselves into a winning position in the final term but their defenders stopped playing from in front, allowing North to hit their targets and once they started kicking accurately were able to pull away for a narrow win.

Better players for the Panthers were Denis Iljcesen, pressing his claim for a return to the league side with six goals (10 in the last two weeks), Tom Caudle, Tarak Redigolo and Jacob Crate.

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Round 8

Goalscorers: Ben Warren 4, Michael Handby 1

Mentions:
Third Best: Michael Handby
Second Best: Ben Warren
Best: Sam Elliott

South slide in the wet
Review by Nick Hook

With the week’s rest due to the bye Panther fans were looking to see a rejuvenated and refreshed South Adelaide side hit the ground running against southern rivals Glenelg and for the first quarter that is what they got.  The problem is that football is a game of four quarters, not just one.

Kicking into a strong wind, worth anywhere up to eight goals, the Panthers struck early through spearhead Ben Warren, kicking two majors in the opening five minutes of the game, keeping the visitors on their toes.  Michael Handby chimed in with a goal as well leaving the home side trailing by only 19 points at the first break, 3.1 19 to 6.2 38, a respectable effort into such a strong breeze.  Unfortunately for the home team’s supporters that was pretty much the end of anything positive for the day, with the Panthers providing little more than token resistance to a rampant Glenelg outfit intent on reversing their round one loss.

With the aid of the strong breeze it is fair to say that everyone at the ground expected that the Panthers would make a move in the second quarter, taking advantage wind, however it was the Bays who made the running, kicking two goals one against it to South’s disappointing four behinds with it.  It was not that Glenelg had possession for the entire quarter as South made a number of forward forays, however the disposal, decision-making and intensity was well below expectation, gifting the ball to the visitors on many occasions.  With full-forward Warren being closely marked by Sam Rudolph and Tigers’ captain Ben Mules dropping back to double-team him on occasion the Panthers persisted in chipping the ball around and moving more sideways than forward despite having the use of the breeze.  As in the previous three weeks South seem unable to find an open target in the forward 50m area, despite Warren being double-teamed and this restricted their avenues to score, with Warren and Handby being the only scorers for the home team.

If things were bad in the second term they were diabolical in the third, with the visitors kicking 4.5 with the wind while the Panthers were unable to trouble the scorers for the quarter at all.  That’s right, no score at all, not even a behind.  With the Glenelg defence working like a well-drilled team, running and supporting one another to move the ball from defense and create opportunities the Panthers were simply outworked and outclassed, with the midfield being one area of particular dominance for the Tigers.  Despite having the dominant ruck combination on the ground South were comprehensively beaten around the stoppages, either from dead ball situations or in play, with the likes of Ty Allen (23), Ben Kane (24) and Adam Fisher (25) racking up 72 possessions between them from a 28-22 ruck disadvantage.  In contrast the Panthers’ entire midfield could only raise 117 between 11 players. 

Keeping the players in the post-match address for some time after the conclusion of the match senior coach John Cahill has left absolutely no doubt as to how acceptable this kind of performance was.  Stating afterwards that the team aimed deliver competitive football this season, but over the last month or so it has failed to deliver that.  All football clubs thrive on pressure from the lower grades placing competition for spots on the league side but with the exodus of players at the end of the 2007 season the club is looking somewhat thin for players to push up.  While Ashley Baxter, Tom Caudle, Sam Joraslafsky, Peter Rolfe and Tarak Redigolo continue to put consistent performances together for diverse the chance is there to make a bold change and shake the senior team up with omissions of under-performing "name" players – but will this happen?

Despite the good start to the year with three wins the losses have been extremely heavy and it must be asked exactly what has changed from previous years – when the losses come, they are big losses, and that the players seemingly weren’t following the coach’s instructions, insisting on chipping the ball around instead of sure, quick movement.  Perhaps it is time for some young players who are desperate to represent the club at the highest level?

It was a disappointing day all around with the minute’s silence for the late Sam Davis poorly handled by the club.  Rather than waiting for the players of both grades to assemble at the edges of the centre square it was announced early in the league warm up, leaving a disappointed and disrespectful air.  Fortunately the junior grade game at the Bay paid their respects in a proper manner.  Perhaps on the field isn’t the only place that communication could be improved.

Goalscorers:

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Best:

Young cubs fall backwards
Review by Nick Hook

The Panthers’ reserves have been on an upward climb since the start of the season, with the results getting closer and closer to seeing them crack their first win – except somebody forgot to tell the Tigers.

