Lumin Sports Match Report: Reserves Round 1 vs Centrals

Lumin Sports Round 1 Reserves Match Report

South Adelaide vs Central District 
Round 1 - Flinders University Stadium - 2/04/2022

Goals: Gill 6, Gaden, Mitchel
Best: Gill, Lovering, Dumesny, Mutch

There was plenty of new names and plenty of promising signs during the South Adelaide Reserves' narrow 14-point loss to Central District at Flinders University Stadium on Saturday.

Facing off against the reigning Grand Finalist; the Panthers managed to match it with the Bulldogs throughout the day but fell short of a Round One win, 8.8 (56) to 10.10 (70).

Making an impact in his first outing for South was Brian Gill who had 6 kicks for 6 goals.

Other standouts included Tate Lovering (23 disposals, 8 marks), Rhys Mutch (22 disposals, 8 marks) and Zac Dumesny (20 disposals and 9 marks).

After conceding the first goal, Sam Gaden got things going with the Panthers' first major score – however, despite having chances, the side struggled to convert their other chances.

Booting 1.4 (10) to 2.1 (13) in the opening term, the Panthers began turning their fortunes in front of goal around during the second quarter.

Amongst a few scuffles, an interception by Ollie Megins, and some great defensive work by Aaron Douglass – the Panthers found a much-needed goal through Nash Mitchell.

Beginning to build momentum; Gill opened his account with 2 for the quarter – one from a set shot and the other coming from a classy crumb and spearing kick.

And just like that, the Panthers had hit the front by 3 points.

A third-quarter highlight came when Jake Cresswell helped even the odds by winning a 2 versus 5 scenario at halfback – but besides that, most of the third term highlights came from the Doggies camp.

Conceding 5 goals without a reply; South Adelaide entered the final break facing a tough deficit, 4.8 (32) to 9.8 (62).

Trying to mount a comeback, Gill kicked 2 goals within 3 minutes to cut the margin.

He then followed up again with his fifth goal of the day with 7 minutes to play. Max Clifton then cleared it out of the centre – where Gill was waiting to collect and kick his second major in just 90 seconds.

Gill’s sixth of the day brought newfound momentum to the side but they ultimately couldn’t undo the damage that they received during the third term, and they fell to the narrow 14-point loss, 8.8 (56) to 10.10 (70).

The South Adelaide Reserves will be searching for their first win of the year when they face off against North Adelaide at Prospect Oval on Saturday, 9 April, from 11:15 am following the Panther women. 

We're ready for 2022, are you?