BETTA Team Selection: Reserves Grand Final v Glenelg

After enjoying a week off following their Second Semi Final victory, the Panthers will once again face Glenelg on Sunday morning, this time with the 2026 SANFL Reserves premiership up for grabs.

South Adelaide booked its place in the Grand Final with an impressive 27-point win over the Tigers at Stratarama Stadium a fortnight ago.

The Panthers kicked the first five goals of the game and held Glenelg goalless in the opening half before the Tigers fought back to cut the margin to nine points at the final change.

South Adelaide responded strongly in the final term, kicking four goals to run out 10.2 (62) to 4.11 (35) winners and earn a direct path through to the Grand Final.

There is more good news for the Panthers, with no forced changes from the side that defeated Glenelg. Corey Grocock has also been named in the extended squad after being cleared of a hand injury.

Sunday presents the Panthers with the opportunity to create another piece of club history as they chase their fourth Reserves premiership in the clubs 150th year.

The occasion carries even greater significance with the 2026 season set to be the final SANFL Reserves season before the competition moves to an Under-23 format in 2027.

The Panthers last appeared in a Reserves Grand Final in 2007, also against Glenelg at Football Park. On that occasion, the Tigers claimed the premiership by 38 points.

South Adelaide's most recent Reserves premiership came in 1991, when the Panthers defeated Woodville West-Torrens by two points.

There is also an interesting connection between South Adelaide's previous Reserves premiership sides and the Magarey Medal.

Mark Naley was part of the Panthers' 1979 Reserves premiership side before winning the Magarey Medal in 1991, while Andrew Osborn played in the 1991 premiership and kicked the winning goal before claiming the Magarey Medal in 1998.

The Reserves Grand Final gets underway at 11.00 am on Sunday at Adelaide Oval, following the SANFL Futures game and before the Hostplus SANFL League Grand Final between Norwood and Sturt. Tickets can be purchased via Ticketek here 

Under SANFL regulations, Glenelg has the right to wear its home guernsey after finishing higher on the ladder at the end of the home and away season. As a result, the Panthers will take to Adelaide Oval in their hoops clash guernsey.

The match will be streamed live and on demand through SANFL Now. Use the code SAFCFAN2026 at checkout to receive 10 per cent off.