In slippery conditions underfoot, despite the rain holding off during the match, the reserves struggled to find a winning formula against their round eight opponents who, in turn, seemed to have few skill problems.  Poor disposal into the forward lines certainly did not assist the home side, which was magnified by the Tigers’ accuracy all across the ground.  In a disappointing performance for the reserves, who were so keen to post their first win of the season, there were few standouts and they, unfortunately, were the usual suspects – Tom Caudle and Sam Joraslafsky providing drive and strength over the ball, Redigolo and Rolfe in the midfield and young Ashley Baxter up forward, trying to ignite his team mates with his enthusiasm and talk, seemingly for little result.

The young Panthers have a chance for redemption this weekend against West Adelaide and reverse their narrow 4-goal loss earlier this season.  If the talk and confidence in each other and their game plan can return the Panthers stand every chance of getting their first “W.”

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Round 9

Goalscorers: Ben Warren 6, Dale Ellis 1, James Turner 1

Mentions: Michael Handby, Josh Thewlis
Third Best: Andy Otten
Second Best: James Boyd
Best: Ben Warren

Panthers continue to frustrate fans
Review by Nick Hook

Can there be a more frustrating team for follow in Australian football?  If there is, I’d hate to see them.  The Panthers continued to tease their supporters with their fluctuating form by playing contrasting styles within the one half of football, let alone one game.

After a poor month of football, including three heavy defeats, the Panthers came out firing in the first quarter against the winless Bloods at Broadspectrum Oval on Saturday, looking polished, slick and easily the better side.  The onball and midfield players were winning the clearances regularly and the delivery into the forward 50m arc showed that the Panthers can use the ball with precision – despite the evidence of the previous four matches – to give their forwards first look at the ball.  Ben Warren feasted on the weight of possession, showing former South Adelaide player Damian Cupido a clean pair of heels in several contests.  Such was the Panthers’ dominance in the opening fifteen minutes that Cupido was moved away from Warren after having three goals kicked on him.  Heading into the first break in play the visitors led 6.2 38 to West’s 1.4 10, a solid 28-point margin.

The Panthers, kicking against the breeze in the second term, controlled play for much of the first ten minutes but could only register a single behind, while West took full advantage of their rare forays forward to score full points, including James Ezard goal unmarked in the goal square.  While coaches often say that they would rather see players crash into one another than not go for the ball, at league level they must expect better than this yet this is how the home side scored their second major of the term, with Jason Torney colliding with Mathew Smith in midair, leaving their Bloods’ opponents unmarked on the ground to gather the ball and run forward to score.  How many times have I heard coaches demand that that someone must stay down at a marking contest?  Not enough times it seems.  Midway through the second term Panthers’ coach John Cahill shifted Gerrard Bennett away from centre-half back on Power-listed Ryan Willits, switching him with Ian Prendergast (who had been switching between the forward lines and runs on the ball) but all that resulted was Willits being able to get into the game, leading Prendergast to the ball on a number of occasions and provide a viable target for the home side - by the time that Cahill moved Bennett back to defense to quell the Power big man the damage had been done.  With Willits finishing with two goals four behinds indeed the damage could well have been worse.  After holding a 28-point lead at quarter-time the visitors led by just 10 points and were now back in a dogfight for the match points.

Delivery into the forward lines dried up through the second and third terms, with Warren proving to be our primary avenue to goal the Bloods followed the example set by other opponents by double-teaming the Panthers’ spearhead, yet South continued to look for him on almost every occasion.  The confidence that the Panthers’ players had shown in the first term had seemingly deserted them, now appearing to second-guess themselves and their team mates and not take the chances that they had grabbed with both hands early in the match.  This was highlighted when two South defenders looked to each other to mark the ball, with neither committing to the contest, allowing the ball to bounce and be gathered by a desperate Bloods’ forward who handpassed to Willits for the easiest of goals from the square.  With Prendergast struggling on Willits and the Bloods’ small forwards creating opportunities where none should have existed the Panthers were looking in desperate trouble as they went into the last break now trailing by 10 points, 6.8 44 to 7.12 54, a 20-point reversal.

