Lumin Sports Match Report: Round 9 vs Woodville West Torrens

South Adelaide vs Woodville West Torrens 
Round 9 - Maughan Thiem Kia Oval - 05/06/2022

Click here for the full Gallery thanks to Nick Hook Photography.

Goals: Brooksby, Cresswell, Overall 
Best: Brooksby, Haines, Summerton, O'Neill, Turner 

Hard-fought heartache for South Adelaide as they fell to the reigning premiers by the smallest of margins during a mud-filled and tackle-riddled slog at Maughan Thiem Kia Oval on Sunday.

Playing on what resembled more like a quagmire than an oval: the Panthers battled the elements and the Eagles before ultimately falling to an agonisingly close defeat, 3.9 (27) to 4.4 (28).

Astonishingly, the Panthers laid more tackles than they had kicks during the clash: finishing with 184 kicks and 198 tackles – a testament to how tough they fought.

Luke Bogle (12 disposals, 18 tackles) and Sam Overall (17 tackles, 3 marks) were among those who help the Panthers record a high tackle count. In total, 8 Panthers laid 10 or more tackles during the game.

While around the muddy ground, Keegan Brooksby (36 hit-outs, 6 clearances) and Mitch O’Neill (24 disposals, 15 tackles) were strong contributors.

However, the footy played in the opening term was quick and at stages, silky. A far cry from the highly contested battle that would follow for the next 3 quarters.

The Panthers pounced on the Eagles during the opening minutes of the match. Brooksby was able to collect and snap the opening goal of the day. Minutes later, Jake Cresswell was able to get a boot to the ball to register his first SANFL League goal.

Suddenly, the underdogs were looking like the favourites.

Behind the ball, Harrison Gunther continually plucked out Eagles’ kicks at half-back to keep the home side scoreless: while Joe Haines was busy turning Eagles’ attacks into Panther rebounds. 

But eventually, the Eagles were able to break through with their first goal of the game which cut the Panthers' lead at quarter time to 10 points, 2.4 (16) to 1.0 (6).

Unfortunately, the side lost Sam Ramsay during the early minutes of the quarter – and they would be without him for the rest of the match: leaving them with a rotation, and with a star contributor, down. 

With the rain settling in once again, the stadium lights were forced to come on. Suddenly the match became a night game – despite it being only 3 p.m. As the ball became heavier, and as the oval became more mud than grass – the scores dried up.

It took 17 minutes for the Panthers to break through with another blue and white goal, courtesy of Overall. But – after some strong defending went unrewarded – the Eagles soon replied to stay within a goal of the Panthers.

With the match once again on the line, Jake Summerton showed his mindset when he chased down former AFL and Central District player Menzel – which prevented an almost certain goal. This made sure the Panthers’ narrow lead remained intact at halftime, 3.7 (25) to 3.1 (19).

Only a single goal would be kicked for the remainder of the match: unfortunately, it went the way of the Eagles.

Covered in mud and freezing, the Panthers made a last-ditch attempt in the final quarter to snatch the win. Players kept putting their bodies on the line: whether it was when Cresswell took a gutsy hit to prevent an Eagles rebound or when Ben Heaslip showed nothing but courage when he took a huge knock while running with the flight of the footy.

And all of these small acts nearly resulted in a win: if it wasn’t for the bounce of the ball. After 22 minutes of footy was played in the final term – the siren signalled the heartbreaking 3.9 (27) to 4.4 (28) defeat.

The Panthers will turn their attention toward their Queen’s Birthday clash. During which the side will face the ladder-leading North Adelaide Roosters in a must-win clash at Flinders University Stadium on Monday, 13 June, from 2:10pm.

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