One of the few highlights for the day was the debut of young Panther wingman Peter Rolfe; recruited from Darwin in 2007, Rolfe’s consistent form in the reserves this season has demanded elevation to the senior side and his hunger and pace were a hallmark of his first game, with smothers, dashing runs and a spectacular high spoil a feature.  Ben Warren was clearly the dominant forward on the ground all day, having two or three different opponents on his way to kicking 6.0, yet South were unable to find a supporting scorer, Warren kicking 6 out of the total of 8 goals.  Dale Ellis began to find his touch by hand, pulling down several strong marks in the final quarter but, unusually, the big Panther centre-half forward was wayward in his kicking, registering two behinds and a no score from set shots in that term.  What was just as worrying was the way that the Bloods were able to get their goals, with a lack of defensive pressure from the Panthers; for instance, two of the final three goals that West scored were from stoppages where the Panthers did not have anyone on the defensive side of the contest, allowing the ball to bounce through for a goal from a forward pocket throw in and another from a stoppage deep inside defensive 50m.  Allowing scoring opportunities without any pressure at all will not win too many games of football.

At his three-quarter time address coach John Cahill reminded his players that a 10-point margin is easily erased, especially if the Panthers could play the style of football they had displayed in the first term.  Looking his charges in the face he told them that they were still in the match, urging them to have faith in themselves, but not seeing the passion reflected back he added, “I don’t think some of you blokes believe that.”  A curiously self-fulfilling prophecy as it turned out.

Goalscorers:

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Best:

Young Panthers break through for first win
Review by Nick Hook

It’s been a long time coming for the young Panthers’ reserves but you wouldn’t have known that they had just won their first match of the year by looking at their reactions on Saturday.  Was this relief or just meeting their own expectations?  For several weeks South Adelaide’s reserves have been edging closer and closer to their maiden victory of the season and on Saturday they managed to first out-play and then out-last West Adelaide to record their first win.

Kicking off the match in fine style the Panthers held a 17-point lead at quarter time despite kicking against the wind, a 37-point lead at half time, 36-point lead at the final break and held on for a hard-fought win by 27 points, 17.12 124 to 15.7 97.  With Tom Hateley and Brett King elevated to the league side, Chad Norsworthy and Justin Wilson returned to the reserves and found plenty of the ball to press for their recall to the senior team.  Tarak Redigolo continued to prove his worth, especially in traffic around the stoppages, so much so that he reminds many Panther supporters of Sam Elliott with his ability to evade and break tackles.  Reserves’ captain Tom Caudle was his tough and reliable self either as a forward or when having a run in the midfield, and was ably supported by Sam Joraslafsky, Brad Crabb and the ever-enthusiastic Ashley Baxter.  While it is fantastic for the lads to score their first win of the season, what is just as pleasing is that it is in a side almost totally consisting of either South Adelaide juniors or SFL and GSFL players – Baxter, Joraslafsky, Dean, Hunter, Ryan, Crate, Splitt, Would, Barnes, Skrypek to name a few.  These could be the basis of a Panthers club for the future – but enough of that, now they must focus on fifth-placed Central District at Hamra Homes Oval in two weeks’ time if Saturday’s victory is to have any meaning for their season.

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Round 10

A modest yet promising start
Review by Nick Hook

After a fortnight of turmoil at the South Adelaide Football Club that saw senior coach John Cahill resign and the eventual appointment of club stalwart Clay Sampson to the position the Panthers could not manage to register a first-up win for their new coach but showed signs that should encourage the blue and white faithful.

After losing to West Adelaide by 22 points on the Saturday, Tuesday saw John Cahill announce to the playing group and board that he was resigning as senior coach and Thursday the announcement of Sampson as the new coach, signed until the end of the 2009 season.  In a frustrating fortnight for members and supporters there is still no indication from either the club or from Cahill as to what instigated his decision and the rumour, gossip and misinformation currently doing the rounds could surely be no more damaging than an uncomfortable truth.  It was into this baptism of fire that long-time Panthers’ favourite son Sampson willingly stepped, taking on the premiers on their own deck, many seeing a long afternoon ahead but Sampson himself remained realistic yet quietly confident.  Prior to the match the Panthers’ new guru insisted that it was the basics that would see them match it with the Bulldogs and it was these issues that he was looking for improvement in – remain competitive at each contest and the game stays in the balance, fall away and the game will slip from your grasp.

It was certainly a more committed Panthers’ outfit that controlled the first fifteen minutes of the game, bustling the home side away from the ball and pressuring their disposals.  Ben Warren looked set for a day out, kicking consecutive majors in this time before the home side could settle into the game.  The Bulldogs were quickly back in the game and took a slender 6-point margin into the first break.  The improved attitude continued in the second term, with South working hard for one another and doing the “team things” that all supporters and coaches love to see.  With the Bulldogs a little steadier under pressure they were able to extend their quarter-time margin to 16 points but the game was well and truly in the balance.

After the restart it was the home side who applied greater pressure in the centre and around the ground at stoppages, starting to win more of the clearances and giving their team mates downfield first look at the ball with quality disposal, something that dried up a little for South.  Breaking the game open with a seven to four goal quarter the home side showed their class and coolness under pressure, as would be expected from a finals- and premiership-hardened outfit such as the Bulldogs.  To be honest that was the difference between the two sides – when the pressure was applied in the third quarter South could not respond as well as Central, they just weren’t as used to it.  Turning at the last break 36 points down it was pleasing to see the way that the Panthers fought the game out, outscoring the Bulldogs in the final term and showing a resolve and attitude that had been missing for the last month. 

First gamer Tarak Redigolo (two goals) showed that he has plenty of talent and guts when he had a run on the ball and Ash Baxter, while in limited minutes, proved a contest against the much larger and more experienced McKenzie while Craig Parry took a breather.  Baxter’s main weapons are his passion, desperation and enthusiasm, illustrated best when he chased three different opponents in the one passage of play and putting enough pressure on to affect the last disposal.  Second-game player Peter Rolfe certainly enjoyed the wide expanses of Hamra Homes Oval, using his speed to great effect and scoring three goals from his wing in a best on ground performance for South.  Other players to contribute strongly were the reliable Michael Handby (17 kicks and 16 handpasses), Josh Thewlis (17 and 4), James Boyd (10 and 12) and the Crows’-listed Andy Otten, doing his chances of a call-up no harm with 24 possessions.

Post-match new coach Clay Sampson said that while he was very disappointed with the result he was, at least, pleased with the endeavour that his charges had shown.  Also to his liking was the pressure cooker environment of the coaching box, stating, “I enjoyed the experience and am sure we’ll get better and improve with more games.”  Following South’s intent to promote from within their development zones, Steve Wallace has joined Sampson in the box as an assistant coach.

This week the Panthers return to Hickinbotham Oval to host Woodville-West Torrens, another team struggling for consistency, in what will surely be a tightly fought contest with new coach Clay Sampson searching for his maiden victory.

Goalscorers: Ben Warren 4, Peter Rolfe 3, Tarak Redigolo 2, Josh Thewlis 2, Brad Hunter 1, Craig Parry 1

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Best:

Too many gaps to fill
Review by Nick Hook

After securing their first victory of the season last week the Panthers’ reserves headed out to Elizabeth to match up against the fourth-placed Bulldogs with confidence running high.  However with a number of changes in the league side due to injury and form it was an unsettled side that took the field, with three players from last week’s winning team elevated to the league side and a number of players in just their second or third game of senior football, such as the tiny but tenacious Matt Rosier, Tony Carlile (Alipate’s brother), Rigby Barnes and Curtis Perrey.

Going into the first break trailing by six points, an inaccurate 2.6 to 4.0, and more pain was yet to come with the home side slamming on 7 goals to 3 with the breeze to take a commanding 30-point buffer at half-time.  Young players such as Rosier, Barnes and Tom Carroll certainly impressed with their desperation and effort and look to be good players in the making but in spite of their efforts the ‘Dogs continued to pull away, extending their lead to 32 points and the last break and then to a 54-point final margin, 12.11 83 to 21.11 137.

With such a young, inexperienced side on the park it was good to see some of the more experienced players, such as Tom Caudle, Chad Norsworthy and Mitch Sandery, leading by example, Caudle especially in everything in the opening term.  Taking Crabb, Redigolo and Baxter out of the side certainly unbalanced the Panthers, despite the inclusions of Bachmann, Sandery and King, but it was pleasing to see the junior players begin to believe that they can play senior football and give indicate that they will be a part of the next generation of Panthers.

Goalscorers: Rigby Barnes 2, Tom Carroll 2, James Turner 1, Tony Carlile 1, Matthew Tonkin 1, Michael Leonard 1

Mentions: Alex Splitt, Matthew Skrypek, Tom Carroll
Third Best: James Turner
Second Best: Ash Weckert
Best: Matthew Rosier

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Round 11

League